An ice failure at the Servus Arena in Red Deer lead to the postponement of the Cochrane Generals game against the Red Deep Vipers, Oct. 23.

Now the team is left waiting for a decision by Heritage Junior Hockey League (HJHL) officials on what will happen with the game.

Attempts to fix a big hole in the ice were unsuccessful, and the game was postponed after one period of play.

"They tried to fix it, and I give the rink staff a lot of credit, but we were waiting in the dressing room for over an hour. I came out and told them we can't keep sitting here waiting. The guys' muscles are tightening up and their brains aren't into hockey anymore."

It's officially listed as postponed, but Jones says it will be challenging to fit a makeup game into their tight schedule.

He says a similar situation occurred two years ago in Ponoka when the ice failed and the game was cancelled. Ponoka was winning the game against the Gens at the time and was awarded the win.

Saturday, the Gens were leading 1-0 when the rug was pulled.

The night previous, the Gens exacted some revenge against the Airdrie Techmation Thunder with a 5-1 road win. They held a 3-1 lead after two, then scored two powerplay goals in the third.

Tristan Ripplinger scored two goals. Singles went to Michael Bouffard, Connor Stephenson, and Zach Stewart.

The Gens lost their first game against Airdrie in a 4-3 shoot-out.

Jones says scoring first makes a big difference for the club.

"If we get it, we have more confidence as a group. I think that's what happened on Friday night."

He believes the team realizes they have to come out hard every game to be successful. On Oct. 15, the Gens lost a home game to the Mountainview Colts, 4-1. That didn't sit well with the players, and they beat the Vipers the next day, 7-2.

"I think it just started from there. Our guys realized they had to show up every night. After that Red Deer win, they just seem to be getting better and better."

The Gens are on top of the HJHL north division, while the Okotoks Bisons have matched them point-for-point in the south. The Bisons' only regulation loss came at the hands of the Gens early in the season.

Jones wants to see his club finish the month on a four-point high this weekend.

The Three Hill Thrashers are here Friday night before the Gens hit the road to play on the big ice of the Strathmore Wheatland Kings on Sunday.

He doesn't take either team lightly and says the Gens will have to continue its apply its work ethic to earn the points.

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