The drive to home-ice advantage in the playoffs is nearly complete for the Okotoks Carstar Bisons.
Okotoks (28-2-0) knocked off Southern Division foes in the Strathmore Wheatland Kings and Cochrane Generals on back-to-back nights to move eight points away from clinching first overall in the Heritage Junior Hockey League with eight games left in the regular season.
“It was a really good game, we played 60 minutes,” said Bisons head coach Brad Cobb, following the victory over Strathmore. “And that’s our biggest goal here down the stretch, to play strong system-wise and structurally.”
On Friday the 13th at the Murray Arena, Okotoks produced another measured, controlled result in handing a tough Strathmore squad a 4-1 defeat.
“You know what? They’re a good hockey club so you’ve just got to get the puck snapping around there,” Cobb added. “Get the puck movement going and the quick transition, but they’re a good, young club and going to be a good team down the road.
“They’re a tough out, for sure.”
On offence, Alaister Standen led the way with two goals, upping his totals to six in 10 games after being away from the squad for a 19-game period.
“Since he’s been back it’s just been positive,” Cobb said. “In the dressing room, on the ice, he’s just going to get stronger, he’s a workhorse.”
Adam Kirkpatrick scored his team-leading 19th marker with Braedon LeGrandeur notching his ninth tally in the victory.
Kyle Provencher got one back late in regulation for the visitors.
Grady Nicholas improved to a perfect 7-0 with the victory, turning aside 26 of 27 shots.
“I was going through a tough little stretch," Standen said. "And being back with the team, back with the guys that I care about and love being with has helped more than I could have thought."
On Jan. 14, Okotoks made it three wins in four meetings with the rival Cochrane Generals with a 3-1 road triumph.
Standen, captain Lucas Watkins and Jake Snashall provided the offence with Dylan Fries salting away his 13th win in a 26-save effort between the pipes.
Cochrane got the better of Okotoks in its most recent meeting in early November, handing the Bisons their first loss of the season.
“We want to create some separation,” said Cobb on the eve of the contest. “More importantly, we want to get on them and let them know that the last time they got us there, we’re not happy about it.”
The Bisons are now eight games unbeaten. In January, the team has given up just five goals in four games.
For Standen, trust has a lot to do with the team's consistent performances.
“Just sticking to our gameplan, trusting each other and working for each other,” Standen said. “And knowing that if I’m first in the corner that my linemate is going to have my back and he’s going to support me.
“Having those waves of offence and defence has been crucial.”
Okotoks is back at the Murray Arena on Jan. 20 against the Three Hills Thrashers and complete the weekend on the road in Didsbury versus the Mountainview Colts.
For more information, go to okotoksbisons.com.
