Bisons get first round bye

Justin Seward

Times Reporter

 

The CFR Bisons got a glimpse of what postseason hockey will look like after playing a couple of desperate Northern Division opponents who threw everything they had at them to try to earn a spot in the second season.
The club beat the Leduc Oil Kings 4-2 on Feb. 13, but fell to the MLAC Beverly Optimists 2-0 on Feb. 14. Despite the loss they were able to lock up second place and a first round bye to start the playoffs.
Bisons general manager Wayne Hansen said the Oil Kings came out hard and the boys came ready to match the intensity, and it showed as they found themselves up 3-0 after two periods.
“Leduc got into some penalty troubles and we scored three power play goals, which really hurt them,” said Hansen. “They took a four minute penalty and we scored twice on it and had them on their heels. We took our foot off the gas a little bit in the third period which was a great teaching thing for us because in this league if you don’t go hard for 60 minutes you could find yourself in trouble.”
One strong trait for the boys all game long was when their defensemen were able to hit the forwards in stride with tape-to-tape passes, while the forwards made an impact on the back check.
Hansen added that one thing that helped the team in coming out with the win was the ability to refocus and not panic when Leduc scored two goals. The credit not only goes to the captains, but other players for stepping up to rejuvenate the bench with their play.
Tyson Scott, Liam Izyk, Brett Trentham and Cole Clayton scored in the win.
The game against MLAC had a playoff feel to it as there were quite a few fans of both teams in attendance to see a fast-paced, physical contest.
“At the end of the day we probably got out goaltended,” said Hansen.
“Our guys learned even though you fight hard sometimes you lose and there’s lessons to be learned in that and those lessons are plain and simple, that as long as you keep working hard and you get your chances you should be alright.”
The Bisons are the defending league champions and they will carry a target on their backs.
Hansen said they will have discussions with the team about preparation, but it will be important for them to have fun and stay loose.
There will be have to be a focus on being mentally and physically ready to battle and give it their best when they step on the ice, especially for those first-year players who haven’t experienced this type of intensity before.
“We’re really going to rely on our vets to pull these guys along,” said Hansen. “If they see maybe they’re struggling a little bit mentally, they’ll get them refocused. They need to lead by example.”
Veteran defenseman Quaid McBean said the team was in a good mindset in both games and played as if it was playoffs in battling, taking hits, blocking shots and playing physical.
He added that with the bye, it will be nice to get some rest and practices in before their first game.
“Everybody is excited for this time of year,” said McBean.
“It’s a different kind of game when it comes to playoffs. Everybody is battling that much harder. Everybody’s paying the price. I think every guy in this room will end up dong that.”
Game 1 of Round 2 will be played at the Strathmore Family Centre on Feb. 24 at 6:30 p.m.