Bisons sweep Flames

Times Editor 

 

The UFA Bisons only needed two games to eliminate their first round playoff opponent, the Calgary NW Flames.

Led by solid goaltending and strong special teams, the local triple-A midget team clearly elevated their game once the post-season started.

Here is a breakdown of the first two games.

 

Game 1 – Calgary Flames 

vs UFA Bisons

Feb. 21 @ Strathmore Family Centre

Going into the post-season, UFA Bisons head coach Jeremy Friesen predicted the winner of the series would have solid goaltending and a top-notch special teams. 

In Game 1, the UFA Bisons used both of those things to top the Calgary Flames 4-2.

“I was really impressed with the power play … the guys understood the magnitude of the situation and we got rewarded,” said Friesen. “It’s one of those things, if we can ride that momentum and keep breaking them apart, take it to the net like we were, then I think we’re going to be successful.

“That’s what it was, just quick puck movement, the willingness to go to the net and really create chances for ourselves.”

Mackenzie Bauer and Connor Boyd each scored once and added an assist, while Mason McCarty and Mark McLeod also tallied for the Bisons. Connor Tudor chipped in with a pair of helpers, while goaltender Richard Palmer stood tall, making 29 saves to preserve the win.

“It’s always good to get the series lead and build some confidence,” said forward Matt Forchuk, who collected a key assist on the opening goal. “We were moving the puck quick (on the power play) and there was always a guy in front of the net. We were working hard when we lost the puck, just trying to get it back. We were puck hungry.”

 

Game 2 – UFA Bisons 

vs Calgary Flames

Feb. 23 @ Father David Bauer

The UFA Bisons collected a goal each period, including a power play marker in the second frame, en route to a 3-1 win in Game 2, clinching the best-of-three series 2-0.

With the win, the Bisons avoid the winner-take-all Game 3 and earned a couple extra days rest before the second round best-of-five series versus the defending National Champions, the Red Deer Chiefs.

“Today’s game is exactly what playoff hockey is about,” said Friesen. “It was very physical, the ref let us play. I was proud of the way that we responded and that first goal in the first period is huge for our team – I think we’re 14-0-0 when we come out of the first period with the lead. We know that is a key driver for our success and it’s good that the guys found a way to do that in both games this series.”

Bauer and Boyd each scored for the second consecutive game, while Tudor scored the game winner while on the power play. Palmer made 26 saves to preserve the win.

“It was huge, series are all about momentum and if they won today, they would have had a whole bunch of momentum and confidence going into Game 3,” said captain Markson Bechtold, who was dominant in Game 2. “So it was good to finish it off today and have that killer instinct. The focus (going into the game) was to stay within our structure, play our game and we knew the outcome could only be Bisons. When we play our system we’re unbeatable.”