Bisons ready for the New Year

Times Editor

 

Despite a 2-5-2 record in league play during the month of December and an 0-2-2 mark during the recent Mac’s Midget Hockey Tournament, the UFA Bisons are optimistic heading into January.

After a grueling month of hockey with a lot of games being played, the local triple-A midget team has only eight contests remaining in their Alberta Midget Hockey League schedule.

With so much hockey played, Bisons coach Jeremy Friesen was thrilled that the team could finally have a break and take time away from the rink.

“We (didn’t) come back until Jan. 7, so we’ll basically start from scratch there,” said Friesen. “We’ll go right back to basics and (essentially) run a mini training camp.

“We then head out on the road, which is perfect, do some team building up in Edmonton, make a weekend out of it and just enjoy it.

“We’ve been at the rink so often (last month) and there have been so many things happen, it’s going to be good to step back and say ‘okay, we’ve been there, we’ve done that.’ “

According to Friesen, the strength of his team is depth. There is not one superstar doing all the scoring. He believes that will help the team in the long run.

“There are other teams having success at (the Macs) and our league, playing primarily with two lines. What’s going to happen when you get into a playoffs series when that line (or two) gets shut down?” question Friesen. “Who is going to be able to step up and elevate? That’s why we focus on our entire group, our entire 20 (players). On any given night, someone had the ability to step up and make a difference.

“That’s what it takes to be successful come playoff time.”

The Bisons will get back to league action this weekend when they head on the road to face Lloydminster and the SSAC Athletics Jan. 12-13.

The Herd will return home Jan. 19 (5:15 p.m.) when they host Lethbridge and Jan. 20 (2 p.m.) against the Calgary Flames.