Medicine Hat Cubs Captain Kyle Woolridge during the 2025 HJHL playoffs against the Agra Risk Wheatland Kings. The Cubs' opponent on Friday night at the Kinplex. File Photo/CHAT News

By Jesse Gill

SPORTS

Medicine Hat Cubs ride five-game winning streak into pair of games at Kinplex this weekend

Nov 28, 2025 | 6:19 PM

The Medicine Hat Cubs have a pair of home games this weekend at the Kinplex with top spot in the Heritage Junior Hockey League’s Gary Wournell South Division up for grabs.

On Friday, the Cubs’ opponent is the Agra Risk Wheatland Kings from Strathmore, who sit one point ahead of the Cubs in the standings.

The Cubs are currently on a five-game winning streak, and head coach Trent Derzaph said their specialty teams are really clicking.

“In our division, we’re sitting first in power play, and first in penalty kill, and across the league, we’re sitting second in power play, and first in penalty kill. So, that’s been huge for us as of late, and we continue to work on that,” Derzaph said.

“With Strathmore coming to town this Friday, we know what they’re about, and obviously, being hosts of the All-Stars, I’m sure they are going to have something to try to prove,” he added.

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“Playing in our own barn in front of our fans is always special for the guys. They get pretty jacked up for that.”

Derzaph said they have a great group of guys that they brought together this year.

“Some great leadership, some vets from last year, but just bringing in a whole whack of young guys. We’ve got 12 rookies on the team, so 50 per cent of our team is rookies this year,” Derzaph said.

“[We] brought in some extreme skill and talent, guys that want to win and are buying in.”

The Cubs have another challenging game Sunday when they take the Sylvan Lake Wranglers, a team tied for first in the Don Lunn North Division.

“We’ve only seen them once this season, and that was up in Sylvan, and we played an outstanding game, probably one of the best games we’ve played all season, with a 3-0 win against them,” Derzaph said.

“That was early on, so I know we’ve added some depth since, and the guys are gelling that much more,” he added.

“Looking forward to this weekend, it’s a big weekend for points for us, but so was last weekend, and we walked through it. So, just got to keep rolling.”

The Cubs handed the Red Deer Vipers only their second regulation loss of the season last Sunday, defeating the Carstar Okotoks Bisons 4-2 the day before.

Puck drop for Friday’s game is at 7:30 p.m., with Sunday’s at 3 p.m.

The Grinch will be on-site at the Sunday game to support Santa for Seniors, with photos available for $5.

The Cubs will also be accepting gift donations for seniors, including unwrapped blankets and personal care items to put under the donation tree.

There will also be raffle prizes, crafts and intermission activities.

Derzaff has been impressed with the team and its support in his first season with the Cubs.

“I can’t say enough about the organization and support that the community brings us. It’s huge,” Derzaff said.

“It’s cheap entertainment for fans to come out and watch some good hockey.”