The Cochrane Generals have shot down their goal-scoring deficiency with a bang.
The Gens erupted for 10 goals in a pair of Heritage Junior Hockey League wins last weekend, defeating Medicine Hat Cubs 6-2 on the road Nov. 7 before coming home Nov. 8 to edge Banff Academy Bears 4-3 at Spray Lake Sawmills Family Sports Centre.
The victories signal a shift in Cochrane’s attack. Relying on defence and goaltending in seven low-scoring games last month (five going to overtime), Gens gunners finally dialed in their sights.
In Medicine Hat, Cochrane bagged four goals in the first 41/2 minutes of the second period and five total in the frame. Two goals came on the power play which, to that point, had been particularly pallid. Gens netted another man-advantage marker against Banff.
“It was our best weekend of the season, the goal was to put two solid games together but break it down period by period.” said Generals head coach Evan McFeeters following the Nov. 8 Banff tilt, Cochrane’s third home game in a month.
“Just try to win each period.”
It’s tough to win each period averaging less than a goal per. That has changed, by design.
“We’ve been working in practice and it’s paying off finally,” McFeeters enthused. “We’re trying to incorporate our defence a little bit more. As you can see tonight (Nov. 8), Craig Packard got two goals for us. Guys are just getting hungrier and understanding what it takes to score goals.
“They’re getting to the middle of the ice and paying the price.”
Count rookie forward Steven Tisdale as one of those paying the price.
At one point in the third period against Bears he launched so hard at Banff defenceman Alex Prziblawsky-Bodo behind the net, and missed, that he crashed head-first into the end boards. He was OK on the play and counted two assists against Banff after carding one the night before in Medicine Hat.
The return of left-winger Slater Ransom from injury definitely bolstered Cochrane’s attack.
“Slater, he’s healthy and he’s back. He makes a huge difference for us,” McFeeters observed. “We got him back on his natural side on left wing. Defencemen can’t contain his size and skating ability.
“He creates scoring chances out there so it’s great to get him back.”
Packard (2), Talus Hume and Chris Hugo scored for Cochrane against Banff. Corey Goeson (2), Sayer McDonald, Brett Berndt, Ransom and Hugo scored in Medicine Hat. Patrick Dove dished out two assists.
