Updated: Cubs blank Calgary Northstars 2-0 to remain undefeated at Provincials

By James Tubb on April 2, 2026.

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jtubb@medicinehatnews.com

The Medicine Hat Cubs are off to a 2-0 start at Jr. B Provincials.

They blanked the CNHA Black 2-0 Thursday afternoon for a second-straight win at the Provincials tournament held in Lloydminster. The Cubs beat the host Bandits 4-2 late Wednesday night to open the tournament. The win gives the Cubs nine straight victories, dating back to the second round of the HJHL Playoffs.

Head coach Trent Derzaph says they weathered the quick turnaround and finished as the better team Wednesday.

“Overall the guys bought in and played a simple game again,” Derzaph said. “With the quick turnaround, I thought we got better as the game went on and found some opportunities after the first to change things up a little bit and we took it to them the rest of the way. So it was good, they were a good team, but we were better.”

Cubs starter Kayne Wright stopped all 32 shots he faced Thursday, turning over the net at the end of the final buzzer to cap off the shutout. Thursday’s game was Wright’s first since Feb. 21, a 5-0 Game 4 loss to the Okotoks Bisons in the second round of the HJHL Playoffs.

“He was outstanding, absolutely outstanding, he kept us in the game throughout and there wre no waffles whatsoever, he just played a dominant game,” Derzaph said. “Just for his confidence, he’s been out since we played Okotoks and to get him back in, then to win with a shutout, he just stepped it up and played an amazing game.”

All of the scoring came in the second period.

Blake Girard scored five minutes into the frame, potting the eventual game winner. Connor Chapman and Jesse Klimosko had the assists.

With 2:48 left in the period, captain Kyle Woolridge scored his first of the provincials tournament, Austin Derzaph setting up the power play goal with Mason Osinski picking up the second assist.

The Cubs outshot Calgary 44-32 in the win. Medicine Hat finished 1-4 on the power play, holding Calgary scoreless on both of their man advantages.

With the packed schedule of the Jr. B Provincials, potentially five games in five days, the Cubs rotated in a few players Thursday as they look to push for the finals Sunday. Derzaph has confidence in all 28 players they brought to Lloydminster and he plans to use them all.

“He knew what we had coming in here with our with our depth, I slid a couple guys in today and we’re going to continue to do that, get everybody in the lineup,” Derzpah said. “There’s not a guy that we brought here that I’m afraid to put in. So it’s we’ve got the depth and we’re using it to our advantage.”

The Cubs (2-0) face the Sherwood Park Knights on Friday at noon. Games can be watched on FloHockey.tv.

The original story has been updated with postgame comments from head coach Trent Derzaph.