The Buffalo Bison cruised passed the Coon Rapids Cardinals Saturday night, winning 4-0 in the Cardinals spectacular new arena.

Playing in their third tilt of the season, the Bison took advantage of the Cardinals playing in their first game. Coach Aaron Johnson challenged his team before the game. “The staff wanted to see the team get off to a fast start as Coon Rapids was probably playing with first game jitters,” stated Johnson.

“We also wanted to win special teams for the game. Both things happened the first period and continued through most of the game,” Johnson explained.

Senior co-captain Justin Laven scored his second goal of the season to open the scoring just 90 seconds into the contest. Laven blew a slap-shot from the top of the right circle past the Cardinals’ Zach St. John. Forwards Dylan Kumlin and Wilson Anderle assisted on the goal.

The Bison scored their first power-play goal of the season just 90 seconds later. Gunnar Goodmanson continued his torrid scoring pace by knocking home a Reed Morehouse rebound. Morehouse beat St. John but found his shot found the post and Goodmanson knocked home the easy rebound for his sixth goal.

The Bison finished what coach Johnson called “our best period of the young season” outshooting Coon Rapids 13-3.

The second period saw the Bison continue their strong play. Senior co-captain Anderle scored his first of the season in the second minute of play. On a quick transition, Anderle streaked out of the Buffalo end and corralled a smart chip from linemate James McNamara. Anderle found on a 2-on-1 break with Jake Michalko. When the Cardinal defenseman stepped to Anderle he fired a wristed a quick, low shot past St. John.

Junior forward Jerame Schuetzle finished the scoring on a beautiful feed from Goodmanson. Goodmanson out-worked the Cardinal defenders against the back wall, spun away from two checkers, and fed a cross-crease pass for an easy tap-in by a well-positioned Schuetzle.

Goalie Mikey Otten earned his first shutout of the season while making fifteen saves and upped his record to 2-0-1.

While the Bison’s play regressed slightly during the late second and early third period, Buffalo controlled the play throughout and held on for a comfortable win.

Game pucks went to Anderle, Otten, and hardworking senior forward Jordan Carlson.

Buffalo improved to 2-0-1 and kicks off conference play against Monticello-Annandale-Maple Lake (0-1-0) Thursday night at Buffalo Civic Center.