The Okotoks Bisons sent a clear message to the Cochrane Generals — the South Division title is going to go through Big Rock Country.
The Bisons rumbled to a 6-1 romp of the Generals, Jan. 13 at Murray Arena, to even the season series between the top two teams in the Heritage Junior Hockey League’s South Division at 2-2, and avenge an 8-2 loss to Cochrane in their previous match-up on Dec. 16.
Okotoks’ captain Chase Fallis said the team had revenge on their mind prior to hitting the ice.
“They were five points behind us and they could catch us quite easily so we need to win every game that we can against them,” Fallis said. “We were pretty motivated, we wanted to come into our barn and show (Cochrane) what we can do.”
The Bisons did just that by building an early lead through a pair of first period goals from sniper Phil Dillon as well as a tally from leading scorer Dillon Loomer. Okotoks carried a 3-1 lead into the middle stanza and added two more from Fallis and Lucas Mikkelsen. With a comfortable 5-1 third-period advantage, Bisons head coach Mike Hannigan slotted his fourth line on the power-play and gritty forward Todd Callaghan took advantage of the rare opportunity on the man advantage by burying a rebound past Cochrane netminder Matt Shawchuck to tally the last goal of the game.
Callaghan, who thrives in an agitator role he models off Nashville Predators forward Jordin Tootoo, said he’s enjoyed getting under opponents’ skin ever since he first laced up his skates.
“I’ve always been like that and been a little guy my whole life,” said Callaghan, a 20-year-old winger from Standard. “I (like to) just hit a lot, that’s my style.”
Callaghan’s physicality is far from his only quality as he has shown an offensive touch when given the opportunity this season with four goals and 12 points in 18 games with the Bisons.
The feisty winger’s marker against Cochrane put a stamp on a great team effort from Okotoks as a dozen Bisons etched their name on the scoreboard, with six players earning multi-point performances. On the other end of the ice, Bisons goalie Tyler Hughes made 35 saves in a prototypical steady performance from the Okotokian. Fallis said there weren’t any passengers on the Okotoks bench.
“Every line was working hard out there, I think every line contributed on the scoresheet and Hugsy (Tyler Hughes) played unreal
in net,” Fallis said.
The Bisons played a physical game, but maintained their discipline, an important feat for the Okotoks club against a Cochrane team with a potent man advantage, said Fallis.
“They’ve got a good powerplay, they got five against us in that game in Cochrane on the powerplay so we can’t take stupid penalties,” he said.
The Bisons built off their home victory when they took their show on the road with a 5-4 win over the Coaldale Copperheads, Jan. 14. Unfortunately, they missed on the weekend sweep by dropping its finale to the Strathmore Wheatland Kings 5-3 at Murray Arena. Still, with four of six points from the weekend, the Bisons sit comfortably at the top of the South Division with a record of 22-6-1. The Bisons travel south to High River for a rivalry match with the Flyers on Jan. 20 then return to Okotoks for a Jan. 22 date with the Red Deer Vipers, 1:15 p.m. at Murray Arena.
