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Headline: Bisons keep good times rolling

So much for holiday rust. The Okotoks Bisons picked up where they left off with consecutive victories over Banff and High River to extend their winning streak to 12 games in the Heritage Junior Hockey League.
Okotoks Bisons captain Mark McLeod gets by a High River Flyer in their 9-1 victory at the Murray Arena on Jan. 8.
Okotoks Bisons captain Mark McLeod gets by a High River Flyer in their 9-1 victory at the Murray Arena on Jan. 8.

So much for holiday rust.

The Okotoks Bisons picked up where they left off with consecutive victories over Banff and High River to extend their winning streak to 12 games in the Heritage Junior Hockey League.

“Overall our team is bigger, faster and more confident out there,” said Bisons forward Spencer Bender. “When we all go out and play like we did I think we will win almost every game.

“We try and just forget about who we’re playing. Just go in whether we’re playing Coaldale, High River and play the way we know we can.”

Entering the holiday break playing their best hockey of the season, the herd could be excused for wanting to see the ice rather than take a hiatus whilst at the top of their game.

Turns out a rest was as good as a change for the team.

“The break was much needed at that point,” Bender said. “It’s tough to win 10 in a row no matter who you play.

“It was great going into the break with a streak going and we knew what we had to continue when we came back.

“It was all about getting back on the ice at practice, getting our legs moving and getting our habits back.”

Okotoks opened the new year in style with a 4-0 shutout on the road over the Banff Bears.

Kyle Becker, Connor Tudor, Mark McLeod and Brennan Fuoco found the back of the net while Matthew McDonald stopped 32 shots for his first shutout of the campaign.

“Donny played unbelievable,” Bender added. “We really focused on our d-zone, we limited their opportunities and were able to transition quickly and get our opportunities.”

The Bisons then took it to the High River Flyers by a 9-1 count in a Sunday afternoon blowout at the Murray Arena.

Tudor and Nicholas Murrell scored twice, Becker, McLeod, Bender, Kyle Dunville and Jaret Bordt all added singles in the offensive onslaught.

“We had a good week of practice getting back into things and just kept the same mentality and keep that train rolling,” said Tudor. “We’ve been riding a hot streak and getting that first win against Banff with Donny standing on his head was a key contributor.

“That gave us a lot of momentum and push forward.”

The veteran squad did well to avoid the trappings of a trap weekend lining up versus two of the bottom three teams in the Southern Division.

“It’s a little tougher going into those games, but you’ve got keep the same mentality,” Tudor said. “You’ve got to push through, find a way, find a gear. Sometimes it’s a little tougher to get involved in those games, but I thought the boys did a great job this weekend and found a way to put the puck in the back of the net.”

The herd were buoyed by something they haven’t had all season – a healthy roster.

McLeod, the team’s hard working captain, and converted defenceman Tyler Whiteside returned from extended absences due to injury.

“That adds a lot of depth to our lineup,” Tudor said. “This is the first weekend we had to sit three healthy guys since the beginning of the year. It helps our team a lot and the focus going forward is just to stay healthy and keep pushing.”

Okotoks’ unbeaten run will get a stiff test this weekend with a pair of dates with two of the top contenders in the South. First, the Bisons venture into the Snake Pit in search of two points on Jan. 14. They then wrap up the weekend with a home date versus the top-seed Cochrane Generals on Jan. 15 at Murray Arena. Puck-drop is 1:15 p.m.

“It’s been my mindset since I was a kid that 12 is lucky and 13 is a streak,” Bender added. “You’re always looking to the next game and not looking back.”

For more information go to okotoksbisons.com

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