The Cochrane Generals are hoping to kick off a three-game homestand tonight (Feb. 8) with a win against the Ponoka Stampeders.

Every win is crucial if the Gens want to rise in the standings before HJHL playoffs get underway on Feb. 19.

With just one win, the Stampeders have been struggling this season, and will miss playoffs. The last thing Gens head coach Kurtis Jones wants his players to think is it's a guaranteed win. They've dropped their guard before, especially in the third period, and walked away disappointed.

Jones believes when his team plays a full 60 minutes, they're unstoppable. It's especially important this weekend.

"These are big games," says Jones. "These are great games before playoffs, and we have to make the playoffs first and see where we go from there. It's 0-0 in the playoffs, it doesn't matter who you play."

The puck drops at 7 p.m. in Totem One.

Saturday night, the Gens host the High River Flyers who are in a battle with the Strathmore Wheatland Kings for the final playoff berth in the south division. They trail the Kings by three points but have two games in hand.

The Flyers upset the Gens, 10-3, in the first game of 2024.

Sunday, the Medicine Hat Cubs, who have a four-point lead on the Gens, are in town for a matinee game. Cochrane sees them twice before the regular season ends, both times on home ice.