In hockey good things happen when you throw the puck on net.
Okotoks Bisons captain Chase Fallis can attest to that after scoring the overtime winner in a 7-6 thriller over the host Red Deer Vipers from the most acute angle on Saturday.
“I was almost at the top of the circle and spun it and fired it on net and it just squeaked in,” said Fallis. “It was pretty huge, we just wish we would have beat them in regulation to give them their first regulation loss, but we will take the win.”
Fallis’ clutch tally completed the hat-trick for the 21-year-old centre and, more importantly, overshadowed an uncharacteristically off night for Okotoks’ team defence.
The Bisons coughed up three leads to the Vipers (9-0-4-3) before outlasting Red Deer in the extra-frame.
The overtime heroics were a rapid departure from Okotoks’ weekend opener, a 9-2 rout of the Banff Academy Bears, Friday at Murray Arena.
Dillon Loomer led the Bisons with two goals and four points, moving the talented winger into second place in the Heritage Junior Hockey League’s scoring race.
Okotoks closed out the weekend Sunday with a 12-2 romp of the visiting Ponoka Stampeders, outshooting the North Division team by a staggering count of 77-17. Phil Dillon registered a hat-trick, rookie Christopher Price added two goals and two assists while Dylan Griep added four helpers from the blueline.
The three-win weekend extended the Bisons’ unbeaten streak to 21 games through 65 days of near perfection on the ice.
The Bisons’ general manager isn’t putting too much stock in the unbeaten run, knowing the regular season is just an appetizer for the main dish come playoff time.
“No one is really focused on how many games we have won in a row. We are focused on the goal of finishing first overall,” said GM Jay McFarlane.
“Half the guys from last year are back and we have lots of experience and an old team in terms of composure and maturity and everyone knows what it takes to get there and that’s wearing off on the new guys that have come on.”
McFarlane said the addition of netminder Alex Bilton to complement Tyler Hughes has paid off, as has replenishing the youth through Okotokian blueliners Bryce Honish, Tyson Arnholtz as well as forwards Darren Bordt and Dylan Boyd.
The Bisons have just five contests left on the schedule before an extended holiday break featuring 20 days between games.
McFarlane said the coaching staff has the players focused on closing out 2012 on a high-note.
“It is a challenge,” McFarlane said.
“It’s evident, even in practice now, that everyone is getting into Christmas mode and holiday season is fast approaching. We have the option of getting another 10 points in the standings and rewarding ourselves with a little bigger buffer between us and Coaldale in the South.”
The Bisons (21-2-1) hold a healthy 16-point lead on the Coaldale Copperheads for first in the division, but have played four more games than their southern foes.Okotoks faces two tough tests this weekend at home.
The Strathmore Wheatland Kings descend upon Murray Arena on Friday at 8 p.m. and the Vipers make their first visit to the foothills for a Sunday afternoon date at 1:15 p.m.
For more information on the Bisons visit the team website at www.okotoksbisons.com
