By Scott Roblin

Breznik keeps Cubs alive with 80 save showing against Cochrane

Feb 18, 2018 | 9:51 AM

MEDICINE HAT, AB – Josh Breznik played the game of his life on Saturday night, keeping the Medicine Hat Travelodge Cubs’ season alive in Game 2 of their series with the Cochrane Generals.

Breznik allowed just one goal on 81 shots against, frustrating the Generals for 60 minutes to help the Cubs to a 2-1 victory to force a deciding Game 3 of their quarter-finals series.

This came just two nights after Breznik and the Cubs were shelled for 17 goals, and needing a win on Saturday.

Cochrane outshot Medicine Hat by a count of 25-9 in the first period, but trailed 1-0 score following a Jareh Gray goal midway through the frame.

Both teams battled through the second period with no goals scored, as Breznik faced an additional 24 shots against but remained perfect to give the Cubs a 1-0 lead heading into the third.

HERE'S WHAT TO KNOW

Summer pool hours extended and discounts applied as Big Marble Go Centre upgrades start

Apr 18, 2024

Medicine Hat company drawing in clients with witty signage

Apr 16, 2024

Medicine Hat College holding event for missing and murdered Indigenous women awareness day

Apr 16, 2024

A little over three minutes into the period, Jesse Barsness picked a heck of a time to score his first goal of the season, beating Knute Loe to double the Cubs lead.

Breznik was a man possessed in the third, facing another 32 shots before allowing his only goal of the night with 2:40 remaining to Braden Bain.

The Generals pulled their goalie for an extra attacker with just over a minute left but ran out of time, giving the Cubs their biggest victory of the season to keep their playoff hopes alive.

Breznik said his teammates helped him gain confidence after Thursday’s beating at the hands of the Generals.

“Start of the game, I was feeling a little bit nervous going from a game that’s 17-0 to coming back and trying to bounce back from that,” said Breznik. “The boys helped me out a lot, they cleared away pucks that needed to be cleared away. We played our game together and we got it done today.”

Head coach J.D. Gaetan said it’s remarkable that it’s just another night for the Coaldale product.

“He brings it every game, he doesn’t have too many off games,” said Gaetan. “This is just another game that he held us in, and he gives us a chance to win every game. He’s a guy that can steal a series for you.”

Tying up the series at 1-1, the Cubs and Generals will meet back in Cochrane on Sunday evening with the winner advancing to the South Division semi-finals, while the loser will see their season end.

According to Breznik, the win has sparked the team as the series shifts back to Cochrane.

“It was definitely a fun time out there, definitely gave [myself] better confidence in my play,” he said. “Like I say, we just got take it into [Sunday], got to keep the confidence rolling, the ball going. And, hopefully all the boys can put that into motion and have a great performance, and kick Cochrane out of the playoffs.”

Puck drop at the Spray Lakes Family Sports Centre will go at 5:30 pm.