Overtime continues to be kind to the Foothills CFR Chemicals Bisons.
The Bisons rode consecutive triumphs in the extra-session to dispatch the top-seed Calgary Buffaloes in four games in the Alberta Midget ‘AAA’ Hockey League South Final.
MD of Foothills resident Tyson Terretta, who had just one regular season goal, played double overtime hero in Foothills’ Game 3 triumph by a 3-2 score on March 14 at Cardel Rec Centre.
Okotoks’ Jackson Salt forced overtime with an equalizing marker late in the second period.
Goaltender Ben Laidlaw continued his stellar playoff form with a 52-save effort in the win.
The Bisons then took the first opportunity to eliminate the Buffs on home-ice.
Brandon Machado capped off a dramatic come-from-behind win by the same 3-2 score in double overtime on March 16 at the Strathmore Family Centre.
Turner Valley’s Tyson Scott opened the scoring only to see the Buffs respond with a pair in the middle frame to take the lead.
Salt again proved to be crucial in the clutch.
The gritty winger beat the buzzer with five seconds left in regulation to force overtime.
That set the stage for Machado’s heroics on a feed from puck-moving defenceman Cole Clayton at the 11:08 mark of the second overtime period to sew up the series in four games.
Awaiting the Bisons in the final was somewhat of a surprise opponent.
The Leduc Oil Kings, who finished with a sub-five hundred record in the regular season, pulled off a significant upset in edging out the Sherwood Park J. Ennis Kings in a three-game sweep in the North final.
Leduc proved it belonged in the final from the outset.
The Oil Kings got the early jump in the AMHL championship series by taking the series opener by a 3-1 score Sunday on the road.
Jaden York, Tyler Schendel and Dillon Hamaliuk scored for Leduc while Machado answered for the Bisons.
Game 2 of the best-of-five final is March 22. Game 3 is back in Strathmore on March 24. If the series goes the distance Game 5 is on Bisons home ice on March 27.
For more information go to bisonshockey.com
