The Bisons men’s hockey team gave a valiant effort against the Saskatchewan Huskies, but ultimately fell short in a 2-3, 4-5 weekend series loss. Despite the setback, the Bisons showed flashes of brilliance, particularly in their attacking plays.
The Bisons got off to a great start in the opening game on Friday, scoring in the 12th minute (12:54). But in the fourth minute (4:17), Sam Borschowa of the Bisons was sent off for tripping, while Cole Jordan of the Huskies was sent off for interference in the ninth minute (9:36). With a goal by Codey Behun, the Bisons expanded their lead early in the second period (01:01). Chantz Petruic of the Huskies was thrown out for too many men in the 13th minute (13:39). The Huskies scored in less than a minute (00:59) in the third period, boosting the team’s spirits. The game got competitive. Caden Zaplitny was sent to the penalty box for boarding in the eighth minute (08:02).
Later in the game, Cade Hayes of the Huskies was sent off for tripping in the 11th minute (11:22). The Huskies persisted until Chase Bertholet’s goal in the 16th minute (16:43) gave them the equalizer. After that, the game was in overtime. The Huskies won thanks to a goal by Liam Keeler in the first minute (1:53).
The Bisons were resolute in the rematch on Saturday, holding the Huskies down until Keeler gave the Huskies a 1-0 lead in the 11th minute (11:34). But it was not before Kaycee Coyle of the Bisons was sent off for interference in the sixth minute (6:37). Blake Swerlikoff of the Bisons quickly tied the score in the 13th minute (13:29).
After two minutes (15:07), Bisons’ Zaplitny and Huskies’ Petruic and Ben Tkachuk were sent to the penalty box for roughing. Skyler Bruce of the Bisons used a powerplay to put his team 2-1 ahead one minute later (16:17).
Jonny Hooker of the Bisons was sent to the penalty box for cross-checking in the 17th minute (17:55). A few seconds before the first period ended (19:15), the Huskies tied the game 2-2 thanks to a powerplay goal from Dawson Holt.
In the second period, Bruce of the Bisons was sent off for high sticking in the 12th minute (12:37), while Huskies’ Jarrett Penner was sent to the penalty box for unsportsmanlike behaviour in the fifth minute (5:01). Neither side scored during the powerplay, but Lucas Brennan’s goal in the last minute of the second period (18:59) gave the Bisons a 3-2 lead. The Huskies were unable to tie the score when Zaplitny of the Bisons was sent to the penalty box for high sticking and Conner Roulette of the Huskies was sent off for slashing a few seconds later (19:10).
Both teams were unable to score in the third period until the 11th minute (11:09), when Bisons’ Bruce gave his team a 4-2 lead. However, Huskies’ Roulette was sent to the penalty box in the 12th minute (12:41) for interference with the goaltender and Brennan of the Bisons was sent to the penalty box for interfering a few seconds later (13:16). Holt then scored to make it 4-3 for the Huskies in a powerplay in the 14th minute (14:45). After then, Logan Bairos tied the score at 4-4 in the 16th minute (16:35), and Roulette gave the Huskies the victory in the 19th minute (19:14). The Bisons were outshot 40–25 by the Huskies.
