Cubs looking for consistency ahead of final regular season weekend

jtubb@medicinehatnews.com
@ReporterTubb

With playoff hockey around the corner, the Medicine Hat Cubs look to find their stride in the final weekend.

The Cubs head into their final two games of the regular season off an 8-6 loss Wednesday at the Kinplex to the High River Flyers, who they face again Friday.

Head coach Randy Wong says they are better than what they showed in the first matchup.

“We work hard for our goals, we make good plays,” Wong said. “Power play you to move the puck around to score a goal, a guy drives wide and gets a good shot on net, we deserved that, they didn’t do anything wrong.

“We just executed a good play, a good hockey play and in return, it felt like we turn the puck over in primetime situations. We give them opportunity freebies.

“I’m getting tired of it. Seeing a turnover result in the giveaways, result in goals against shouldn’t happen. For the guys at this level, they’re bigger, they’re better than that. That’s just focus to me, and our intensity level and our focus just have to be way better.”

The Cubs trailed High River 4-3 after 40 minutes and attempted a third-period comeback that was snuffed out by the Flyers’ four goals. Kyle Woolridge and Caleb Garrecht each had two goals and an assist. Owen Wagner had a goal and an assist and Gerret Harty had a solo marker. Tyler Wakelam started and split duties with Dominik Jagielski for a combined 33 saves.

Medicine Hat heads into the weekend now tied for second place in the South division with a record of 23-9-4. Their 50 points are even with the Coaldale Copperheads, though the Cubs still hold two games in hand and own the tiebreaker. Wong says they’ve been in control of their own destiny for the last week but have to capitalize on it.

“We have to get by this game, because you’ve got two more games to play. It is what it is, we didn’t get the result we wanted,” Wong said. “We can feel sorry for ourselves if we want, but at the end of the day, we have to play better Friday night in High River to try and get what we want, where we want to finish in the regular season, have that first-round bye and to be able to play that second round at home. That’s what we’re pushing for.”

The Cubs follow up their game against High River on Friday by taking on the Cochrane Generals on Saturday, both games on the road. A win in either game, or Coaldale losing their final game, secures the Cubs a first-round bye and home ice advantage in the second round.

With a practice Wednesday for preparation and a couple days to soak in the loss, Wong says they should be focused for the games ahead and to accomplish their regular season goals.

“We’ve got guys in the room ready for playoffs, we just want to get there,” Wong said. “We have to make sure to not put the cart before the horse. You have to get through regular season, you have to finish off, get that one more win. So we’ll dial them back a little bit, get them focused and get ready for Friday, Saturday on the road.”