It’s getting lonely at the top of the South.
The Okotoks Carstar Bisons (6-0-0) extended their season-long winning streak to six games with a pair of victories on the road over Strathmore and at home versus Rocky to solidify top spot in the Heritage Junior Hockey League’s Southern Division.
“I think we’re faster than last year and that’s exciting because that’s my preferred play style,” said Bisons forward Alaister Standen. “I’m excited because it’s only the start of the season so we’re going to get way faster.
“Guys on the other team are already telling us how (bad) it is to play against us, they’re not too excited when they hear they’re playing the Bisons.”
Okotoks dispatched the Rocky Rams 7-2 on Sunday led by a four-goal second period.
The teams entered the first intermission knotted at one despite a 22-6 shots on goal advantage for Okotoks.
The Bisons got on the board just 90 seconds into the contest with Alaister Standen tipping a shot in the crease on a delayed penalty with the Rams answering through Cale Stecyk.
Special teams helped the hosts tilt they ice in their favour in the second stanza.
Jaevon Buschlen scored shorthanded just 65 seconds into the period and veteran blueliner Brayden Kapty added a powerplay marker just five seconds into a man-advantage with a howitzer wrist shot off the post and in. Adam Kirkpatrick added another powerplay tally midway through the period. High Riverite Ethan MacIntyre added an even strength tally to close the four-goal frame.
“(Special teams) is huge, it’s make or break in tight games,” Kapty said. “One powerplay can make a difference.”
In the third, Standen and Buschlen added to the onslaught with the Rams getting one back on the powerplay.
In goal, Grady Nicholas made 17 saves to pick up the win in his Bisons debut.
“The fast-pace and good puck movement and getting lots of shots is what we’re looking for right now,” Kapty said. “It’s really important to get that pace going at the start of the season.”
On Saturday, Okotoks edged a tough Strathmore Wheatland Kings squad 4-2 on the strength of a decisive final frame.
Buschlen and Connor Claughton notched their first goals of the season, the latter his first with the junior b club, with Easton Dean tallying his fourth of the campaign to break the 1-1 deadlock after 40 minutes. Caden Scott scored earlier for Okotoks.
In between the pipes, Dylan Fries made 21 saves on 23 shots for the Stavely product’s third win.
“We always seem to have a close game with them,” Standen said. “It’s a lot different on their ice surface, they’ve got the Olympic-size ice, but we stuck to our plan and kept getting pucks deep and kept grinding away at it, moving the puck quick and moving our feet fast.”
Through three weeks, the Bisons and the Northern Division leading Mountainview Colts are the only undefeated teams left standing.
“It’s trusting each other and knowing that if one guy is going hard to the corner that someone’s going to have his back,” Standen said. “It’s knowing that guys are going to stick up for each other, it’s motivation to keep playing and keep fighting for each other.”
On deck, home cooking is on the menu for Thanksgiving weekend with Okotoks hosting a pair at the Murray Arena with the Airdrie Thunder visiting on Oct. 7 at 8 p.m. and Sylvan Lake Wranglers in town for an Oct. 9 matinee at 1:15 p.m.
“I’m expecting a faster play style,” Standen added. “And I think it will be a really good test to see if we can handle it.”
For more information go to okotoksbisons.com.
