The Cochrane Generals head back to Red Deer on Tuesday night with a 2-1 lead in the HJHL north division championship series.

The Gens bounced back from a Saturday night loss with a 5-0 win over the Vipers on Sunday in front of a packed house at the Cochrane Arena.

Connor Stephenson lead the Gens with a hattrick, two of them powerplay goals. Tristan Ripplinger notched one, also on a powerplay, and Evan Black scored a short-handed goal late in the third.

The Gens penalty kill was perfect on 34 minutes in penalties, nearly three times the 12 minutes in the sin box by the Vipers.

Gens goalie Davyn LaRocke notched his first shut out of the playoffs by turning away 28 shots.

Gens head coach Kurtis Jones says he does get concerned every time a Gen hits the penalty box because of the Vipers strong powerplay.

"It worries me every time, and I've been harping on that, and harping on that, and then we just keep doing it. Sometimes we get a little bit too frustrated and a little bit too gung-ho, and we take penalties that are unnecessary, so we've got to be better there, for sure."

Despite that, he says if the Gens play like they did Sunday, he's confident they can win the series.

"We responded from an average game that we had Game Two to that. If our guys keep doing that consistently, we'll be in the win column."

 He was impressed with how LaRocke bounced back from Game Two.

"He didn't have his best game in Game Two but I don't think the team played well in front of him, either. When we allowed him to come back in, he stood on his head, so good on him to stay focused and not let the little things bother him."

Saturday, the Gens came out flat on the road, losing 5-3. The game was tied at one after the first period before the Vipers opened up a 4-2 lead in the second on the strength of powerplay goals. The two exchanged goals in the third, with Gen Patrick Forde scoring on a powerplay with one second left on the clock.

The Gens opened their Sunday game with the Ukraine national anthem to show support for the country's struggle against Russia.

Jones says the club appreciates the support they are receiving from the community in their aspirations to win the HJHL title.

"We had 30 kids standing there after the game, and they all want to see the boys. It's nice. We really appreciate the support and hope it keeps coming."

League-wide, Patrick Forde is the top scorer in the playoffs with 20 points, and linemate Tristan Ripplinger is right behind him. LaRocke is number two in goaltending with a 2.2 GAA.

The Okotoks Bisons are leading the south division championship series against the Medicine Hat Cubs, 3-0, and could wrap it up Tuesday night.