Bisons take part in National Championship

Justin Seward
Times Reporter

 

The UFA Bisons wrapped up their fantastic 2014-2015 season with a berth in the national championship, the Telus Cup, April 20-26 in Rivière-du-Loup, Que.
The local triple-A midget team capped off the round robin portion of the tournament with a 3-2 record, qualifying for the playoffs. Here is a summary for each contest the Bisons played in (Games 1&2 appeared in last week’s issue of the Strathmore Times).

 

Telus Cup Game 3 (April 22):
UFA Bisons vs. Regina Pat Canadians
A day after coming off of a convincing win over the host team, the UFA Bisons knew they were up against a perennial powerhouse in the Regina Pat Canadians.
The Pats made the Bisons pay for their penalties and found the back of the net three times on special teams, en route to a 4-2 win.
Assistant coach Doug Raycroft liked the start but admits the penalties prevented the team from having any momentum in the game.
“I think we started really well in the first period. We had eight minutes in penalties we had to kill in the first and that really wrecked our flow,” said Raycroft. “The second period was pretty decent again. In the third period we got into penalty trouble again and they got three power play goals on us and that was the difference in the game.”
Austin Wong and Barrett Sheen scored in their second defeat of the tournament.

 

Telus Cup Game 4 (April 23):
UFA Bisons vs. Newbridge Academy Gladiators
The UFA Bisons once again showed that they have a short-term memory when it comes to defeats in the Telus Cup as they took care of business with a 6-2 win over the Newbridge Academy Gladiators.
“I think we’ve been real resilient this way all year. We’ve always had the ability to bounce back and refocus ourselves,” said assistant coach Sandy Henry.
Forward Zachary Vinnell felt that they went back to the Bison brand of hockey that made them successful all year long.
“We just stuck to the game plan and played our type of hockey,” said Vinnell. “That’s fast-moving hockey, getting dirty, and that’s how we got it done.”
Vinnell notched a goal and two assists, while Austin Cameron, Trygve Many Guns, Kyle Gordon, Markus Lavallee and Gary Haden supplied one each.

 

Telus Cup Game 5 (April 24):
UFA Bisons vs. Toronto Young Nationals
Netminder Cody Campbell was glad to get some game action and did very well as he turned away 40 of 43 shots in a Bisons 5-3 win in the final round robin game.
“It was just fantastic, I’ve been waiting a pretty long time and was nice to get in there, especially when the team plays like that in front of me,” said Campbell. “It really gives me a chance to shine and when everybody plays like we play.”
Assistant coach Dave Atwood believed it was beneficial to have the early game so the players can have the day to rest-up for the semifinal.
“The games early in the morning so that’s good for our team because now we have a whole day to rest for tomorrow,” said Atwood. “It was good for us to come in and get a win and to feel good about ourselves so when we play in that semi-final tomorrow we’re going in on a high.”
Cole Noble, Jordan McConnell, Gary Haden, Zachary Vinnell and Will Conley scored for the Bisons.

 

Telus Cup Semifinal (April 25):
UFA Bisons vs. Grandiers De Chateauguay
The Herd was looking to get redemption on the Quebec representatives at the semifinals at the Telus Cup.
Unfortunately, it just was not meant to be for the Bisons as they fell 7-1.
Head coach Dan MacDonald admits it was not their day and they got beat by a better opponent.
“The other team was exceptional, that’s the best midget team I’ve witnessed and I’ve been here five times. The way they move, skate and handle themselves, we weren’t a match for them today,” said MacDonald. “That’s what happens when you go nationals, you run into players that you haven’t seen before and are going to go to the NHL.”
The Grandiers seemed to have underrated offense the whole tournament and came out explosive with an output the Bisons could not match.
“They had urgency that was beyond what they showed us before,” said MacDonald. “I guess when you have that kind of talent you suck it up and a way you go.”
Captain Shane Fraser scored a shorthanded tally for the Bisons.

 

Telus Cup Bronze Medal Game (April 26):
UFA Bisons vs. Regina Pat Canadians
The UFA Bisons did not end the Telus Cup like they had hoped, as they watch the Regina Pat Canadians capture the bronze with a 6-3 victory.
Despite all that a side, the team should be proud of placing fourth out of 142 teams teams.
“The fact that you get here is a real major accomplishment. It’s so hard to get here and then you find out how good you have to be when you get here,” said MacDonald.
Captian Shane Fraser could not be any happier to have captained this special group to this tournament.
It’s still pretty disappointing not getting a medal in the tournament but I’m still pretty proud of everyone in the room,” said Fraser.
Davis Sheldon scored two while Josh Bishop added one for the Bisons.