The Cochrane Generals went three-for-three this weekend.
In an away game, the Gens downed the Three Hill Thrashers Friday 7-1 and beat them again at home the following day, 10-2.
The Generals beat the Rocky Rams 5-0 Sunday night (Nov. 21) at Cochrane Arena.
Centre Dean Olenyk celebrated his 100th career point in front of the hometown crowd and goaltender Jordan McGinnis had his first shutout as a Junior B player.
Olenyk has played three years with the Generals, racking up 66 points in his first season and six last year when the team’s season was cut short after three games due to COVID-19. Over the weekend, Olenyk racked up another seven points, putting him over the 100-point mark.
At 37 points, he has the Heritage Junior Hockey League’s (HJHL) second-highest points in the division.
He said the high scores the Generals have been posting have helped get him to the 100-point milestone.
“We have a lot of offensive talent,” Olenyk said. “It is always a lot of fun to get a lot of goals. It makes games easier too.”
He said switching to the north division is turning into an advantage.
“In my opinion, the other division is a lot weaker so there are teams like Okotoks that aren’t getting as much competition as us, so I think we will be a lot more ready,” he said. “We are playing much harder teams.”
The Okotoks Bisons are leading the HJHL with 35 points, two points ahead of the Generals.
Head coach Kurtis Jones said he played his two younger goalies this weekend and they both showed up for the team.
“They played very, very well,” he said, adding work ethic is what he looks for when he’s making up the roster. “We have 22 players and three goalies we only dress 20 every night. So, guys who want to play have to work hard and practice and all that.”
McGinnis said he made sure he was in the zone for Sunday’s game.
“I was really prepared for this game,” he said. “Just going back to sleep at night and food in the morning. I was just really ready.”
His teammates came out strong, he added.
“They stood their ground defensively and put up points on the board,” said the 18-year-old. “Everyone was working together and it was a great team win.”
The Cochrane Generals play at home against the Colts Friday, Nov. 26, and then travel to Sylvan Lake Sunday (Nov. 28) to face the Wranglers.
Currently, Cochrane leads the north division with 33 points and have the three top points holders across the heritage league.
