The Medicine Hat Cubs find the back of the net for the fourth and final time on Friday night in a 4-1 win over the Cannex Cochrane Generals. (Image Credit: Jesse Gill/CHAT News)

By Jesse Gill

Sports

Medicine Hat Cubs take game one of HJHL South Finals in front of large hometown crowd

Feb 28, 2026 | 2:57 PM

The crowd at the Kinplex was near capacity on Friday night to cheer on the Medicine Hat Cubs, as they kicked off game one of the HJHL South Finals against the Cannex Cochrane Generals.

A crowd that was energized each time the Cubs scored in a 4-1 win over the Generals.

“The noise in the building, it gets everybody into it,” Cubs head coach Trent Derzaph said.

“Getting that first goal is huge for our team. We’ve got 700 to 900 fans here.”

The fans didn’t have to wait long for a reason to cheer as Cubs forward Jesse Klimosko buried a Randen Collier pass to start the scoring 7:10 into the first period.

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Only 35 seconds later, the momentum kept going with a goal from Cubs captain Kyle Woolridge as he tipped a point shot from Austin Derzaph to make it 2-0.

The Generals would strike back early in the second when Brayden Palinkas tipped one over the shoulder of Cubs goaltender Marlo DeRosa to narrow the Cubs’ lead to 2-1.

Later in the second, the Cubs would open things up with a pair of power-play goals.

The first from forward Jacob Hazzard at the 16:04, with assists to his linemates Connor Chapman and Makhi Carriere, extending the lead to 3-1.

Cubs forward Ethan Burgeson would score an unassisted goal a minute and 19 seconds later to make it 4-1.

That would be it for scoring the rest of the way, as Cubs goaltender Marlo DeRosa had a solid night, stopping 33 of 34 shots.

“You know what, he stole it for us. Sometimes you need that too when we’re not playing a full 60, so it’s huge,” Derzaph said.

The coach was happy with the Cubs’ win, but disappointed with a third period where the Generals outshot the Cubs 16-2, and 34-26 overall in the game.

He was also appreciative of the crowd that showed up.

“Thanks to the fans. The boys really appreciate it, and they get charged off of it, so we’ll see you here on Thursday.”

The Cubs are in Cochrane for game two on Sunday at 3 p.m., and will host game three on Thursday at the Kinplex with an 8:30 p.m. start.