Medicine Hat Cubs forward Kyle Woolridge celebrates his tying goal in the Cubs 3-2 overtime win Friday night at the Kinplex in Game 2 of their semifinal series against the Cochrane Generals. - NEWS PHOTO JAMES TUBB
jtubb@medicinehatnews.com@ReporterTubb
In a span of 48 hours and nine periods of hockey the Medicine Hat Cubs have the lead in their semifinal series.
The Cubs entered Friday’s game trailing the Cochrane Generals 1-0 in the best-of-seven series before winning Game 2, 3-2 in overtime, and taking Saturday’s road Game 3, 4-2 in double overtime, to earn a 2-1 series lead.
Head coach Randy Wong says the win in Game 3 helps them take back the advantage they lost by losing Game 1 at home, and gives the momentum for Game 4 back in Cochrane on Wednesday.
“Getting that win in Cochrane, now we get our home ice back because in playoffs if you can win your home games, you’ll win your series,” Wong said. “Take it one step further and we will get an opportunity to get the next one too and if that’s the case, then we come home Friday and try to close it out then.
“The guys are pretty excited. It was a long game, back and forth type series as it always is. That builds your character, playing in these one-goal games, playing overtime games isn’t a bad thing to establish better character.”
Friday night at the Kinplex the Cubs trailed 2-1 heading into the third period before Kyle Woolridge scored with 25 seconds left in the game for the tie, one Vaughn Strutt would break in overtime for the win. Brady Mahar had the Cubs’ first goal.
On Saturday, Woolridge had all four Cubs goals including the double-overtime-winner 57 seconds into the extra frame. Medicine Hat led the Generals 3-1 early in the third period before Cochrane scored 5:55 into the frame and then capitalized on a late power play to tie the game up with three seconds left.
Woolridge says their bench never faltered when Cochrane scored and credited captain Levi Schlosser for keeping the morale and energy up.
“Everyone on our team knew we had to step up,” Woolridge said. “Schlosser came in that room after the first overtime and he really made sure we knew we’re winning that game. He gave us a good speech and made sure everyone was still staying awake, not giving up because that was our game to win.”
Mark Peddle was in net for both games, making 28 saves in Friday’s win and 27 in Saturday’s victory. The series returns to Cochrane for Game 4 on Wednesday as the Cubs look to take a 3-1 stranglehold and force an elimination game Friday in Medicine Hat.
Wong says the focus for his team is to get some rest after a physical first three games of the series.
“We have a couple of days to kind of relax and to get on the mend a little bit. Both teams are starting to show some wear and tear already, there’s some guys that are banged up on both teams,” Wong said. “We relied on depth whole year and that’s what we’re going to go with in Game 4 and hope to come on out, steal that one and be able to finish off on Friday night at home.
“The guys are ready, they’re excited. When you can win those overtime games it just gives you a little bit more jump and energy and so right now, early in the series, we have that.”
