The Cochrane Generals knotted up their best-of-seven Heritage Junior Hockey League (HJHL) third round match up with the Okotoks Bisons at one apiece after a 3-2 victory last night at the Cochrane Arena.
It was a thrilling game that saw the action go back-and-forth, with many twists and turns. Caden Chudleigh got the Gens on the board early with a power play marker to put Cochrane ahead 1-0. The lead was short lived though as Okotoks responded with a goal that was deflected in front of Generals goaltender Erik Garber, tying the game at one. Cochrane was relentless though, once again taking the lead with a goal from Zack Stewart to go up 2-1 late just before the end of the period with Cochrane dominating the play, holding an 18-5 edge in shots.
There was no scoring in the second period with Cochrane firing another nine shots at the Bisons goaltender while only allowing four in return. With just under half of the third period remaining, Cochrane got caught with too many men on the ice, leading to a Bisons power play and eventually the tying goal with only 5:46 left to go in the game, with both teams white knuckling it down the stretch. But as they'd done all night, Cochrane found a way to respond once again, with Patrick Forde being the man of the hour, popping home the game winning goal with less than two minutes to go, giving Cochrane the win.
Game 3 will take place tonight at Okotoks with puck drop taking place at 7:15 p.m.
