The Cochrane Generals are rolling at just the right time in the HJHL regular season, picking up a pair of crucial wins over the weekend.

On the road Friday in Rocky Mountain House, the Gens dominated the Rams 10-3, in only their second double-digit scoring punch of the season. Saturday night they returned home to edge the South Division-leading Medicine Hat Cubs 3-2 in a shootout.

Friday’s game saw Cochrane set the tone early, scoring four times in the opening period before the Rams responded with their first of three power-play goals. The Generals kept the pressure on in the second and third periods.

Team captain Diago had a five-point night, vaulting him to second in the league scoring race behind the Cubs’ Kyle Woolridge. Linemate Evan Sine notched a career-high 13th goal of the season and added four points, while Ty Barry had six points on two goals and four assists. Singles went to Brayden Palinkas, Tyler Auger, Evan Judge, Emmet Long, and Lincoln Pidsadowski.

Saturday’s clash against the Cubs was fast-paced and full of end-to-end action, with all four regulation goals scored in the first period. Medicine Hat’s Josiah Jackson opened the scoring just 19 seconds in, but Emmet Long answered five minutes later, assisted by Evan Judge. The Cubs regained the lead on a goal by Ethan Burgeson from Jackson and Jessee Klimosko.

Cochrane tied it 2-2 with just over a minute remaining in the first period when Coelho scored from Nathan Sheriffs and Evan Sine. After a scoreless overtime, Tyler Auger delivered the lone shootout goal to secure the win.

AugerTyler Auger was the lone scorer in the shootout. Cochrane Now/Noel Edey

“To come out on top against the top team in our division proves to the league that the Generals belong at the top,” said Auger, a rookie who has witnessed the team’s chemistry strengthen all season. “Now we trust each other even more, and it shows on the scoreboard.”

Goalie Isaias Maddigan stopped 24 shots for his 13th win of the season.

“We’re really hot right now and playing our best hockey,” he said. “These are playoff-style games. Med Hat, Sylvan Lake, Wheatland… they’re all tough, but strong showings like this give us confidence heading into the playoffs.”

Meanwhile, the Strathmore Wheatland Kings also hit the win column, downing the Cubs 3-2 and edging the Coaldale Copperheads 4-3 behind a hat trick from Luke Nottveit, including a short-handed goal.

WoolridgeThe Gens and Wheatland Kings keep Kyle Woolridge, the league’s top scorer, off the board. Cochrane Now/Noel Edey

Both Cochrane and Strathmore succeeded in keeping Woolridge off the scoreboard, a factor that helped close the gap to five points on the Cubs, who dropped two games after a 14-game winning streak.

Cochrane and Strathmore are tied for second in the South Division and have split their season series 2-2. Their final regular-season meeting is Jan. 23 in Strathmore.

The Gens still have six games left, including four on the road. They host the Coaldale Copperheads Friday before heading to Medicine Hat on Saturday. A pair of games against the Okotoks Bisons includes Cochrane’s final home contest of the season on Feb. 1.