Bisons draw Red Deer

Justin Seward
Times Reporter

 

The CFR Bisons will take on the Red Deer Chiefs in Round 2 of the 2016 AMHL playoffs, in a series where Head Coach Sandy Henry expects his club to be ready to come with intensity and capitalize on their chances in hopes of more wins.
Red Deer swept the season series with the Bisons and Henry said the Chiefs play a basic style of game by getting pucks in, finishing their checks and are good at clustering up their zone around the net.
“We’ve got to find a way to pull that apart,” said Henry.
“They’re a challenge for sure. Red Deer’s always gave us a lot of trouble as a Bison group. This is the first time I remember playing here, where we get home ice. I’m hoping we can use that. I think we skate real well, I’m hoping we can force them to chase us a little bit where they can’t get physical on us so much as long as we’re skating and moving the puck.”
The team has some resemblance to last year’s team, with a similar work ethic and having the advantage of rolling all four lines.
“I think the mentality is there,” said Henry.
“I think having guys that have been there is going to help and there is a good feeling in that room that we can get this accomplished. Moving forward I think we’re going to be leaning on 20 guys to get it done again.”
Henry expects veterans Quaid McBean, Kyle Gordon, Gary Haden, Zach Vinnell, Cam Shorrock and Zach Cox to step up now and assume a leadership role and help the other players get over the hump.
Game 1 took place Feb. 24 in Strathmore, while Game 2 is Feb. 26 in Red Deer at 8 p.m.
Game 3 will be back in Strathmore on Feb. 28 at 2 p.m., Game 4, if necessary, is March 1 at 7:30 p.m. and Game 5, if necessary, will be March 5 at 6:30 p.m. in Strathmore.