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Saturday, October 17th

Bison Secure Opening Night Victory In Front of More than 4,800 Fans

Bison Secure Opening Night Victory In Front of More than 4,800 Fans

BLOOMINGTON, Ill. – The Bloomington Bison successfully killed six penalties, including over a minute in overtime, before Grant Porter secured a 4-3 extra-time victory over the Kalamazoo Wings in front of a record Opening Night crowd at Grossinger Motors Arena on Saturday evening.

Goaltending dominated for both teams during what would remain a scoreless first period, and penalties mounted to break up momentum across the ice. Less than two minutes in, the Bison were nabbed with a tripping minor and killed it off. A minute and a half later, the home team got caught with too many men on the ice and completed back-to-back penalty kills before getting a powerplay chance of its own. Kalamazoo sent the puck over the glass at 13:03. Bloomington enjoyed puck possession and zone time, but would not light the lamp yet. With less than four minutes remaining in the opening frame, the Bison came up with a third kill and headed into the intermission having allowed just nine shots against despite the shorthanded time.

Deni Goure kicked off the season’s scoring at 1:44 of the second period with a cross-crease feed from Brenden Datema. Mikey Milne registered the secondary assist on the play. Merely 63 seconds later on a delayed powerplay scenario, Vladislav Kamenev skated through traffic and made it 2-0 from Evan Nause and Seung Jae Lee to ignite the record crowd. Poulter fended off  all 11 shots he faced in the stanza and the Bison added a fourth successful penalty kill before even more penalties brought up the final 20 minutes.

The Bison were unable to capitalize on a carryover penalty but jumped ahead 3-0 while shorthanded at 3:42 of the final regulation period. Kalamazoo surged to the tune of three-straight goals of its own and forced overtime. Bloomington was sent back to the penalty box within the final minute of regulation and came up with its sixth kill of the evening before Porter sailed the game-winning goal into the back of the net from Sedov and Goure. Poulter finished the evening with 27 saves including three in overtime.

Saturday set an Opening Night record and was the second-highest attended Bison game in team history with 4,803 fans in attendance.

Friday night Bison games are 309 Nights featuring $3 Busch Lights and sodas, $0 popcorn and $9 T-Shirts- don’t miss out when Bloomington hosts Fort Wayne on Friday, October 23 at 7 p.m.! Secure your seat by visiting bloomingtonbisonhockey.com or call (309) 965-HERD for more information on ticket memberships and group hospitality opportunities.

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