The Cubs continued their winning ways on Wednesday in Lloydminster after last playing in Red Deer on March 21. (Image Credit: Jesse Gill/CHAT News)

By Jesse Gill

Sports

Medicine Hat Cubs sit at top of standings at Provincials after day one win over Lloydminster

Apr 2, 2026 | 9:08 AM

The Medicine Hat Cubs were the only team to win a game in regulation at the Junior B Provincials in Lloydminster on the opening day of the tournament.

A winning streak for the Cubs that has now reached eight games.

The host Lloydminster Bandits played the Cubs tough on Wednesday night, but never had a lead throughout the contest, as the Cubs skated to a 4-2 win.

Striking first in the contest were the Cubs halfway through the first period, as forward Nolen Sutherland put one past the Bandits’ goaltender after beating out an icing and picking up a puck that bounced in front of the net. Picking up assists were a pair of defencemen. Carter Allan had shot the puck the length of the ice after getting a pass from Slade McFadzen.

Heading into the second period up 1-0, the Cubs’ lead would soon vanish quickly early in the second period. Bandits forward Aidan Martens caught a pass in front of the net, quickly making a slick move to the backhand to deke past Cubs goaltender Marlo DeRosa and tie things up at one, just 31 seconds into the second frame.

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With the Cubs shorthanded midway through the period, forward Jesse Klimosko would score a highlight-reel goal. The unassisted marker came after the Bandits player lost control of the puck, and Klimosko made a nice move to deke around a defender and a goaltender to give the Cubs a 2-1 lead.

Sutherland would get his second goal of the game with 4:40 remaining in the second period. Forward Jacob Hazzard would smack a bouncing puck out front, and a quick shot by Sutherland gave the Cubs a 3-1 lead. Defenceman Blake Girard also picked up an assist.

That lead would be extended to 4-1 when Cubs forward Parker Kienzle snuck a well-placed shot past the Bandits goaltender after a drop pass from forward Randen Collier.

The Bandits would narrow the Cubs’ lead to 4-2 after Cole Kelly picked off a pass late in the third period and shot in past DeRosa before he had a chance to react.

Derosa stopped 25 of 27 shots in the net for the Cubs, while Shae Stewart stopped 21 of 25 for the Bandits.

With the round-robin format of the tournament, the Cubs earned three points for the win.

The Vermilion Tigers, who defeated CNHA Black 5-4 in overtime, and the La Crete Lumber Barons, who beat the Sherwood Park Knights 6-5 in overtime earlier on Thursday, each gained two points in the standings. At the same time, their opponents earned a single point for reaching extra time.

Provincial action continues Thursday with the Cubs taking on CNHA Black out of Calgary at noon.

The top four teams from the six-team round-robin will play for medals, including a gold medal game between the first and second-place teams, and a bronze medal game between the third and fourth-place teams.

The fifth and sixth-place teams will get an early trip home after finishing on Saturday.

Medicine Hat Cubs Provincials Schedule:

• Wednesday, April 1 – Lloydminster Bandits (4-2 Win)
• Thursday, April 2 – noon vs. CNHA Black
• Friday, April 3 – noon vs. Sherwood Park Knights
• Saturday, April 4 – 6 p.m. vs. Vermilion Tigers

Potential Games:

• Sunday, April 5 – 10:30 a.m. – Bronze Medal Game
• Sunday, April 5 – 2 p.m. – Gold Medal Game

The full provincial schedule and results can be viewed here.