The Cochrane Generals have bounced back with vengeance after two big wins this weekend to get back in the saddle.

An important 5-3 win against the Airdrie Techmation Thunder Friday night was followed by the total domination of the winless Ponoka Stampeders, Sept. 30, in their season home opener.

Erik Garber notched his second win between the pipes. His first shutout of the season came in a game where the Stampeders posed little offensive punch and the Gens defence was stingy. Garber also made some dazzling saves late in the game to protect the blanking.

The 18-year old Washington native could perhaps be the missing piece of the puzzle for the team, but Donald isn't quick to shoulder blame upon the performance of the other two goalies In their opening games. The Gens lost their season opener on the road,10-3, despite outshooting the Okotoks Bison before losing in Strathmore. Donald points out the Gens coughed up several damaging odd-man rushes.

"We were pushing hard for that offense and were leaving a lot of  two-on-ones, three-on-ones. The first couple of games it was really bad. And when you outshoot a team and lose by five or six goals, there's a lot of variables; it's not just the guy standing between the pipes."

Donald said the difference in play between week one and week two was night and day and the team is finding its way.

"I think we're finding our pace. In the first two games we floundered in some areas and never really did self define. Now we've stepped up the temple to what we want. We're playing physical, guys are playing hard and we're playing with excitement and energy."

It's always nice to come home, too, after opening the season with three games on the road.

"The guys wanted to get home, they wanted to play that first game and get things turned around. I think we did a great job last night and tonight."

The penalty box bench was kept warm by the Gens but it didn't slow their offensive punch. Two of their goals were scored short-handed and late in the game their powerplay chipped in with two of their own.

"I think our guys were smart. They waited for opportunities and when they were there, they jumped on loose pucks, especially in the penalty killl. There were a lot of loose pucks in the neutral zone."

It was a four-point night for the Gens veteran sniper, Slater Ransom, with two goals and two assists. He was paired with Talus Hume, another offensive powerhouse, who scored one and assisted on both of Ransom's goals. Braden Bain and Walid Hassin both scored a scored a pair while Colton Wong scored the opening goal and assisted on the last. Jaeden Dowling had a pair of assists while Austin Keller, Zach Cugnet, Scott Shugg and Jared Domingo all had one.

The Gens are home on Friday night to take on another north division rival, Three Hills Thrashers. The puck drops at 7:30 p.m.