Last night, the Cochrane Generals scored two unanswered goals in the third to beat the Medicine Hat Cubs, 6-5, in the opening game of their HJHL south division semifinal series.

Down 5-4 after two, rookie Logan Paquette scored from Brendon Thubron to tie the game before Diago Coelho connected with his second goal and third point of the night for the win.

Unlike the first two games, goals came from five different snipers in the important road win. Patrick Forde, Tristan Ripplinger, and Andrew Guss were the other scorers.

Back on the ice after serving a suspension, Caden Stephenson had a pair of assists and Joel Klassen, Zac Fulton, Jordan Butz, Connor Stephenson, and Patrick Forde earned the other helpers.

Cubs sniper Cooper Hillworth, the league's top scorer, had two goals and four points on the night. Connor Miller, Kyle Woolridge, and Colby Friedrich scored the others.

Kashton Payne got the start between the pipes, facing 18 shots, but was replaced by Jordan McGinnis in the third and only had to turn away five shots.

Game two of the best of seven goes Friday night in Medicine Hat before returning to Cochrane for Game three on Saturday.

Jamal Kalaf returns to the lineup for Friday's game after serving a two-game suspension from the Gens opening playoff game against High River.

Elsewhere in the HJHL, the Mountainview Colts beat the Airdrie Techmation, 3-2 in overtime in the opening game of their north division semifinal series. Game Two goes tonight at Airdrie's Ron Ebbesen Arena.

Two other semifinals open tonight. The Okotoks Bisons are at home against the Strathmore Wheatland Kings and the Sylvan Lake Wrangers host the Rocky Rams.