Cubs look to bounce back from Game 1 defeat

By JAMES TUBB on March 3, 2022.

jtubb@medicinehatnews.com@ReporterTubb

Giving up a goal 17 seconds into Game 1 wasn’t how the Medicine Hat Cubs wanted to start the HJHL’s South finals.

The Cubs fell 3-1 to the Okotoks Bisons Tuesday night and trail 1-0 in the series.

Head coach Randy Wong said it took them several minutes to recover from the early goal while playing on the road against a tough Bisons team. Wong said he thought besides the first 10 minutes the Cubs played OK, but didn’t capitalize on their chances and were poor defensively.

“We made really poor decisions with the puck and we can’t afford to do that against Okotoks,” Wong said. “You can do that against some weaker teams in our division and league but against the top team you’ve got to be spot on.

“I thought we stood around and watched them move the puck around us in those first 10 minutes of the first period. That’s not how we played all year and I don’t think we need to start doing it against the top team and give them any kind of respect in the sense that we’re not willing to compete hard.”

Jacob Milne had the lone Cubs goal. They head back to Okotoks Friday for Game 2 and a chance to even up the series.

Okotoks scored three goals in the first period and outshot the Cubs 33-25 after 60 minutes. Wong said the compete level has to go up.

“You don’t disrespect your opponent but I don’t think you have to give them that much respect where you don’t think that you are going to compete as hard,” Wong said. “Playing a tough team you have to make them earn everything they get and you have to dig deep, get your nose dirty and play a grittier game.”

Wong said the Cubs won’t be putting in any new systems but will focus on having the will and desire to work harder than the other team.

“It’s going to be about your will to beat these guys and play a game that is going to do it,” Wong said. “If that means you’re going to play with more grit than you ever have, you have to be prepared to do that or you can’t play. So we will not put in any new systems or tactics on how to beat these guys, it comes from the heart and that’s where it starts and ends for me heading into Game 2.”

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