Cubs finish 2018 on a high
By Ryan McCracken on December 22, 2018.
rmccracken@medicinehatnews.com @MHNMcCracken The Medicine Hat Travelodge Cubs will take a five-game winning streak into the New Year following a calm and collected 5-0 victory over the Lomond Lakers on Friday night at the Kinplex. Four different Cubs shook the twine and Brett Vanderveer stopped all 17 shots he faced to push the Cubs into sole possession of fourth place in the Heritage Junior Hockey League’s Southern Division with a 13-11-3 record. “It doesn’t matter what line, 1-2-3-4, every line can put the puck in the net,” said Tigers forward Noah Irvine. “Our first half of the season schedule was really tough so it’s nice how we were able to finish out (2018). The games we needed to win, we’ve been winning them. That’s going to help us down the stretch when the playoff push comes, we have these 10 points in the bag.” Mason Fischer opened the scoring 41 seconds into the second period then Chandler Aleman doubled up on Medicine Hat’s lead two minutes later. The Lakers pushed back with a bit of sustained pressure thanks to back-to-back power plays late in the second, but they were only able to generate a handful of quality scoring chances in the frame and Vanderveer stopped every one. The Cubs went back to work in the third period. Chandler Aleman stretched the lead to three goals by breaking down the right wing and threading a shot through Lakers goaltender Theo Paskuski, then Mackenzie Fritzler finished off a behind-the-net pass from Desmond Crawford a few minutes later and Irvine added a late tally on a quick wrist shot to push the game out of reach. “We had a full team effort. I believe we played a full 60,” said Fritzler, who finished the night with two points. “It’s great to end it off like this. It was a tough start in the beginning but coming out with the last five is great É It gives a big boost of confidence for everyone on the team, knowing we can actually do it and compete with every team.” Pakuski took the loss on 39 saves, dropping Lomond to 5-23-0 on the year. The Cubs return to the Kinplex to host the Okotoks Bisons on Jan. 5. 11
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