What a difference a year makes.
After finishing 2013 with a disappointing overtime loss to the Okotoks Bisons, the Cochrane Generals roared into the new year with a 7-3 Heritage Junior Hockey League victory over the High River Flyers Jan. 5 at Spray Lake Sawmills Family Sports Centre.
Unlike the Dec. 21 Bisons game, the Generals took the lead and kept their foot on the gas for the full 60 minutes against High River. It was a remarkable departure from their late-game collapse against Okotoks to end 2013.
“It feels nice to be healthy for once,” remarked Generals head coach Evan McFeeters. “We finally got 20 guys going, the original 20 guys that we expected to start the season with.
“Like I said earlier, we have enough talent to win a lot of hockey games. But we need 20 guys in the lineup to do it.”
The return of forward Ian McRae from a knee injury netted immediate results, as the sniper bagged three goals against High River in his first game since Nov. 30.
Forward Reed Boothby wasn’t labouring nearly as hard on his hobbled knee as he did against Okotoks. He finished with an assist against High River.
Andrew Bergmann had a goal and two assists for Cochrane, with captain Tyson Soloski earning three assists. Patrick Dove had a goal and an assist, and Brett Berndt and Talus Hume had a goal apiece.
The win over their South Division rival moved the Generals closer to post-season play. Another win puts them right into playoff contention.
“The standings have been so tight all year. You can move in one weekend from second to out of playoff position,” McFeeters observed. “It’s huge. It’s going to give these guys a lot of momentum, too. And a lot of confidence going against Banff and Red Deer next weekend.”
With 13 regular-season games remaining, the wins are becoming more vital.
“Now it’s a sprint to the playoffs. The standings are so tight, every point matters,” said McFeeters. “This is the start. We’re going to use this as momentum and get better each and every game.”
Cochrane hosts Banff Jan. 10 at Spray Lake Sawmills Family Sports Centre, 7:30 p.m. puck drop.
