The 4-3 preseason thriller between the Cochrane Generals and Airdrie Thunder last night (Sept. 7) at Totem One had all the makings of a mid-season matchup.
The Gens' second of three preseason games and the only one on home ice, was fast, physical and had fans on their edge of their seats when the Thunder's Tyson Sandhu tied it up with one second remaining in regulation.
In three-on-three overtime play, Nathan Sheriffs netted the winner for the Gens with 1:41 remaining.
After a scoreless first period, Justin Campbell opened up the scoring for the Thunder early in the second. Cobin Housley tied it up on a powerplay goal and Evan Sine put the Gens ahead 2-1 by the end of the period.
Thunder Daytn Kulynych tied the score early in the third before Kaycee Bearspaw scored the go-ahead goal for the Gens at 16:36d.
Shots on net were 41-28 in favour of the Gens.
Gens head coach Derek Bell says he had expected the Thunder to play a more physical game after handily losing the first in the home-and-home series 7-1 to the Gens the night before in Airdrie.
Since last weekend's training camp, the Gens have reduced their roster to 25 players and will be required to reduce it even further down the road.
He was impressed with the quality of players the camp attracted.
"There is lots of young talent coming up, tons of speed and youth, which is great for this organization for years to come."
"We're still hanging on to quite a few guys right now. We're making sure we're picking the right players. A lot of guys sometimes need a little bit of time, more than others, and we want to make sure we're giving that time to them."
There are other players trying out for AJHL and KIJHL teams who continue to connect with the club.
"So, we'll be mixing it up for a while, but we still have lots of time to put together the right team of guys."
The Gens have one more preseason game in Didsbury against the Mountainview Colts on Sept. 13 before the HJHL regular season gets under.
Even then, we won't see them at Totem One until their season opener on Oct. 11.
Bell says there are some positives to be taken from starting on the road.
"I don't mind the six games on the road," he says. "I think it's a great time for all of us to bond, to get to know one another as we're travelling. I mean, we're not just coming to the rink and then scattering; they're going to be on the bus together, singing, laughing and having a good time."