The Herd struggle in tournament

Times Reporter   

 

The UFA Bisons held their exhibition tournament on Sept. 11-14 and now know that there is a lot of work still to be done. 

If there is something positive to take out of the games it is the effort was there and the team now has a measuring stick as to where they stand with the other organizations in the Alberta Midget Hockey League (AMHL).

“We got a lot of work to do, I mean that’s what you find out with exhibition games early in the season, you’re trying all kinds of players. Some players are playing out of position because they’re good athletes and you’d like to see them play somewhere where they’re not as used to,” said Bisons coach Dan MacDonald.

After going 1-3-1 in the tournament, there is every reason for concern for MacDonald and his staff with choosing the right players to represent the team this season.

“The first concern for this is are we going to pick the right guys. We’re not scoring goals, but the reality is we did not do enough things that goal scorers do,” said MacDonald.

He admits, it being so early in the season, there will be many periods of adjustment until the team understands how to win.

“There is a lot trials and of course we would like to win more games, but you’re always trying to win. It’s a competitive game and you look to see the bottom line,” said MacDonald.

The Bisons opened up the tournament on Sept. 11 with a 2-2 draw with the Red Deer Chiefs, then lost a close one 2-1 to the Calgary Northstars. In the final round robin game they lost 4-3 to the Calgary Buffaloes. The Bison lost 3-1 to the Calgary Northstars in the semi-final before pulling out a 6-3 win over the Buffaloes to close out the tournament.

They have three exhibition games left on the road in Calgary against the Northstars on Wednesday Sept. 17, then play Medicine Hat on Friday and back to Calgary to play the Royals on Saturday before the official team has to be picked.