The Cannex Cochrane Generals will get their first taste of preseason action this weekend with a home-and-home series against the Airdrie Techmation Thunder.

The series opens Friday night in Airdrie with an 8:00 p.m. start before the two teams head to Cochrane on Saturday night for a 9:00 p.m. puck drop at SLS Centre.

The weekend will be the Generals’ first opportunity to see their new group in game action following a busy main camp.

Cochrane opened this year’s camp with 60 players competing for roster spots, a significant increase from last year’s camp. As reported by CochraneNow, the Generals are looking to build on what was a breakthrough 2025-26 season for the organization.

Last season, Cochrane finished with a 21-13-1 record and 44 points, finishing third in the HJHL’s South Division. The Generals went on to make a run to the South Division Final, marking another step forward for the club.

Airdrie finished last season with a 16-16-4 record and 36 points, placing fourth in the North Division.

Familiar matchup

The Generals and Thunder are no strangers to one another.

The teams met twice during the 2025-26 regular season, splitting the season series.

Airdrie opened the series with a 6-4 victory, while Cochrane answered with a 6-3 win in the second meeting.

With both teams coming off playoff appearances last season, this weekend’s home-and-home will provide an early test for each club as they continue preparing for the regular season.

For the Generals, the games will also give players coming out of the 60-player main camp an opportunity to make an impression against another HJHL opponent.

The coaching staff will have a chance to evaluate returning players, newcomers and potential line combinations as the team continues to put together its roster for the 2026-27 season.

The Generals and Thunder will meet again in the regular season when Airdrie comes to SLS Centre for Cochrane’s home opener on Friday, October 2 at 8:00 p.m.

For now, the focus is on the preseason home-and-home, beginning Friday night in Airdrie before the Generals return home Saturday for a late 9:00 p.m. start.