The annual Mac’s Midget AAA World Invitational Tournament began on Dec. 26 and ended with the finals in both the female and male divisions on Jan. 1. The tournament featured 25 male and 15 female teams from across Canada, the United States and Europe.
The Airdrie CRF AAA Bisons, a team that features six players from Cochrane, were placed in pool five with the Valley West Hawks, the Calgary Northstars, the Ontario Jr. Reign and the eventual tournament champions in the Regina Pat Canadians. The Bisons finished the tournament with a 1-3 record, but all but one game was decided by two goals or less.
Airdrie lost their first game of the tournament to Valley West by a score of 5-3, then followed that up with a 4-3 victory over the Jr. Reign. The team then lost its most lopsided game of the tournament, losing 4-0 to Regina, before ending their tournament with a nail biting 2-1 loss to the Northstars.
While the tournament might not have gone the team’s way, defenceman Tyrel Bauer says the experience was major boost to the Bisons’ confidence as they look to make a push to the playoffs.
“It was the first Mac’s (tournament) for a lot of the guys off our team and the experience was great. It’s an awesome tournament and great to see how we stack up against teams from other provinces and even other countries,” Bauer said.
“It was great competition and there are a lot of eyes watching you. It was a fantastic way to learn under pressure … not to mention it was also a lot of fun.”
“The record doesn’t show the games. We were in every game and a bounce here or there could have changed the result. Our team is going to bring this back to the regular season, where we need to go on a bit of a win streak in order to make the playoffs. The hope is not gone and we will use it as motivation moving forward.”
Bauer also commented on the fact that he and his six Cochrane teammates weren’t only representing their team, but their hometowns as well.
“The Mac’s is such a prestigious tournament that only the best teams from around the world come to play in,” Bauer said.
“To be able to represent my hometown and my team is a cool feeling and I take a lot of pride whenever I pull on my jersey.”
The Cochrane native also highlighted the fact that he and his team learned how to play in pressure packed situations, something that could help them moving forward should they make a run into their league playoffs.
“Short-term competition is much different than regular season play, and you have to be at your best every game, every period and every shift,” Bauer said.
“Just come ready to play every game at your best. Not to mention, tons of people are watching, including scouts, so there is not that much time to make a statement, and have that positive first impression. You cannot take a shift off, let alone a game … to be able to play in games like that, could really help us moving forward.”
The Bisons who currently sit in ninth place of the Chrysler Division with a 7-15-2 record will play again on Jan. 6 against the Red Deer Optimist Chiefs.
