NEWS PHOTO JAMES TUBB
Medicine Hat Cubs forward Cooper Hilworth loads up for a shot in the first period of a 7-3 win over the Mountainview Colts on Saturday at the Kinplex.
jtubb@medicinehatnews.com@ReporterTubb
The Medicine Hat Cubs wrapped up their regular season over the weekend.
They beat the Mountainview Colts 7-3 on Saturday in their final home game of the season before falling 3-2 in Game 38 in Strathmore on Sunday against the Wheatland Kings.
Head coach and general manager Randy Wong said after Saturday’s win they wanted to have that lasting win impression at home with their next game being in the second round of the playoffs.
“That was one of our many goals that we had throughout the years to give us that opportunity and we’ve earned that,” Wong said. “We’ll take that in and get prepared and get ready for that first home game, which is a real important game for us to get off on the right foot in the playoff game,. That we hope we can have a long stretch of playoff games.”
Cooper Hilworth had four goals and an assist in Saturday’s win, giving him 36 goals and 70 points on the season which led the league in both categories. He says he didn’t expect to lead the league in scoring at the beginning of the season and credited his teammates.
“Definitely just playing with a good group of guys around you just helps out,” Hilworth said. “The dressing room too, you’re just always in a good mood when you’re playing hockey, so always just positive.”
Captain Levi Schlosser had a goal and an assist and Vaughn Strutt and Caleb Garrecht each scored against the Colts. Kellen Bojic made 25 saves for the win, his sixth in seven games as a Cub.
In Sunday’s loss in Strathmore, Jamal Shaw and Garrecht scored the Cubs goals and Mark Peddle turned aside 18 shots between the pipes.
Wong said Saturday’s win also gives them something to build off as they await their playoff series.
“You always want to do well in your last regular season game at home,” Wong said. “It gives you confidence that when you have to play your next game, the playoff game that it is, you don’t have to change. I think we’ve got the focus and we’ve got the home ice advantage in that first round, so we just want to maintain that and keep it going.”
The Cubs finished their regular season with a record of 27-8-3, good for second place in the HJHL’s South division, earning them a bye past the first round of the playoffs. It also puts them in second place of the league. The only team ahead of the Cubs is the first place Okotoks Bisons (35-3-0), who also get a bye in the first round.
The league’s playoffs get underway Today in the North division with the South Division games not starting until Thursday. Medicine Hat’s second round opponent will be the winner between the Coaldale Copperheads and the Wheatland Kings. The game dates of that second round series are to be determined.
