The timing couldn’t have been better.
On a Sunday celebration of the 10th anniversary of the Okotoks Recreation Centre expansion, the Okotoks Jr. B Bisons put forth a vintage performance in a 5-3 triumph over the Stettler Lightning with the top line of Connor Tudor, Kyle Becker and Josh McCulloch combining for all five markers.
“Right now we’re getting the feet moving and pucks in deep,” said Tudor, an alternate captain on the club. “Before we were playing to the perimeter and coaches got on our case about becoming a little more gritty, getting in the corners and using our points.”
The top unit didn’t waste any time setting a tone on Sunday.
Tudor found the back of the net on a bad angle shot on the powerplay just 30 seconds from puck-drop. McCulloch doubled the lead in short order, unleashing his patented wristshot over Stettler netminder Jordan McCallum’s glove hand.
The Lightning got one back 13 seconds into the second period for a momentary shot of life for the visiting squad.
McCulloch quickly re-established the two-goal advantage. Again on the powerplay, the former Calgary Mustang winger squeaked his shot past a sliding McCallum on a backdoor set-up from defenceman Jaret Bordt. Forty seconds later the Bisons were again celebrating a marker as Becker was first to a rebound in the slot to make it a three-goal cushion.
Tudor added his second of the evening on a wicked deflection early in the final frame.
Stettler added a couple late consolation markers, but only managed to get three of its 48 shots past Okotoks’ Matthew McDonald in goal.
The third seed in the South, Okotoks (6-3) improved its record to 4-1 against North Division opponents with the victory.
“You never know what they’re coming to the table with,” Tudor said of northern squads. “It’s fun playing the North. They’re physical and that physical aspect of the game brings back that retro Junior B feel to the game.”
They might want to think about scheduling more games with the north after the top line finished with nine points in the triumph.
McCulloch now leads the team with nine goals and 21 points in 10 games.
He’s proven to be a perfect triggerman for his hard-working linemates.
“He’s a goal scorer for sure, he knows how to put the puck in the net,” Tudor said. “With me and Becker on the line we create a lot of momentum and open ice to give him a lot of time and space with the puck.”
Becker, meanwhile, is enjoying his best stint in parts of three seasons with the Bisons.
The diminutive forward’s 12 points in eight games is nearly half of last year’s totals.
“He’s grown into his temperament and personality,” Tudor said. “Size being a factor, he doesn’t really have it, but he plays like he’s six-foot-four.
“Junior is really perfect for him. He can do his job in the corner, he can fight, he loves all that stuff.”
Okotoks needed every ounce of energy it had to squeak out a less than comprehensive 6-4 road victory over the Ponoka Stampeders on Saturday evening.
“That was a tough start to the weekend,” said Bisons forward Matthew Balagus. “It was the first long road game to get to Ponoka, but it was important we got the two points.”
The first-year Bison registered his first goal with the club in timely fashion, netting the fifth and game-winning tally for the visitors. Robbie McLean scored a pair, Tyler Rohl and Kyle Harrison also found the back of the net in the win.
“It feels like you’ve got to keep burying them and as soon as you get the first one you’re on a roll at that point,” Balagus said. “I hope for more goals here soon.”
Okotoks takes to the road this weekend in its first trip of the season to Banff on Oct. 22.
The team’s next home date is Oct. 28 against the Airdrie Thunder. For more information go to okotoksbisons.com
