The Cochrane Gens shook off a second-period slump to stifle the High River Flyers in the third and notch their fourth straight win.

At yesterday's game here in Cochrane, the Gens limited the Flyers to just five shots in the third while scoring two to open a three-goal spread and take the game 6-3.

River Ross and Caylin Wildman were back from injuries and along with linemate Ben Davison each notched one goal and produced a total of six points. Scott Shugg, Chris Sambrook and Harry Olser had the other markers. Defenceman Jordan Marks assisted on two while Ryan Davis, Caden Chudleigh and Takuro Okada each had one.

Ben Davison (19) and River Ross (23) and linemate Caylin Wildman each scored one and accumulated a total of six points.Head coach Travis McMillan says the latter part of the second period has been a low point in the game for the club this season and it's something they're working to improve.

"The guys need to make other teams earn stuff, we can't give them things. We can't give them opportunities, we can't give them the puck, we can't give them turnovers and scoring opportunities. I think the guys responded very well in the third period and we bounced back in a positive way and I'm happy to see it."

Head coach Travis McMillan had been counting on a strong finish to their December play in what he saw as a crucial month for the team to gain some grounds in the south standings of the Heritage Junior Hockey League. How the team does in a tough January and February schedule will be the acid test.

"We're in the hunt. I think we have a real good chance of making a good push for second place. Obviously, Coaldale being already over 44 points is something difficult to touch, especially with only 15 games left in the season, but I have every confidence in the guys in the dressing room to pull through and make a strong push for second place."

After a slow start, the Gens have been steadily gaining grounds on the Okotoks Bisons. Both have played 25 games and the Gens are just four points behind. 

Injuries have shortened the Gens bench in December and the team is hoping to use the two-week Christmas break to mend.

"Having the last five games that we've had and having the record that we have I think it's really shown that most of the guys, like the third and fourth line, have really stepped up and now we have a bit of a break and we can get healthy and come back with a full roster and guys ready to go. I think we have a very good chance of making a good run."

While there's a battle brewing for second place, you can say the same for fourth. The Medicine Hat Cubs and Strathmore Wheatland Kings are neck-and-neck. On the strength of a four-game winning streak, the Cubs are just one point behind the Kings with a game in hand.