No first-game jitters for Tarvyd

Tyler Lowey
Times Reporter

 

CFR Chemicals Bisons goaltender Hunter Young was sidelined a week and a half ago after taking a slapshot in the mask, resulting in a concussion. The injury opened the door for hometown kid Ty Tarvyd.
“I didn’t think much of it. I just treated it like any other hockey game,” said Tarvyd.
His first start was a successful one as the Bisons brushed back the Lloydminster Bandit Energy Bobcats 6-3 Nov. 12 at the Strathmore Family Centre.
The Bisons (12-0-2) called up Tarvyd last weekend for the Alberta Midget Hockey League (AMHL) showcase in Sherwood Park.
“We were going to try and fit him in last weekend, but the opportunity wasn’t there,” said Bisons assistant coach Mike Langen. “Ty has been out to practice a few times and we had full confidence in him tonight.”
Tarvyd is currently the top goaltender in the South Central Alberta Hockey League. Playing for the Wheatland Athletic Association Chiefs, Tarvyd has posted a George Hainsworth-ian 0.87 goals against average, 0.96 save percentage and a 6-0-1 record.
He was able to get his first few saves early on shots from the perimeter.
His first test came in the first period when winger Zach Huber was sent away for slashing.
“I wasn’t intimidated, it was just like any other penalty kill, except these guys were a little bit bigger,” said Tarvyd.
Following a scoreless second, Bobcats forward Easton Haygarth was chopped at on a breakaway and was rewarded with a penalty shot.
“I’ve had plenty of penalty shots before. I’m not the biggest guy in the world, so I just try to be as aggressive as I can and cut down the angles,” said Tarvyd. “The key is to be patient and let them make the first move.”
Tarvyd challenged, coming out more than 10 feet in front of his crease. Haygarth tried a handful of moves and lost control of the puck.
However, Haygarth would get his revenge the next shift. Blake Fletcher teed one up from the point and the rebound kicked right out to Haygarth at the side, who had a gaping net to shoot at, tying it at two.
That was also the second goal that the Bisons top line of Payton Krebs, Jackson Salt and Huber were on the ice for.
“We just stayed calm, stuck to our game and knew things were going to go our way eventually,” said Salt, who netted the third goal on a rebound opportunity from Krebs and Huber. It was the second goal of the night for the first line; Huber popped on in at the end of the first period.
For Salt, these games carry a little more weight than others. The Bobcats shut out the Bisons, sweeping them in three games during in the AMHL final last season.
“The six guys in that locker room who were there last year and the way it finished, these wins mean a little extra for sure,” said Langen.
“It’s all about the logo. Every time I see it, I just want to pound the crap out of them,” said Salt, who is tied for 10th in league scoring with five goals and 14 points.
Boaz Bassen, Tyson Scott, Blake Wells and Brandon Machado each found the back of the net. It was Machado’s first game back since missing some time with the flu.
Tarvyd’s teammate on the Chiefs, Kelton Travis, was also called up to fill in for Cayde Augustine, who was out with a hand injury after blocking a shot the night earlier, as the Bobcats slip to 3-10-1.
The Bisons laid out the Grand Prairie Ernies Sports Strom 5-1 Nov. 11 at the Strathmore Family Centre.
Ben Laidlaw started between the pipes and picked up his league-tying seventh win, recording 19 saves. He owns a 0.937 save percentage and a 1.88 GAA.
Bassen opened the scoring and finished with a strong weekend with his new line mates Wells and Krahenbil. It shouldn’t be a shock that the Peoria, Ill. native has started rolling; he just witnessed his Chicago Cubs win their first World Series in 108 years.
Other goals came from Brett Trentham, Wells, Scott and Salt, with assists to Wells, Krahenbil, Salt, Landon Melzer and Tarun Fizer.
The Storm slide to 5-7-2 in fourth place in the Dodge division.
For the Bisons, it’s a rematch with the Ernies Sports Strom Nov. 19 at the Grande Peace Athletic Club, followed by another road game Nov. 20 against the MLAC Beverly Optimists (5-8-1) at Bill Hunter Arena.