Bisons ‘sweep’ their way to the league final

Justin Seward
Times Reporter

 

The UFA Bisons are off to the league final for the first time in 10 years to face the CAC Gregg Distributors, after grinding out a 4-3 win over the Calgary Buffaloes on March 14 in Calgary to sweep the series 3-0.
The Buffaloes threw everything they had, but the Bisons was able play solid defense and got some key saves from Kurtis Chapman to preserve the victory.
Assistant coach Sandy Henry could not have been more proud of this special group and what they have been able to accomplish so far this postseason.
“I’m kind of speechless, it’s just such a tremendous team. We never see anyone give up, we never see anyone thinking we’re done,” said Henry. “I made the comment to some of the guys when they scored the third goal and got ahead of us 3-2, I said ‘geez guys, they sure left a lot of time on the clock for us to win this thing.’ “
The Buffaloes seemed to lose their momentum after they had taken the lead and let the Bisons take control of the game from that point on.
“We started the process where we started hemming them in and all our lines are working hard and we’re getting puck possession time in their zone,” said Henry. “Pretty soon they were icing the puck and (we) worked at them until we got that chance.”
Austin Cameron’s game tying goal could not have come at a more crucial time in the game as the team rallied around that and turned their game up a notch.
“A young guy in that situation and there is that much pressure and that many eyes on you, to have that composure to walk in and set the puck up in a spot like that and he found himself,” he said.
Henry had to give credit to his goaltender for coming up with big saves when he was called upon.
“I thought Kurtis Chapman was very good, I thought the Buffs got a fortunate break on a goal call that in my mind wasn’t in, but we sat the guys down … you know what, it’s 2-2 and we’re going into the third and what kind of a team are we,” said Henry. “We’re always a good team in the third, we will win this game if we put the effort in.”
Cameron, Barrett Sheen, Will Conley and Austin Wong scored in the series clinching victory.
The Herd lost and tied CAC earlier in the year, but Henry is confident in their game plan.
“I like our team against them, they’ve got more size. I don’t think they skate as well as we do and certainly don’t think they move the puck as well as we do,” said Henry.
“Their goaltending looks solid. I think we’re just going to come at them and our game plan will be the same, we’re going to roll our lines as much as we can.”
He added that both teams will be coming out physical and will be a battle in the corners and along the wall.
Game 1 is set for March 20 in Edmonton at the Bill Hunter Arena (7:45 p.m.), while Game 2 is March 22 in Strathmore (2 p.m.). Game 3 will be March 25 back in Edmonton (7:45 p.m.).