Despite a fierce battle on the ice, the Cannex Cochrane Generals fell short in close 3-4 overtime match against the Carstar Okotoks Bisons in game two of the HJHL semifinals on Feb. 23.
The Generals secured their ticket into the semifinals after defeating the Coaldale Copperheads in a best-of-three series that took place from Feb. 13 to 16.
Following their 2-3 loss in Okotoks on Feb. 21, the Generals returned to their home ice at the SLS Centre for game two in their current best-of-five series against the Bisons.
In the first period, Seamus Garagan and Jakob Semeniuk secured a 0-2 lead for the Bisons. By the second period, Jayden Barney scored the first goal of the match for the Generals, but Semeniuk secured a second goal to end the second period 1-3 for the Bisons.
In an intense third period battle, Brendan Thubron and Evan Malcolm secured two goals for the Generals that brought the game into overtime.
With around two-and-a-half minutes left on the clock, Adam Kirkpatrick of the Bisons made the game winning goal and secured a 4-3 victory over the Generals.
With the Bisons securing their second win in the best-of-five series, the Generals will be returning to the Murray and Piper Arena for game three on Feb. 28.
If the Generals can take down the Bisons in game three, they will return the SLS Centre on Mar. 1 for game four.
The Generals are looking to secure their third HJHL title since 2007-2008 and 2008-2009. The Bisons are 14-time HJHL champions and provincial gold medallists, currently in pursuit of their fourth consecutive title.
