The Cannex Cochrane Generals defeated the first place Medicine Hat Cubs on Saturday night at the SLS Centre’s Totem 1 Arena, but it took a shootout to put them over the top at the end.
The Generals are 11 for their last 12 after having their historic 10-game winning streak snapped by Strathmore on Jan. 3.
The win against Medicine Hat came as a result of a full team effort, and featured outstanding plays on both sides. Josiah Jackson helped the Cubs jump out front early before being answered back on by the Generals’ Emmet Long on a great shot through traffic.
The Cubs then netted their second of the period after a mad scramble in front of the Generals’ net as goaltender Isaias Maddigan desperately attempted to get his glove on the puck to stem a barrage of shots from the Cubs but couldn’t quite grasp it.
The Generals quickly responded with a beautiful goal from Team Captain Diego Coelho to send the teams to the locker room tied after an action-packed first.
The Generals also came out strong in the second period, putting the Cubs back on their heels and scoring which should have been the third goal of the game courtesy of Evan Judge. However, the goal was ultimately disallowed by the officials leaving the score tied.
The third period showcased a wonderfully fluid style of hockey with crisp passing and great positioning by both teams, who looked icy calm as the minutes ticked down in game. Both teams generated multiple scoring chances but failed to find the back of the net.
The teams then headed directly into the five-minute overtime period, but could not resolve the game four on four as both teams sought opportunities without giving up turnovers going the other way.
This led to some shootout heroics as both teams sent three players out to try to end the game. Ultimately it was the Generals’ Tyler Auger (8) who came up with the only goal, and what turned out to be the game winner, as the Generals celebrated a big win over their chief division rival on home ice.
The Generals are 19-18 in the HJHL’s Garry Wournell South Division, and are breathing down the necks of the Medicine Hat Cubs who are now 21-20 after their loss to the Generals.
The Generals’ next game will be on Jan. 16 against the Coaldale Copperheads at the SLS Centre.
