Bisons second to Olympic team

Times Reporter   

 

In the Canadian Women’s Olympic team tournament, the UFA Bisons respectfully placed second, losing 4-1 in the final to the women. Three AMHL teams, including the local triple-A midget team, battled the Olympic team from Sept. 19-22 at the Markin MacPhail Centre in Calgary.

In round robin, the Bisons were victorious over the Southeast Tigers 4-2, and the Calgary Flames 4-3. 

They dropped to the Women’s Olympic team 7-4 before playing them in the final. 

Head Coach of the Olympic team, Dan Church, said the tournament was a great success.

“Hopefully it’s been good for the midget teams as well, trying to figure out some of their early season rosters, and getting to see them in some good competition,” Church said. “Our games against them have been really fast paced, and put us under a lot of pressure.”

Playing four games in four days had both the Bisons and the Olympians tired by the third period. Leading up to the Olympics, the women will play Midget AAA teams roughly 30 times.

“It’s a huge plus for us, it’s a major factor in our preparation for the Olympics to play games that are close and meaningful and fast and physical,” Church said.

Speedy games are Church’s best preparation for the United States in the Olympics, though good rivalries have come from the AMHL as well.

“They play a lot like the United States. It can get chippy and competitive, but the speed is the biggest thing,” he said. “It’s been a great partnership for us and the Alberta Midget Hockey League; really meaningful games that help us get better – push our pace and decision making.”

Team Canada will be cut from 27 down to 21 for the Olympics in December; the UFA Bisons made their final cuts on Sept. 23.