BISON TOPPLE MAVERICKS 3-2 ON SATURDAY
By: Erik Konwinski, Bloomington Bison
Bloomington, Ill – Hugo Ollas recorded 32 saves and was perfect in the shootout as the Bloomington Bison defeated the Kansas City Mavericks 3-2 at Grossinger Motors Arena Saturday.
Bloomington jumped to a first-period lead after seven minutes when Kyle Jackson set up Sullivan Mack in front of the net, and Mack potted his third goal of the season through traffic. Nikita Sedov assisted to earn his fifth assist in the last two games. Just over two minutes later, Mack ripped home his second of the evening on a delayed odd-man break set up by Lou-Felix Denis and Seung Jae Lee. Ollas started strong and froze pucks through traffic to control rebounds, stopping all 15 shots he faced in the first period. The Bison fired 15 shots of their own on Kansas City’s net and took the 2-0 lead into the second frame.
The Mavericks took control of the second stanza and mounted a lopsided shot total, aided by early back-to-back power-play chances. Although Bloomington killed both penalties, momentum shifted to Kansas City. Following 4-on-4 play, the visitors got on the board just over the halfway mark of regulation on a shot that bounced out of the net so quickly it needed to be confirmed by a review. Only 56 seconds later, the Mavericks tied the game. Bloomington was held to one shot for most of the period and ended up outshot 13-3, bringing the game total to 28-18.
The Bison found early chances on multiple power plays starting just 14 seconds into the third. The best look came from a couple of jam shots at the top of a crowded crease, but all were turned away. Bloomington got another chance two minutes later after drawing another penalt,y but Kansas City remained defensively steady. Halfway through the frame, another 4-on-4 sequence occurred, and the Bison kept pressuring. Ollas required five saves in the period, with the most potent coming on a last-minute breakaway to bring up overtime.
Bloomington carried momentum through most of overtime and drew a power-play chance, but the Mavericks denied them again. Overall, the Bison recorded four of the five shots in extra time, and Zak Karpa scored the lone tally to secure the shootout victory.
With the win, the Bison entered a three-way tie for first place in the Central Division with the Fort Wayne Komets and the Toledo Walleye.
Bloomington will look to gain the division lead with a rematch against the Mavericks Sunday at 4:00 p.m. on Taylor Swift Night at Grossinger Motors Arena, when kids 12 and under eat FREE and fans can participate in a post-game skate with the players!
Single-game tickets are now available for ALL Bloomington Bison home games starting as low as $20! Visit ticketmaster.com or call 309-965-HERD to purchase tickets today.
BLOOMINGTON BISON
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