NEWS PHOTO RYAN MCCRACKEN Medicine Hat Cubs forward Mason Fischer celebrates with teammate Spencer Chapman after scoring the overtime winner against the Cochrane Generals in a Heritage Junior Hockey League game on Sunday at the Kinplex.
rmccracken@medicinehatnews.com@MHNMcCracken
The all-stars were shining at the Kinplex this weekend.
Aiming to enter the holiday break on a high, the Medicine Hat Cubs rallied for three straight victories – including a wild 4-3 overtime victory against the Cochrane Generals Sunday – to take over sole possession of second in the Heritage Junior Hockey League’s Southern Division entering the New Year.
“As a coaching staff, that’s a goal we had at the start of the year, to kind of be in that top two,” said co-coach JD Gaetan, whose Cubs hold an 18-7-2 record. “To be able to finish at the Christmas break in that top-two spot where we want to be, it’s a huge confidence boost for the guys.”
Sunday’s win vaulted Medicine Hat past both Cochrane (17-8-2) and the Coaldale Copperheads (18-9-1) to take over second by a one-point margin. The Cubs also have a game in hand over the Copperheads – who they’ll face when they return to the ice on Jan. 4 in Coaldale.
The Cubs were guided to their three-straight victories by 11 combined points from forwards Mason Fischer and Chandler Aleman and a strong defensive outing from Fletcher Aleman. All three Cubs will represent the Southern Division when Medicine Hat hosts the all-star game on Jan. 5.
“It’s exciting to get a nod to the all-star game and you can see it, that they’re definitely picking up their game and playing like all-stars,” said Gaetan. “We can put them on the ice in any situation and they’re going to step up for us.”
Trailing Cochrane 3-2 in the final minute of regulation Sunday, all three took to the ice and Fischer set up Spencer Chapman for a late equalizer.
Five minutes later, Chapman returned the favour to Fischer – sealing the 4-3 comeback in the final minute of sudden death to clear Medicine Hat’s bench in celebration.
“The plan was just to win it back to the D and just get pucks on net,” said Fischer. “We just wanted to get the traffic going in front. It seemed to kick off someone’s skate and I just potted it in.”
Fischer joined up with the Cubs at the end of last season after spending the past few years competing with various teams in the Alberta Junior Hockey League, the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League and the Manitoba Junior Hockey League. After posting 21 goals and 14 assists this season, the 21-year-old Medicine Hat product says it’s nice to be noticed with an all-star nod.
“It’s good to come back and get that recognition here and be able to provide for our team, and show that we’ll be a good team this year,” said Fischer. “Playing with both the Alemens in the all-star game is huge. Those are two kids who have the junior A talent – to be able to play there – and they chose to play here and provide for their team at home.”
Fletcher, 19, joined Fischer and his twin brother Chandler in achieving all-star status last week – replacing injured teammate Joshua Schafer on the blue line. While it’s an unfortunate situation, Fletcher says he’s exciting to take on the experience.
“I hate to hear that I replaced Schafer, because I know that he wanted to go, but I’m excited,” said Fletcher, who has four goals and eight assists on the back end. “This is my first all-star game, so I think it’ll be fun.”
Chandler agreed it’s tough to see Schafer – who is expected to return for playoffs – missing from the all-star lineup, but he’s happy to have his brother along for the ride.
“I’m happy for him,” said Chandler, who has 20 goals and 13 assists this season. “It’s not very good for Schafer, but I guess another teammate is coming and I’m happy for him and I’m happy for Fischer.”
Chandler opened Sunday’s scoring less than two minutes into the game. Cochrane’s Patrick Forde evened things up before the break, then Fischer took back the lead with a shorthanded goal in the second.
Again the Generals responded in kind with a goal from Dean Olenyk, then Carter Cugnut gave Cochrane their first lead of the night early in the third – but Fischer and Chapman saved the day for Medicine Hat with their late-game heroics.
Cochrane’s Erik Garber stopped 31 shots in the loss, while Hat netminder Dawsen Savage held on to secure the victory with a 46-save performance.
“It’s unbelievable,” said Fletcher. “He’s impressed me. I think he’s outdone himself, he’s done very well.”
Sunday’s comeback followed up Saturday’s 5-2 victory over the Strathmore Wheatland Kings. Chandler scored twice in the win, while Fischer and Noah Irvine each added a goal and an assist. Desmond Crawford rounded out the scoring for Medicine Hat.
Jaycob Masciangelo and Wacy Sandum scored for Strathmore in the loss.
Medicine Hat goaltender Logan Leroux collected Saturday’s win with 30 stops, while Brett Willan was left with a 39-save loss – dropping Strathmore to 8-19-0.
