Bisons fall at Mac’s

Times Reporter   

 

UFA Bisons vs Sherwood Park J Ennis Kings

Dec. 26 @ Max Bell Centre

The UFA Bisons were up 3-1 at the end of the 20 minutes during their first game at the 36th annual Mac’s Tournament in Calgary, with goals coming from Clay Murray, Chad Harrison and Ryan Zeniuk. However, the Sherwood Park Kings stormed back in the second period with a three-goal effort, including two on the man advantage. Mackenzie Bauer was able to tie up the game short handed with three minutes remaining in the third period. The final stood at a 4-4 tie.

The Bisons took six penalties in the second, and 11 in the entire game. 

“We sat in the penalty box most of the second period. That was the issue,” Bisons coach Dan MacDonald said. “They’re a very good team, with a really good powerplay.”

Goaltender Garrett Mason kept the Bisons in it, stopping 35 of 40 shots; the Bisons only managed 25. 

The Bisons had lost to Sherwood Park in AMHL play on Oct. 5, by a score of 6-3, and had a shutout tie against them on Nov. 23; MacDonald and his squad were familiar with they play, and noted that their style of hockey is very similar to their own.

“We don’t change our style,” MacDonald said. “We only know one way, and we do it the best we can.”

 

UFA Bisons vs Regina Pat Canadians

Dec. 27 @ Max Bell Centre

After Carter Seminuk allowed two goals on four Regina Pat Canadians’ shots, UFA Bisons’ Coach switched to Garret Mason at the 11-minute mark. Mason went on to allow one more goal in the first period, but stopped 25 others for the remainder of the game. The Bisons, down 3-0, came back to tie yet another game at the Mac’s Tournament, with defenseman Tristan Thompson leading the way with two goals and several hits. Mackenzie Bauer notched the game-tying marker.

“Garret played really well,” said Bisons coach Dan MacDonald. “He came in and did a really good job for us. It’s just too bad that Carter’s sick today because he’s played really well too. We got two good goaltenders, we just have to score more than three goals and we’ll be good.”

Penalties again were a problem for the Bisons; they had 28 minutes in the box.

“It depends on how close they call things. The guys are trying hard, both teams,” MacDonald said. “They’re young guys, they’re trying to impress, and they don’t want to show anyone that they’re going to back down or give up.”

 

UFA Bisons vs CAC Gregg Distributors

Dec. 29 @ Father David Bauer Arena

The UFA Bisons were still looking for a win at the Mac’s Tournament, with two ties prior to a loss against the CAC Gregg Distributors, 5-4. The Bisons began with a two-goal lead thanks to powerplay markers by Mackenzie Bauer and Clay Murray, but it was 5-2 by the end of the second period for CAC. David Sheldon scored halfway through the third, and Matthew Forchuk on the powerplay put the Bisons within one with a minute remaining. The Bisons failed to tie, with 32 shots on net. Bisons coach Dan McDonald thinks having star player Mason McCarty out of the lineup for the entirety of the Mac’s Tournament is a large negative to the team.

“We’re out of sync right now – too many days off, not enough practices. Also, we’re missing McCarty,” MacDonald said. “He gets us going. We’ve tied two and lost by one goal, he really helps us. By the third game, you know he’s not there. He’s a valuable member of our team. It’s hard to replace your leading scorer.”

MacDonald also noted that with Carter Seminuk sick, all goaltending has fell to the shoulders of Garret Mason. During league play, the goalies typically alternate.

The Bisons however played a much more disciplined game against CAC, taking only three penalties throughout the game.

“The guys are doing well and they’re trying their best, it’s just not coming out our way right now,” MacDonald said. “I think we should have won both the games we tied. We’re done now. We would have had to win that game, and we didn’t.”