Bisons pick up weekend points

Justin Seward
Times Reporter

 

The UFA Bisons managed to get two ties in their home games this past weekend at the Strathmore Family Centre.
The local triple-A midget team was able gain a 2-2 tie with the Fort Saskatchewan Rangers and a 3-3 tie with the SSAC Athletics on Nov. 8-9.
“We’re still learning our defensive zone,” said assistant coach Sandy Henry. “I think we got a start on it this week. We did make some improvements and our support needs to get a little closer at times. We move the puck in short distances versus trying to get across the rink all the time.”
They had an effective back check all game long and the results showed.
“I thought our back pressure was good (versus SSAC) as we had support coming back and letting our defensemen stand up a little more,” said Henry. “I think we put in the effort, we challenged the guys in the third period to bring a little more passion to this game.”
According to Henry, it was tough settling for a tie after taking a 2-0 lead.
“It feels like a little bit that we gave it away versus earning it,” said Henry. “This a pretty good hockey team we played today, we got a point and it keep us in this tight playoff race – we’re in and everyone is still in it.”
Will Conley scored twice to lead the way for the Bisons, while Trygve Many Guns also tallied for the UFA.
In the first game versus the Rangers, the herd had to play catch up from behind to salvage a tie.
“We had to comeback in that one to get the tie, in a game that we had reasonably good control over early,” said Henry. “I think our expectation coming out of the weekend would’ve been higher than the point level we achieved, but we’re working really hard at practice – but practice isn’t games – and guys feel different levels of pressure in games.”
Kyle Gordon and Davis Sheldon supplied the offence versus Fort Saskatchewan.
Next up for the Bisons is Saturday, Nov. 15 in Lloydminster (4:15 p.m.) and Nov. 16 in Sherwood Park (2 p.m.).