Bisons back to winning

Times Reporter   

 

The UFA Bisons had a successful road-trip to Edmonton, defeating the Knights of Columbus Pats 6-3 on Jan. 11, and the MLAC United Cycle Maple Leafs by a score of 8-3 the next day.

In the 6-3 victory, team captain Mackenzie Bauer scored a hat-trick, including one on the powerplay.

“We got Mackenzie back, that was helpful,” Bisons coach Dan MacDonald said. “He got to play in the Mac’s, and then he got sick with the flu. So he hasn’t played much in the last two months. Him getting a chance to participate helped.”

Troy van Tetering added a goal, while Mason McCarty scored the other two. McCarty returned to play earlier in January, after having missed the Mac’s Tournament with a wrist injury. McCarty notched another two in the win over MLAC, as did call up Markus Lavallee from the Rockyview Raiders of the AMMHL, including the game winner.

“He was called up because we do have injuries, but also because he’s played really well with the 15’s,” MacDonald said. “If they play well, and we need an extra player, they get a chance. He did a really well with us in that game.”

Lavallee has 13 points in 20 games this season for the Raiders, and may stay in the lineup due to illnesses to Ryan Zeniuk and Connor Boyd.

“They got the flu, and it’s just not going away,” MacDonald said. “They’re not able to practice, that’s just the way it is.”

Zeniuk and Boyd are expected back in February, after the Bisons have a week off following a matchup against the Canadian Olympic Women’s Team on Jan. 17 at Winsport in Calgary.

“They really play well defensively,” MacDonald said of the ladies. “We’re going to have to play like we did last weekend. We have to do things to create goals – drive the net, and play the puck real well. If we do that, then we’ll be okay. They’ll play good defensively, that’s what they do best.”

The teams next home game is Jan. 19 (2 p.m.) versus Red Deer.