It is a must-win scenario for the U of M Bisons men’s hockey team this weekend when the club hosts the University of Lethbridge Pronghorns.
With three weeks left in the season, the Bisons sit six points back of the Pronghorns for the final playoff spot. If the Pronghorns — currently with 16 points on the season — can take three of a possible four points away from the weekend, the Bisons will be mathematically eliminated from playoff contention.
However, if you ask Bisons captain Brett Stovin, the pressure is just what the herd needs.
“The guys are pretty confident,” he said.
“Practice was crisp today and when a team is backed into a corner the way we are it forces the best out of every guy.”
Stovin added that the “majority of our games have been close, which is nice, but simply isn’t acceptable anymore — it’s time to play some playoff hockey and do what it takes.”
If the herd can win at least one of its two games against Lethbridge this weekend — or take both to overtime — it will live to fight another day.
If the club sweeps the series in regulation, it will be knocking on the playoff door.
The last meeting between the two teams came in November, when the Pronghorns beat the Bisons 4-1 and 6-3 on back-to-back nights.
Game one of the weekend is tonight at Wayne Fleming Arena. Puckdrop is at 7 p.m. CST with game two tomorrow at 2 p.m. CST.
