The Cochrane Generals are ready to bring the noise to home ice Friday night.
The Gens welcome the Airdrie Thunder for their home opener at 8 p.m., with a pre-game celebration beginning at 5:30 p.m. at the On The Rocks Lounge.
Fans can socialize and meet players and coaches in the popular upstairs lounge before the arena gates open at 6:30 p.m.
A special night
Friday’s opener also marks the 40th anniversary of the Heritage Junior Hockey League, giving the Gens another reason to make the night special.
The club will recognize the milestone during the opening ceremonies, while continuing its tradition of bringing the local hockey community together through the Circle of Unity.
Several players from the Calgary Sledge Hockey Association will also join the Gens for the ceremony. The two organizations have developed a close bond over the years.
It’s the 42nd season for the Gens, with much of the past 25 years played at Totem One following the completion of the first stage of the SLS Centre.
Gens president Rick Richards says the entire organization is eager to get the season started on home ice.
“I can’t wait. We’re ready to go. I mean, the boys are excited. The coaches are excited. Everybody can’t wait to start.”
Richards says the team is expecting plenty of support in the stands, with several minor hockey teams planning to attend.
The Calgary Sledge Hockey Association is also bringing its full crew to the game.
“Get there early, get your seats — it’s going to be a full house,” Richards says.
Building on opening weekend
The Gens opened their season on the road, splitting their first two games.
They dropped their season opener 6-2 to the Sylvan Lake Wranglers before heading south and closing out the weekend with a 3-1 win over the Coaldale Copperheads.
The Gens scored twice in the third period to secure the victory.
Rookies Nolan Smith, Gairen Bona and Carter Murphy each scored their first goals with the club over the opening weekend.
The Thunder also split their opening weekend. Airdrie opened at home with a 13-2 rout of the Rocky Rams before falling 3-0 to the Sylvan Lake Wranglers on the road.
Defending champions return Saturday
The home-opening weekend doesn’t end Friday.
The defending HJHL champion Medicine Hat Cubs will be at Totem One Saturday night, with the puck dropping at 7:30 p.m.
The Cubs ended the Gens’ playoff run last spring, defeating Cochrane in the South Division final to advance to the HJHL championship series against the Red Deer Vipers.
Medicine Hat went on to defeat Red Deer to capture its first HJHL championship
