The Bisons men’s hockey team defeated the Regina Cougars 6-3 on Friday, Oct. 18.

The Bisons started the game with a strong offensive approach, immediately showing their intentions in the very first moments. They quickly established dominance, with Hayden Ostir scoring just 20 seconds into the game, setting an impressive tone for the team.

This early goal energized the Bisons, who followed it up with Skyler Bruce netting a goal at 1:47, demonstrating their offensive mastery right from the start. Codey Behun added another at 13:03, giving them a commanding 3-0 lead. The impressive play did not only showcase their skills, but also allowed them to pressure the Regina defense consistently throughout the period. This relentless offensive effort laid the foundation for their success as they dominated the ice.

Once the Bisons were up by four goals, they appeared to ease off the intensity, allowing the Regina Cougars to gain some momentum in the second period. Codey Behun scored again at 3:01, extending the lead to 4-0, but the Bisons’ relaxation proved costly. The Regina Cougars capitalized on this shift in focus, with Paycen Bjorklund finding the back of the net at 3:31 and Carson Whyte following suit just seconds later at 4:05, ending the second period with a score of 4-2.

This quick succession of goals caught the Bisons off guard and served as a wake-up call. However, after conceding those two quick goals, the Bisons had enough and refocused, asserting their intensity once again. This shift demonstrated their resilience and ability to close out the game effectively, emphasizing the importance of maintaining focus even when holding a comfortable lead.

As the third period began, the Bisons showcased the same offensive spirit they demonstrated in the first. They went all out, taking shots on goal and applying pressure on the Regina Cougars defense, determined to put the game out of reach.

Riley Zimmerman scored at 2:37, extending the lead to 5-2 and further asserting their control over the game. At 4:20, Paycen Bjorklund scored another goal, making the score 5-3. The Bisons maintained their relentless pressure, refusing to allow the Regina Cougars any breathing room. Hayden Ostir capped off the game with his second goal at 19:59, bringing the final score to 6-3. This renewed intensity did not only stifle the Regina Cougars’ attempts to gain any momentum, but also reinforced the Bisons’ determination to maintain control of the game until the final whistle.

The Bisons’ solid defensive strategy was crucial in maintaining their lead. They demonstrated their ability to absorb pressure and counter effectively, which was key to their success in the game. Their defensive coordination allowed for quick transitions, enabling them to regain control when needed and thwart the Regina Cougars’ offensive efforts consistently.

The Bisons’ goalie showcased impressive focus and preparedness during the game, practicing his movements and staying active, while the team pressured the Regina Cougars. His awareness and readiness to react were evident as he anticipated plays, contributing significantly to the team’s overall defensive effort.

In a post-match interview, head coach Gordon Burnett said, “I really like how we started the game. We’re assertive in all areas of the game, we were able to put the puck in the net early, which obviously changes a little bit of the way we play. But I thought as a group, I thought we did a good job and then just cleaning things up at the end and learning to play with the lead is a little bit new for us. But, we’ll take a look at it tomorrow and we’ll make sure that we clean that up.”

Regarding the strategies for today’s game, he noted, “we played them three times in the pre-season and I think we tried to learn a little bit from what was good and what was bad. But they’re a good hockey team that plays hard. They come after us. They’re aggressive in all three zones. They play the game hard, and we have to make sure that we’re ready and make sure that we understand what they’re going to do and play our structure against what they’re doing.”

Assessing the player that made an impact, coach Burnett noted, “I think Codey Behun has two goals and one short-handed and so I think just that alone and the way he played and the amount of hockey that he played today, I thought he was one of our standouts today.”

On his team’s defensive play, especially with two goals allowed, he remarked, “yeah, I think for the most part we are pretty good defensively. There were a couple of breakdowns, but it was mostly in the third period when we got running around in our own end. I thought that there’s some things that we can do a little better there.”

Bisons fans can catch the team in action at the Investors Group Athletic Centre, Wayne Fleming Arena. With their next games on the horizon, the Bisons look to build on this momentum and continue their strong start in the season.