Cubs drop Game 1 of South finals Wednesday

By James Tubb on March 8, 2023.

The Medicine Hat Cubs find themselves behind 1-0 for the second straight series.

The Cubs were shut out 4-0 Wednesday night in Okotoks during Game 1 of their South finals series against the Bisons. Medicine Hat lost Game 1 of their semifinals series against the Cochrane Generals before winning the series in six games.

Neither teams scored in the first period as Okotoks outshot the Cubs 11-4 after 20 minutes.

Bisons forward Jaevon Buschlen opened the scoring getting the final touch on a flurry of chances in front of Medicine Hat net minder Kellen Bojic. They added to their lead with 4:45 left in the second period with a power play goal from Caden Scott as they led 2-0 after 40 minutes, they were also outshooting Medicine Hat 29-12.

The Cubs almost made the game 2-1 before the goal was called back due to a high stick. Okotoks took a 3-0 lead with 10:12 left in the third on a goal from rookie forward Easton Dean. Less than four minutes later, Bisons forward Boogie Blackwater gave the home team the final score of 4-0 with a power play goal.

The final shots were the Bisons outshooting Medicine Hat 38-22 with Bojic making 34 saves in the loss. Across the ice from him, Dylan Fries turned aside all 22 shots he faced.

Medicine Hat looks to draw even in the series on Friday when they are back in Okotoks for Game 2. The Cubs first home game is Sunday when they series returns for Game 3 at the Kinplex. That game gets underway at 2:45 p.m.

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