Cubs drops Game 1 in Okotoks

By James Tubb on March 1, 2022.

The Medicine Hat Cubs are still looking for that first win against the Okotoks Bisons.

The Cubs fell 3-1 to the Bisons Tuesday night in Game 1 of their HJHL South Finals matchup, as they now trail Okotoks 1-0 in their third round playoff series.

Tuesday night marked the first loss of the playoffs for the Cubs who swept the Coaldale Copperheads in their second round series after receiving a first round bye.

It was a busy first period in Okotoks as Jaevon Buschlen got the Bisons on the board first at home, only 17 seconds into the contest. They followed it up five minutes later with a goal from Alaister Standen to take a 2-0 lead.

The Cubs got themselves on the board a little under two minutes after Standen’s goal, as Jacob Milne scored a power play goal to bring Medicine Hat within one. Dylan Trembecki and Connor Douglas had the assists on Milne’s fourth goal of the playoffs.

With 3:33 left in the first period, Okotoks Adam Kirkpatrick converted a Bisons power play to restore their two goal lead heading into the first intermission. Kirkpatrick’s goal was the last offence of the game as the Bisons outshot the Cubs 33-25 enroute to their 3-1 win.

Cubs net minder Dawsen Savage made 30 saves in his first loss of the postseason. Across the ice, Bisons goalie Layton Draper turned aside 24 shots to secure the series lead for Okotoks.

The Cubs next chance to pick up their first win against Okotoks this season and tie the series up at 1-1 goes Friday night back in Okotoks. That game gets underway at 8 p.m.

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