The proof is in the performance. Cochrane Generals have proven they can defeat a lesser opponent. Since November, Cochrane is 9-0 against Heritage Junior Hockey League foes lower in the standings.
It’s the better teams Cochrane is struggling with.
After downing Strathmore Wheatland Kings 5-2 Dec. 13 in Strathmore, Gens marched to Blackfalds for a Dec. 14 roadie against the league’s top team. After spotting Blackfalds three first-period goals, Cochrane couldn’t catch up in a 5-3 loss. Another top team, another disappointing result. Cochrane’s last loss came last month in a 3-2 home loss to Okotoks Bisons (19-7-2), another team looking down at Generals in the standings.
Having spent the season’s first half dialling his team in, Gens head coach Evan McFeeters is now tasked with getting them over the hill against better opponents.
“That’s kind of what were setting our sights on, the teams above us,” said McFeeters. While his team lost at Blackfalds, McFeeters lauded his players for their effort. “The best hockey game we’ve seen all year. It was fun to be a part of. We had our chances, but didn’t put the puck in the back of the net.”
Gens get another top team Dec. 21 with the Coaldale Copperheads (21-5-1) coming to town.
“I don’t want to look past the games we have,” McFeeters said of Friday’s home game against Mountain View and Saturday’s game in Banff. “Again we’ll see how we stack up against the best in the league. Want to make sure we can stack up against Coaldale, Blackfalds and Okotoks.”
Brad Bergshoeff (1g, 2a), Colby Chartier (1g, 1a) and Austin Keller scored for Cochrane in Blackfalds. Connor Rendell (1g, 3a), Corey Goeson (1g, 1a), Craig Packard, Chris Hugo and Kurt Thrussell scored for Cochrane in Strathmore.
Fri. Dec. 19
Mountain View Colts (12-9-2, 4th Northern Div.)
at Gens (14-6-3, 3rd Southern Div.), 7:30 p.m., Spray Lake Centre
Sun. Dec. 21
Coaldale Copperheads (21-5-1, 1st Southern Div.)
at Gens, 5:30 p.m., Spray Lake Centre
(Gens alumni game immediately after)
Gens D Austin Keller (1g, 2a in last two), Gens F Brad Bergschoeff (1g, 2a in Blackfalds)
Colts rookie G Jake Carlson (5-4, 4.70 GAA); Copperheads F Riley Smith (3g, 2a in 26 games)
4 (last week, 4)
Gens have proven they can feast on weaker opponents, at home and on the road, going 9-0 in November and December against teams lower in the standings. They now need to beat the teams above them (Coaldale, Okotoks, Blackfalds). They had their chance Dec. 14 in Blackfalds, but gave up three first-period goals, forcing them to play from behind the rest of the game against the Heritage Junior Hockey League’s top team. Not how you want to set yourself up to beat better teams. Cochrane’s last two losses have come against Blackfalds and Okotoks, both ahead in the standings. With Coaldale coming in, Gens have a chance to take points from the top team in the Southern Division and No. 2 team in the league.
Remember when Dave Sissons, Tanner Boothby, Straws Milan and Danny McSween marched for the Generals? Well, they, and many more, are back for the Dec. 21 Gens alumni game. Puck drops immediately following Cochrane’s league tilt against Coaldale at Spray Lake Centre. The old guys take on the current squad, which should be plenty tired immediately following the Coaldale tilt. Bonus: head coach Evan McFeeters is in goal.
Cochrane edged Coaldale 4-3 in OT Sept. 28 in Coaldale and downed Mountain View 3-2 in OT Oct. 17 in Didsbury.
