BISON STAR EDDIE MATSUSHIMA COMES UP SHORT IN HIS 300TH ECHL GAME 

IMAGE COURTESY OF BLOOMINGTON BISON MEDIA TEAM 

NORMAL, Ill. – After only getting off eight shots in the first 40 minutes, the Bloomington Bison took control in the third period and over doubled their total shots. But it was not enough as the Bison fell short 2-1 against the Cincinnati Cyclones.

At five minutes, the Cyclones got five consecutive shots on goal within 45 seconds, but goalie Dryden McKay held strong, not allowing any goals. Less than a minute later, the Bison gained momentum and Matt Hubbarde scored their only goal just under seven minutes into the game.

Hubbarde was assisted by Mikael Robidoux, making it his fifth game in a row with an assist. He has the longest active assist streak for the Bison.

ECHL veteran Eddie Matsushima almost had an opportunity to score after a turnover but was stopped short. Matsushima played in his 300th career ECHL game. He played three seasons with the Tulsa Oilers, making it to the Kelly Cup Playoffs twice, before joining Bloomington in 2024.

Matsushima was the leading scorer for the Bison with 27 goals and 57 points. As the team approaches the halfway point of the 2025-2026 season, he continues to shine leading with 14 goals and second in points with 27.

In the second period, the Bison were outshot 12-3 by Cincinnati. The Cyclones scored quickly with a powerplay, tying the game at 11:19 in the second. That momentum continued through the remainder of the period as they got eight more shots, scoring on their last one at 19:41 to give them the lead. 

Playing from behind, the Bison set an aggressive tone for the final period, getting a shot off within the first ten seconds. At 3:07 Cyclone Nick Rhéaume was called for boarding, which led to Bison forward Shane Ott dropping his gloves and earning a five-minute penalty.

Bloomington then took complete offensive control. Despite getting 19 fewer shots in the first 40 minutes, they outshot Cincinnati 11-3. Despite their efforts, the Bison were unable to score and lost their final game in January 2-1 on the road. 

The Bison play again on Sunday, February 1st against the Kalamazoo Wings, who they will play three times in one week. Their next game back home in Bloomington will be against the Maine Mariners on February 20th.

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