Bison battle, come up winless in first weekend of the season

Image courtesy of Bloomington Bison

BLOOMINGTON, Ill. — The Bloomington Bison were unable to get in the win column against the Toledo Walleye on Friday and Saturday at Grossinger Motors Arena.

Game One: Walleye 2, Bison 0

Head Coach Phillip Barski’s squad was outshot 34-24 by the Walleye in total shot attempts, 14 of which came in the second period.

“We are a work in progress right now,” Barski said. “We just have to find ways to get better day in and day out.”

Mark Sinclair manned the net for the Bison and allowed one goal. The other Walleye score came during a power play in the second.

“We were looking for someone who had veteran presence,” Barski said. “Could not fault him on the one goal; he probably saved us at least three breakaways.”

On a positive note, the Bison named Eddie Matsushima to serve as its first team captain.

“I try to lead by example,” Matsushima said. “With it being the first inaugural team, I am going to try my best to lead these guys.”

Game Two: Walleye 4, Bison 2 

Bryce Montgomery notched his name into the Bison record books by scoring the first regular season goal for the team.

“To get the first opportunity for us is awesome,” Montgomery said. “I got a quick break on the ice and screamed for it, and it just went in from there.”

The Bison outshot the Walleye in the second period, 14-10. Case McCarthy kept the momentum rolling and added the team’s second goal in the third period.

“I think we have all the talent and skill in the world; it is just the little things we need to work on,” Montgomery said.

Toledo’s goalie, Carter Gylander, was a force in front of the net, saving 38 of the Bison’s 40 attempted shots.

“They are very dialed in what they are doing, and it is very turned key,” Barski said. “When I look at what we are doing, we are just starting to have our guys understand what it means to be successful.”

The Bison will hit the ice against the Iowa Heartlanders on Saturday at 7 p.m. in Grossinger Motors Arena.