Cubs grab semifinals series lead with OT win Saturday

By James Tubb on February 26, 2023.

The Medicine Hat Cubs and Cochrane Generals went the distance and a little more Saturday night.

The Cubs beat the Generals 4-3 in Cochrane  57 seconds into double overtime to take a 2-1 semifinals series lead. Medicine Hat entered the contest off an 3-2 overtime win Friday in Medicine Hat.

Kyle Woolridge scored his first of four goals in the opening frame, putting the Cubs on the board with a power play marker with 1:28 left in the period. Colby Friedrich had the lone assist.

Woolridge had his second power play goal, scoring 8:16 into the second period for the 2-0 Medicine Hat lead. Levi Schlossser and Friedrich had the helpers. The Generals answered back 6:07 later with a goal from James Quaife.

The Cubs quickly jumped ahead 3-1 early in the third period as Woolridge notched his hat trick 1:31 into the final frame. Schlosser had the assist.

Cochrane drew within one a little over four minutes later with a goal from Logan Paquette. With a man advantage and the goalie pulled the Generals Caden Stephenson scored with three seconds left to tie the game up at 3-3.

The first 10-minute overtime period solved nothing and forced a 20-minute second overtime, although it didn’t last long. With a power play the Cubs secured the win with Woolridge’s fourth goal of the game and sixth of the playoffs. Dylan Trembecki and Friedrich notched the assists as the Cubs headed back to Medicine Hat with a 2-1 series lead.

Mark Peddle, who was between the pipes in Friday’s win, had 27 saves on Saturday for the victory. The Cubs look to build off Saturday’s win and take a commanding 3-1 series lead when they head back to Cochrane for Game 4 on Wednesday.

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