Crunch time arrives for Cubs

By Ryan McCracken on February 5, 2018.

rmccracken@medicinehatnews.com @MHNMcCracken

The Medicine Hat Travelodge Cubs will need to make up some ground with just two games left in the regular season.

The Cubs fell into the basement of the Heritage Junior Hockey League’s Southern Division with a 4-3 loss to the Strathmore Wheatland Kings Saturday. While all six teams in the division will advance to the post-season regardless of their record, Cubs head coach JD Gaetan says they’re hoping to avoid meeting the Cochrane Generals in the opening round.

“If we can jump into the second-last playoff spot there I think we’ll have a good shot against High River in the first round,” said Gaetan. “I think we’re just coming together a little bit.”

With just two games left to make up the point, Cubs forward Noah Irvine — who leads the team with 41 points, including two goals in Saturday’s loss —says the playoffs have essentially already started.

“We know from now on every game we have to play like it’s a playoff game,” said Irvine. “We can’t be taking any nights off, everyone has to work their hardest. Everyone knows their role, they just need to do what they’re told to do.”

The Cubs have been playing some of their strongest hockey down the stretch, going 2-2-1 over their past five games while being outscored just 20-18 in the span. Gaetan says it’s the result of his younger players gathering experience and chemistry in the league, and what better time for a boost than playoffs.

“We have a young team and I think we’re little more used to the league, seeing the teams play and know their style,” said Gaetan. “It’s starting to click for us a little bit, and it’s a good time to click.”

Part of Medicine Hat’s recent success can be attributed to the performance of goaltender Josh Breznik. The 18-year-old Coaldale product joined the Cubs at the end of October and has been consistently upping his play in the 20 games since, earning the title of HJHL player of the week on Jan. 28 after logging 112 saves over two contests.

“He’s been good for us since the start, but it just seems like every game he gets better,” said Gaetan. “He’s been playing his best hockey of the year and hopefully we can keep that rolling.”

Medicine Hat was scheduled to play Sunday in Cochrane against the Generals, but the game was cancelled.

The Cubs will look to reclaim fifth place in the South Division when they meet up with the Generals in Bow River on Saturday before closing out the regular season Sunday in Okotoks against the Bisons.

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