Bisons defeat Flames, face Chiefs

Times Reporter   

 

The UFA Bisons rolled through their first playoffs challenge against the Calgary Flames, winning the best of three series in two straight. During those two games, the Bisons scored 14 goals, and only allowed three.

“We’re trying to step it up for the playoffs here, and score more goals,” Bisons coach Dan MacDonald said. “We did the things we’re looking to do.”

At home on Feb. 19, the Bisons were victorious by a score of 8-1; Mackenzie Bauer had two goals and two assists, while Tristan Thompson also had four points. With the Flames taking 17 penalties, the Bisons capitalized with four powerplay markers.

“In the playoffs, your powerplay has to work,” MacDonald said. “Those are our powerplay guys – Mason McCarty, Matt Forchuk, Tristan Thompson, Mackenzie Bauer and Connor Boyd. They play the most powerplay time. We’re really counting on them to be effective.”

The Bisons again used the powerplay to their advantage on Feb. 22, in their 6-2 win for the end to the series – Bauer and Thompson had two goals each. Ryan Zeniuk also contributed with one goal and two assists.

“We’ve been working hard at being better on the powerplay. It seemed to work really well against those guys,” MacDonald said. “When we skate like we do, they take more penalties against you to slow you down. We have to look to our powerplay to make a difference.”

Next up for the semi-finals are the Red Deer Optimist Chiefs – Dan MacDonald’s former team. The Bisons suffered against Red Deer this season, losing 4-2 on Oct. 12, and 6-5 on Jan. 19.

“You want to beat them even more,” MacDonald said about facing his old squad. “They’re a good team. I don’t know if we’re nervous but we feel confident that we can play with them. It’s just a matter of, when we do get a lead, to keep it. The (Chiefs) get better when the going gets tougher.”

The Chiefs had a bye to the second round, and have yet to see playoff action. They finished first place in the Chrysler Division with a 22-7-6 record, as opposed to the Bisons’ 21-11-3.

“We have to play the way we play best. We have to move the puck and move our feet. We’re a fast-skating team, and we have to come at them real fast. We can’t lay back, we have to go after them – that’s what our plan is,” MacDonald said.

Game 1 of the best-of-five series began in Red Deer on Feb. 26 (result not available as of press time). Game 2 is back at the Strathmore Family Centre on Feb. 28 (8 p.m.), while Game 3 is in Red Deer on March 2 (3 p.m.)

Games 4&5, if necessary, will take place on March 4 (7:30 p.m.) at the Strathmore Family Centre and March 7 (8 p.m.) in Red Deer.

The winner of the series will face off against either the Calgary Buffaloes or the Calgary Royals.