Ten straight wins have kept the Cochrane Generals drive alive to snatch a bye from the first round of playoffs of the Heritage Junior Hockey League (HJHL), but you can bet the Coaldale Copperheads want a say in the matter.

On the road, the Gens downed the Ponoka Stampeders, 5-3, Jan. 20 and now return home for two important games this weekend, including one against the south-leading Copperheads.

The Stampeders didn't go down without a fight. The game was tied 2-2 after two and it took three goals in the third for the Gens to earn two points.

"We seem to have a bit of trouble with those guys," says Gens head coach Travis McMillan. "They work. I think their biggest attribute is they're a workhorse team and if you don't respond in a positive manner they can steal some games if they really want to."

"They did give us a run for our money, for sure, but thankfully enough we pulled it together in the third period and managed to squeak out another win."

Brandon Aab and Braden Bain each had a three-point night, both with two goals and an assist, Scott Shugg chipped in an empty netter with eight seconds left. Carter Cugnet and Takuro Okada each had two assists and other helpers went to Chad Chudleigh, Jordan Marks and Keenan McElroy 

Robert Michetti made 33 saves on the night.

Only seven games remain in the regular season for the Gens and every one of them is important. 

"I think you can say that every weekend for us right until the end of the season is a big weekend," says McMillan. 

"I'm sure If we do well in these next seven games we'll sneak into that second place seed by the end of the season and we'll get a bye."

Statistically, the Gens have a better win percentage than the second place Okotoks Bisons and are three points behind them with two games in hand.

The Gens face the Strathmore Wheatland Kings here on Friday night then host the south-leading Copperheads for the first time this season on Sunday afternoon.

There's a lot of the line for both of the visiting clubs. The Kings are in a dead heat for fourth with the Medicine Hat Cubs. Coaldale may be first in the south but they have yet to beat the Gens this season. Combine that with a loss to the Red Deer Vipers last weekend and you can bet they're hungry for a win.

Expect some solid, fast-paced hockey action this weekend at the Cochrane Arena. The puck drops at 7:30 p.m. on Friday night and at 3:15 p.m. Sunday afternoon.