Bison Battle Hard but Fall in Weekend Sweep to Maine Mariners

IMAGE COURTESY OF BLOOMINGTON BISON MEDIA TEAM

NORMAL, Ill. – The Bloomington Bison came up short against the Maine Mariners on Saturday night despite a season-best 45 saves from Callum Tung.

The contest started out with Bloomington firmly in control of the puck, with the majority of it coming in the offensive zone.

However, Maine looked to have opened the scoring with an early goal, only for it to be disallowed following official review, keeping the contest at a scoreless tie.

Deadlocked at 0-0 and following back-to-back power-play opportunities for the Bison, the Mariners found themselves opening the scoring for real this time, giving them the 1-0 advantage for the second straight night.

Callum Tung, despite the early deficit, put in another strong performance in his return between the pipes on home ice, stopping 13 out of 14 opening frame shots, including a key stop on a shorthanded one-timer and an odd-man rush save.

The Bison were tasked with killing off a carryover penalty to start the second period but were beaten shortly after, as Maine extended their lead to two goals to none 4 minutes into the second frame.

Tung kept the deficit at two with back-to-back saves before Robidoux and Gavlas got the Bison on the board to make it 2-1 after Gavlas set up Robidoux on a one-timer with 8 minutes remaining in the second stanza.

The later stages of the second were highlighted by more stellar net minding from Tung, and the Bison headed into the final frame on a carryover power play in hopes of tying the contest up at 2 goals apiece.

And so they did. 92 seconds in the final frame and at the end of the power play, Mark Kaleinikovas connected on a rippling slap shot from Kyle Jackson and Captain Eddie Matsushima to tie the game up.

With Bloomington looking to take control of the game, the Mariners knew they needed to answer back, and so they did. 2 goals over a 2-minute period approaching the midway point of the period saw them regain control of the game and go up 4-2.

Gavlas brought the Bison back to within 1 following a slap shot score with just under six minutes remaining in regulation, prompting the Bison’s last-minute efforts, adding an extra attacker in place of netminder Tung to no avail.

The Mariners’ defense held up and successfully defended the lead down the stretch and earned the 4-3 victory after 60 minutes of play, handing the Bison their second loss in as many nights.

Callum Tung’s 45 saves were the most by a Bison goaltender this season, and the team looked to bounce back in the third straight matchup against the Mariners on Sunday night.

Sunday night’s matchup started the same way as Saturday’s contest did, with the Bison on the attack, dictating the pace and applying pressure on Maine‘s defensive line early.

Rewarded by a power-play opportunity five minutes into the game, it was the Mariners, however, that opened the scoring with a shorthanded goal.

Trailing early, the Bison remained composed and quickly responded, scoring on a Kyle Jackson shot assisted by Mikhail Abramov and Mark Kaleinikovas 54 seconds after falling behind to make it 1-1.

The goal marked the 4th consecutive game with a point for Jackson and the third straight for Kaleinikovas.

After the Bison tied the contest at 1 goal apiece, Maine quickly returned the favor and regained the lead, converting on their lone power play of the opening period.

The end of the period saw the Bison tighten things up on the defensive end, highlighted by Parker Gavlas‘ effort breaking up a two-on-one rush to keep the deficit at one to end the first stanza.

Period number 2 saw Bloomington stand strong on defense, continuing their late first-period trend, and with Brandon Yeamans bringing the energy, getting into a fight, and igniting the crowd of over 3,500 Bison fans at home.

But much to their discontent, the next score came courtesy of the Mariners’ attack, extending their lead to 3–1.

Maine was not satisfied with the two-goal advantage and continued to push forward, but Bloomington’s netminder Dryden McKay kept the Bison in the contest with numerous saves against odd-man attacks and a sprawling pad save to close out the frame.

Trailing by two goals, the Bison were looking to come back to start the third period and created numerous chances, including a power play opportunity 30 seconds into the frame, only to have the Mariners add to their lead and make it 4-1 shortly after.

Trailing by three and with half the period expired, Jackson netted his second goal of the game to make it 4-2, on assists from Shane Ott and Abramov.

Closing out the contest, the Mariners added to their lead, making it 5-2 for the final score, and handed the Bison their 3rd straight loss on home ice, sweeping the 3-day weekend series.

The Bison look to bounce back when they return to home ice for Women in Sports Night on Friday, March 6, following three road games this week, featuring the Iowa Heartlanders on Wednesday, February 25, followed by a back-to-back against the Toledo Walleye on Friday, February 27, and Saturday, February 28.

For all things Bloomington Bison, stay tuned to wznd.com.