Bisons regroup after lengthy break

Times Editor

 

After a disastrous December, the UFA Bisons took time away from the rink and regrouped heading into the 2013 portion of the regular season schedule.

After the first couple of games back, it looks like the break was just what the doctor ordered.

The local triple-A midget team travelled to Northern Alberta and picked up a pair of wins over the Lloydminster Bobcats and the Edmonton SSAC Athletics Jan. 12-13.

“The mentality (was to use the break) as a fresh start,” said Bisons head coach Jeremy Friesen. “We spend a lot of time last week (talking) about where we were, where we thought we should be and (find) some reasons for what has gone on so far.

“We really stressed that now it’s about winning … that’s going to be our purpose for the rest of the season. The guys really bought into that mentality and you can sense it and feel it in the room … there was a lot of positive energy.

“We came up here anticipating getting two wins and we got the job done.”

After playing a ton of hockey to finish 2012, between the regular season and the Macs Midget Hockey Tournament, the Bisons used the break to their advantage.

“It was huge, just in terms of a mental break and a physical break,” said Friesen. “Sometimes when you go through a bunch of adversity like we have, you just need to spend a little time away from each other and come back here and appreciate what we have.

“You need to refocus and recharge your batteries and then come back and reinvest in yourself. One through 20, we had everybody going this weekend.”

According to Friesen, he wanted his team to ignore their record thus far and start 2013 with a clean slate. 

The Bisons got off to strong start when they used three power play goals to up-end the Bobcats 5-3 on Jan. 12.

“They got a little undisciplined and we were rewarded with three power play goals. That’s more power play goals in one game than our previous 15 games combined, so that’s encouraging for us,” joked Friesen. “We moved the puck really well and we created some scoring opportunities.”

According to Friesen, the Bisons practiced their special teams against the Wheatland Chiefs double-A midget team during the break and the results paid off.

“It was a fresh idea … they don’t know what we like to do on our penalty kill or power play and vice-versa for us,” said the coach. “So it (was great) for practicing and trying to execute under pressure and developing that sense of urgency. It really helped us and put things into perspective.”

The Bisons capped off the weekend with a solid 4-3 win over the Athletics on Jan. 13.

“It might have been our most consistent game of the (season),” said Friesen. “We had two breakdowns in the second period that they capitalized on, but our guys didn’t break. We didn’t get on the fence like we used to – we got right back to work and capitalized on our chances.”

The Bisons will look to get back on track at the Strathmore Family Centre this coming weekend when they host a pair of divisional rivals.

The Herd will take on the Lethbridge Pronghorns on Jan 19 (5:15 p.m.) before tangling with the Calgary NW Flames the following day (2 p.m.).