The Okotoks Bisons have clinched top-spot overall for the first time in six years.
Okotoks’ 5-2 win over the High River Flyers on Jan. 24 couple with the Airdrie Thunder’s overtime loss on the out-of-town scoreboard locked down the herd’s 2019-20 regular Heritage Junior Hockey League season crown.
“It’s a good achievement,” said Bisons head coach Chris Beston. “And I think it’s a small stepping-stone to what the big goal is which is to obviously make it to provincials, but it is a good accomplishment for the boys.
“There’s little steps along the way that you shoot for and that was one of them.”
With win percentage as the first tiebreaker no team can match Okotoks’ number with just a couple weekends of regular season action left to the hit the ice.
It’s the first time Okotoks will go into the playoffs as the top-seed overall since the 2013-14 season, the last time the Bisons won the HJHL championship.
Home-ice advantage throughout the playoffs could be vital for Okotoks, particularly since this season’s provincial qualifier will not be given to both league finalists and only to the league champion.
The herd is undefeated at the Murray Arena this season.
“We enjoy playing in front of our home fans,” Beston added. “We’re comfortable there, obviously, and it always gives us that extra bit of energy playing in front of a good crowd and friends and family.”
Okotoks rode a hot powerplay to the 5-2 triumph on Friday in High River.
Tyler Witzke scored twice on the man-advantage, Riker Franczak tallied on the powerplay with league leading sniper Tyson Scott adding to his goal totals at even strength and new addition A.J. Belanger scoring his second with the team.
Tyler Alger, a former Flyer, had a team-high three assists on the night with Jagger Thiessen and Kale Hawryluk each chipping in with a couple helpers.
Devin Reagan made 29 saves for his league leading 28th victory in between the pipes.
“It’s always hard playing your rival, you know they’re going to give you their best game,” Beston said. “Again, we just found a way to win.”
The Bisons then won a playoff like battle over the Coaldale Copperheads 6-5 on Jan. 25 in the Snake Pit.
Franczak scored a hat-trick, upping his totals to 15 goals in 21 games, Witzke had two goals and an assist, Scott scored his league leading 38th goal with Alger adding a three assists for the second night in a row.
Okotoks killed off a five-minute major in the final minutes of the contest to preserve the one-goal victory.
“It was a playoff atmosphere, hard hitting and fast paced, but what I really found out is our team character,” Beston said. “We were up against it a few times and the boys dug deep and showed the character that I wanted to see, that I believe we need to win this HJ league.”
Okotoks (32-2) returns home for two divisional clashes this weekend as Strathmore and Cochrane visit the Murray Arena on Jan. 31 and Feb 2.
The Bisons close the rest of the regular season at the friendly confines. If Okotoks wins its remaining four games it will match the franchise wins record at 36, a benchmark established in 2006.
“It’s nice to finish the season off at home,” the coach added. “We’ve been on the bus here for the last little while and it will be nice to have a little break and just work on things.”
For more information go to okotoksbisons.com
