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HJHL preseason action: Thunder tops Generals

It was only an exhibition game, but the Airdrie Thunder and Cochrane Generals clearly had some unfinished business.
Airdrie Thunder forward Andrew Bergman falls after being hit by his Cochrane General defender during a pre-season matchup at the Ron Ebbesen Arena, Sept. 17.
Airdrie Thunder forward Andrew Bergman falls after being hit by his Cochrane General defender during a pre-season matchup at the Ron Ebbesen Arena, Sept. 17.

It was only an exhibition game, but the Airdrie Thunder and Cochrane Generals clearly had some unfinished business.

The Thunder prevailed 6-3 in a penalty-marred contest, which included a controversial hit-from-behind and eventual game misconduct to the Generals’ Geoff Breachmann with 13 seconds left, on Sept. 17 at the Ron Ebbesen Arena in Airdrie.

“Exhibition games aren’t supposed to be this emotional, but obviously there is some history dating back to the playoffs last year,” said Thunder head coach Darryl Einarson, referring to the Thunder’s four-game sweep back in February. “It took us a little while to get rolling here tonight, as we’re still working on the chemistry and different line combinations.”

“We got beat, but I wasn’t concerned about the score, as it’s our first game,” said Generals’ head coach Dana Boothby, adding that Brechmann was released from the team following the game. “I’m more concerned to see which guys are capable and which guys we’re going to move forward with. We just have to identify some athletes.”

Cochrane’s Landon Bergh opened the scoring four minutes into the game. Alex Diduch and Patrick Coady then scored less than two minutes apart to make it 2-1 Airdrie. Jordan Davidson tied the game early in the second for the Generals.

But the game’s turning point happened with about six minutes left in the middle period, after Airdrie took two penalties six seconds apart. This set up a Cochrane 5-on-3 power play, which they scored on. But Boothby said they didn’t carry any momentum out of it.

“We didn’t get momentum at any stage really,” he said. “Airdrie kept coming and I think they skated harder than we did.”

“The period break was certainly timely for us,” Einarson said. “They did score to tie it late, but then the break gave us a chance to settle down and I thought we played a great third period. Their goalie played really well to hold it to six goals.”

Cache Doolaege’s slap shot, and eventual game-winning goal, from the point early in the third put the Thunder up 4-3. Two minutes later, Ryan Russell completed a pretty passing play between himself and Brett Buehler to put Airdrie out of reach. Coady added his second of the game on the power play with less than two minutes left to make the final 6-3.

Logan Marlow started in net for the Thunder and made several key saves early in the third period to help maintain Airdrie’s lead.

“Marlow was very good today and he can certainly play in this league,” Einarson said.

The coaches weren’t overly concerned about the scoreboard, they said, and both teams didn’t play a number of their veterans and haven’t worked on power play or shorthanded situations at this point in the preseason.

“Our timing is off and it showed early in the first period when they put pressure on us,” Einarson said. “It’s those types of things we have work on. But our guys played hard and it was a very entertaining game. As a coach, that’s what you want to see.”

“I saw lots of good things and lots to work on,” Boothby said. “Looks like we’ve got a fun season ahead of us.”

The Thunder played another exhibition game on Sept. 19, but fell to the Okotoks Bisons 9-4. Its next home game is an exhibition game against the Red Deer Vipers on Sept. 24. Game time is 8 p.m. at the Ron Ebbesen Arena.

The Generals beat Strathmore 9-8 on Sept. 19. Its next game will be in Okotoks against the Bisons on Sept. 24.

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