The hallmark of a championship team is balance and the Okotoks Junior B Bisons have found it during their remarkable run to the Heritage Junior Hockey League final.
After rolling with four lines and six defencemen throughout the regular season, Okotoks is reaping the rewards of their superior depth in the playoffs.
“You won’t see a championship team win with one line,” Bisons’ coach Rory Hennigan said.
Among the contributors to the Bisons’ playoff run, Phil Dillon has stepped to the forefront.
After recording 18 goals in 35 games during the regular season, Dillon has exploded for 11 goals in 12 post-season contests.
The forward added to his total by scoring four times in the Bisons’ series-clinching victory over Red Deer on March 19 in Okotoks.
The rangy centre, who now leads the HJHL in goals per game during the playoffs, said he was at a loss to explain his goal-scoring binge.
“I have no idea. I only got 18 on the season and I think I’ve got 11 now. It’s just working for me, I don’t know,” he said.
After playing Midget AA in Calgary last season, the elusive six-foot-two forward has found success in his first season at the Junior B level.
Although his ice-time hasn’t increased, Dillon said he has benefited from the Bisons’ balanced offensive attack.
“We (have) run four lines all year, everyone’s contributing. Everyone’s working hard,” he said.
Hennigan said his star forward has simply benefited from a confidence boost.
“He’s getting more confidence. He’s definitely a slippery player, he can dangle and get through guys,” he said.
Behind leading scorer Derek Schlamp, Okotoks had 11 players score 20 points or more during the regular season. The Bisons’ ability to generate offence from every line has continued into the postseason.
In order to claim the provincial title next month in Leduc, the Junior B squad will need to maintain its current approach.
“If all four lines are firing, we’ll be good. That’s what it’s going to take,” Dillon said. “We can’t just rely on one guy.”
Fellow rookie Tyler Hughes also managed to contribute in his HJHL playoff debut.
Hughes manned the net for Okotoks during their 7-4 victory over Red Deer in Game 4 of the HJHL semifinals.
With a provincial berth already clinched, the upstart Bisons dispelled any notion there will be any letdown in the HJHL finals.
“If you were to sit back in the league finals, that would carry through to provincials,” Hennigan said.
