Bison Down Generals

The Generals bench was holding their breath as the puck slid towards the open side on a redirect from a great 2 on 1 feed from Jason Labelle.  Sam Merriam was about to get mauled by his linemates but it wasn’t meant to be as the puck caught the post.   It was a valiant effort from the Generals as the let one slip through their fingertips Sunday afternoon to a solid Okotoks Bisons squad.  The scoreboard showed a 5-4 loss in a back and forth battle, probably one of Cochrane’s best efforts of the season to date.  The fast paced game had everything from a tenacious forecheck to excellent goaltending at both ends to precise passing plays. 
 
The Gens took the early lead in the 1st with Taylor Irvin finishing on a play from Sam Merriam and Geoffroy Brechmann, only to be answered by 2 goals by the Bisons to give them the lead.  Cochrane kept it close and at 18:13 were rewarded with a power play marker from veteran Danny McSween, who slid home a rebound after a hard shot from Mike Matlo from the point.  The teams were knotted a 2 until early in the second when the Bisons regained the lead to make it 3-2.  Some big saves by the Okotoks tender kept Cochrane at bay and the Bisons increased the lead going into the intermission.  The Generals’ focus never waned and they came out determined in the 3rd frame.  Danny ‘the dream’ McSween lifted the Gens’ spirits early on the power play, sweeping one home at the goalmouth to make it a 4-3 deficit and steal back the momentum.  Cochrane forged on and rugged winger Darren Schmautz tied the game at 9:45, again on the PP.  McSween and Matlo got the helpers on the play.  It wasn’t in the cards for the Gens as the Bisons regained the advantage and held on to a 5-4 win.  Cochrane proved that they are a legitimate contender as they gave the undefeated Bisons all they could handle.

Player of the Game: Tyler Fyten