MacDonald loses to former team

Times Reporter   

 

Riding a high from defeating the Canadian National Women’s Team on Jan. 17 in a shootout, the UFA Bisons could not handle their coach’s previous team, as they lost 6-5 to the Red Deer Optimist Chiefs at home on Jan. 19. The Chiefs had four powerplay goals, including the game winner with six minutes remaining, after Shane Fraser was assessed a kneeing penalty.

“We don’t want to lose to those guys. I know all those guys,” said Bisons coach Dan MacDonald. “They’re a good team – they’re first place for a reason. We’re fighting with them for first, but I just think that they’re a little bit further advanced than we are right now.”

The Bisons had two powerplay markers of their own, from Tristan Thompson and Mackenzie Bauer; Mason McCarty and William Conley also found the back of the net. Bauer finished with another goal and two assists – a four point night.

“We always have a couple players that we need out, and they have a full team,” MacDonald said of Red Deer. “We need our whole team to be as good as they are.”

Connor Boyd remains out with a cyst on his back, but began practicing again this week. He’s anticipated to return at the beginning of February. Ryan Zeniuk is off the bench with the flu and an ear infection, and should return soon as well.

“They’re a big part of our team. You miss them,” said MacDonald of his two assistant captains. “We haven’t played with a full team much this year. Just a couple times.”

The Bisons have a week off for exams, and have their next game Feb. 1 against the Calgary Buffaloes. Three games remain in the regular season after that, against the Calgary Flames, the St. Albert Sports Raiders, and CAC Gregg Distributors.

“Right now we’re in second by one point,” MacDonald said. “The Royals have one game in hand, so who knows? That’s how tight it is. We’ve got to win those games.”

With 41 points and a 19-9-3 record, the Bisons know they have qualified for the playoffs; what’s not known is where they will finish in the standings and if they will receive a bye in the first round (as only the top two teams in each division do).

“These last four games become very important for us. We have to play tighter. We’re scoring more goals now, we wanted to do that,” MacDonald said, with the return of Bauer and McCarty to the lineup. “We’re not playing tight enough in our own end, we have to shore those things up.”