After winning four games straight, the streaky Cochrane Generals dropped both of their games over the weekend to even the Generals’ record at 4-4. Cochrane lost 3-2 to the Blackfalds Wranglers on Oct. 14 and in a rematch of the league finals from last season, the Generals fell to the Red Deer Vipers 4-1.
Against Blackfalds, Austin Keller continued his hot start to the season, scoring a power play goal less than three minutes into the game to give the Gens an early lead, before the Wranglers scored back to back goals to go up 2-1. Generals forward Braden Bain scored his team leading seventh goal of the year to tie the game at two late in the third, before Blackfalds scored the game winner at the 2:51 mark in the third period.
Cochrane goaltender Erik Garber made 48 saves on the 51 shots he faced over the duration of the game.
Against the Vipers, the Gens struggled to find offence, only scoring one goal on 33 shots.
Garber feels like his team will find the consistency that propelled them to the league’s best record last season.
“As a team, I feel like we didn’t play bad this weekend at all,” Garber said.
“I think we have a good group of guys and have all the weapons we need to be successful. We just need to find a way to bare down and get things done.”
The Generals added some reinforcements welcoming back forward Brandon Aab, who started off the year with the Alberta Junior Hockey League’s (AJHL) Bonnyville Pontiacs and adding former Banff Bears forward Ayrton Chapman, who recently was with the Golden Rockets of the Kootenay International Junior Hockey League (KIJHL).
Aab, a Cochrane native who played with the Generals last season, is happy to return to his hometown team. Aab finished last season with 10 goals and 26 assists for 36 points in 31 games.
“I’m very excited to rejoin Cochrane for my second season with the Generals,” Aab said. “I’m excited to see what we can do this year with a young group of guys.”
Chapman is excited to join Cochrane this year after spending time with Banff, Golden and the Vancouver Rangers of the Western States Hockey League.
“I can honestly say I never thought I’d play for the Gens. Playing for Banff for two years and a handful of games last year – being rivals with Cochrane – I didn’t think I’d ever be here,” Chapman said.
“But I’m happy I get the opportunity to play for a top team in the league and a well run organization with a great history. All the guys were really welcoming when I first got here.”
Chapman also believes the Generals are much better than their record indicates early in the season.
“I think the guys expect nothing less than another successful run like they’ve had the last two years,” Chapman said.
“I personally think our record right now doesn’t speak about the team we have in the dressing room. We’re four lines deep, that can all play and that’s what it takes to be champions.”
The Generals’ next two games will be on the road against the Coaldale Copperheads on Oct. 21 and Oct. 28.
