A goal on the buzzer brought the Gens within one, but it was too little, too late in their 3-2 loss to the Medicine Hat Cubs last night at the Cochrane Arena.

The Gens are left in search of a win tonight in Medicine Hat to get back the home-ice advantage in the HJHL south division semifinal series.

The Cubs stepped up their physical play, shut down the Gens' top scoring line, and banked on the puck handling skills of netminder Dawsen Savage to notch the win. They outshot the Gens 42-25, something we haven't seen often this season.

The Cubs held a 2-1 lead before Chandler Aleman scored a powerplay goal with less than five minutes remaining. The Gens scored in the last second of play.

Gens top scorers Patrick Forde and Dean Olenyk were neutralized by a checking line that worked hard to keep the puck out of their reach. They were regularly squeezed off the puck when it did hit their sticks. 

Cubs co-head coach JD Gaetan says since being blanked 6-0 in the first game of the series, they've stepped up their defensive play.

"We did change up our system a little bit because they're a skilled team, their quick, so we have to be a bit more mindful defensively," says Gaetan.

He says it was there first win in Cochrane all season and couldn't have come at a better time. But he knows there are some tough games ahead.

"It gives a little bit of momentum, but it's far from over. It's going to get harder. I know they're going to come to Medicine Hat and push us tomorrow, so we have to be ready to go, and come out with the same effort we've had for the last two games."

Gens assistant coach Erik Krigel says not so fast. He says the Gens know they can beat the Cub, and need to get back the attitude they had in Game One.

"We're going to hit the reset button and we're going to go out and play like we know how to play," says Krigel.

He says Savage in net has given the Cubs more confidence but that bubble can be broken.

"It's going to take us solving him, and we know how to do it. We're just not doing it at the moment."

Game Five goes on Sunday at the Cochrane Arena. The puck drops at 5:30 p.m.