Bisons start season with back-to-back wins

Tyler Lowey
Times Reporter

 

The goal lamps were put to the test in the first weekend of the Alberta Midget Hockey League, as the CFR Chemical Bisons poured in 10 goals over two games at the Strathmore Family Centre.
“I really like how we played together and as a team this weekend,” said Bisons forward Jackson Salt. “Those were two good wins for the boys.”
The Bisons tamed the SEAC Tigers 4-2 Sunday afternoon (Oct. 2) wrapping up weekend play.
A point shot from Cayde Augustine was deflected downwards in front by Salt to put the Bisons on the board in the first.
Salt wasn’t done there with the fine stick work as he skated in on the Tigers defence, faked a shot, stepped through a defender and flipped the puck over Tigers netminder Nelson Schiller for the pretty individual effort.
“We got a lot of creative guys on this team. When it works, it works and it looks great. We aren’t going to try and take any creativity out of the game,” said Bisons head coach Sandy Henry. “When you got a guy 1-on-1, go on and try some stuff and see what happens.”
Bisons captain Brent Trentham added a second-period tally from Joel Krahenbil, extending the lead to 3-0 heading into the third.
Seven minutes in, Tyler Petrie used his body to protect the puck coming out of the corner, as he stormed towards the net. His initial shot was stopped, but he stayed with it and banged home the rebound.
“We got a little loose once we got up 4-0,” said Henry. “Maybe we thought we had a little bit more space than we actually did, I’m not sure. That’s when we got into a bit of trouble.”
For the majority of the game, Bisons goaltender Hunter Young had it pretty easy – he only faced 13 shots through the first two frames, most of the non-threatening variety.
“The boys played well. They kept it tight on dee and didn’t allow too many pucks to come to the net,” said Young. “The less shots, the better.”
The Tigers (0-1-1) made a late push in the third while on the man advantage.
Halfway through the frame, Aiden Gleisner was rewarded for crashing the net and pounding away at a few rebounds in tight. Four minutes later, Austin Strang blasted a point shot past a completely screened Young.
“As soon as we learn to manage the puck a little bit better in certain spots, we will be much better. We got to be a little bit more disciplined with our leads,” said Henry. “But, we came into the weekend hoping for four points and we got what we asked for. At the end of the day, that’s all that matters.”
The Bisons dusted the Lethbridge AAA Hurricanes 6-1 on Oct. 1 in their regular season opener.
Boaz Bassen tallied a pair of goals while Tarun Fizer netted a goal and two helpers. Kaden Hanas chipped in with a goal and an assist, with remaining scoring coming from Zach Huber (1G), Petrie (1G), Peyton Krebs (1A), Brandon Machado (2A), Tyson Scott (2A) and Tyson Terretta (1A).
Cochrane product Ben Laidlaw got the call in the crease and turned away 18 of 19 shots.
The Hurricanes sit 0-2 on the young season.
The Bisons will get their first taste of life on the road when they take on the CAC Gregg Distributors (0-2) Saturday (Oct. 8) at Sherwood Park Arena. Next, they head to the Leduc Recreation Centre Sobeys Arena to battle the Leduc Chrysler Oil Kings (1-1) the following day. The Bisons went 1-0-1 last season against the Oil Kings and Distributors.
The next home game goes Oct. 21, when they host the Oil Kings.