By JAMES TUBB on February 8, 2023.
jtubb@medicinehatnews.com@ReporterTubb The Medicine Hat Cubs have secured themselves a much desired first-round bye in the HJHL playoffs. With two wins over the weekend the Cubs have clinched second place in the South division, giving them a first-round bye in the playoffs. The Cubs opened their weekend with a 6-4 win in Coaldale on Saturday. Connor Douglas, Cooper Hilworth and Kyle Woolridge each had a goal and an assist in the win. Vaughn Strutt Colby Friedrich and Josh Drefs each also scored a goal. Kellen Bojic picked up the win between the pipes with 21 saves as Medicine Hat outshot Coaldale 24-23. Sunday’s 5-3 win at the Kinplex against the High River Flyers was the clincher for the Cubs. Owen Wagner, Strutt and Hilworth each registered a goal and an assist and Callen Prosofsky and Friedrich each added a goal. Drefs had two helpers in the win. Mark Peddle picked up the victory stopping 13 shots as the Cubs outshot the Flyers 45-16. The Cubs (26-7-3) are back at the Kinplex Saturday to face the Mountainview Colts in their final home game of the regular season. Puck drop is 3 p.m. The team wraps up the regular season Sunday in Strathmore against the Wheatland Kings. 8