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Cubs struggle to contain Thunder attack, drop fifth straight at home

Oct 14, 2018 | 1:03 PM

MEDICINE HAT, AB – A strong start was quickly undone for the Medicine Hat Travelodge Cubs on Saturday night, dropping their fifth straight game against the undefeated Airdrie Thunder.

Three goals within a six minute span in the second period sunk the Cubs, as the Thunder were able to roll to a dominant 6-1 victory.

Airdrie controlled the first period with 17 shots compared to just one from Medicine Hat, but they went to the intermission with just a 1-0 lead after a mid-period marker from Logan Rutherford.

Defender Fletcher Aleman was able to get the Cubs on the score sheet 5:49 into the second period, tying up the game at 1-1 off a shot that beat Thunder goalie Ryan Simpson.

After that however, the ice tilted in Airdrie’s favour with back-to-back goals from Rylan Plante-Crough in just under six minutes gave the Thunder the lead once again 3-1.

Thunder forward Jordan McConnell added another goal with 2:24 left in the period, boosting the visitors to a 4-1 lead after 40 minutes of play.

Medicine Hat outshot the Thunder 13-12 in the third period, but goals from Michal Wojciechowski and McConnell in the final frame sealed the Cubs fate in a 6-1 defeat.

Plante-Crough and McConnell starred with four-point performances each, while Aleman and Cooper Hilworth were the only Cubs to register points in the loss.

Medicine Hat starter Brett Vanderveer was handed his fifth loss of the season between the pipes, giving up six goals on 44 shots against.

Now holding a record of 1-4-1 on the season, the Cubs remain in sixth place in the HJHL Southern Division with three points and five consecutive losses.

The Cubs will look to repeat history on Sunday at the Kinplex, as they face the Ponoka Stampeders for the second time this year after earning a 5-1 win over Ponoka in their season opener on September 22.

Opening faceoff between the Cubs and Stampeders is set for 2:15 pm on Sunday.