Cochrane Generals head coach Kurtis Jones believes a different team will be hitting the ice tonight when they host the Red Deer Vipers.

The Gens are coming off their first losing weekend against the Mountainview Colts and Sylvan Lake Wranglers.

"I know it's going to be a whole different on the ice this Friday," says Jones. "Red Deer's coming to a team that's probably pretty angry that we lost, so I think it will be a good game. They have a team that can beat us too, so we'd better be ready to play."

He says last Friday's 7-6 loss to the Colts at the Cochrane Arena doesn't do justice to the play.

"We outplayed them all night long," says Jones. "They beat us on the scoreboard, but they didn't beat us in the game. For a very arrogant, cocky team, they can hoot and holler all they want, but I know when it comes down to crunch time, we'll take it to them."

It was the second time the Colts have beaten the Gens this season, both times in Cochrane's barn. The Gens beat them in Olds.

Dean Olenyk didn't dress against the Colts, forcing a change in the Gens' top-line for Friday night. He returned on Sunday but wasn't 100 per cent, says Jones.

The Gens were down two goals in the first seven minutes of their game against the Wranglers on Nov. 28. That two-goal margin was the difference in the final score of 6-4.

"We weren't good in certain areas and they were better," says Jones. "Friday, their goaltending was better than our goaltending, and it was the same Sunday. It's kind of hard when you're down 2-0 after the first seven minutes to try to get back into the game."

Bus trouble saw the Gens arrive just 15 minutes before they had to be on the ice at the NexSource Centre.

No one likes to lose, but Jones says there are things a team can take from it.

"To be honest with you, it's good the guys are starting to see this now and not in the playoffs."

The Gens remain first in the north division of the Heritage Junior Hockey League, and the Wranglers are just two points behind with two games in hand.

Red Deer is third. They come into tonight's game after going 1-1 last weekend.

Food drive tonight

Tonight, the Gens are holding a food drive in support of the Cochrane Activettes Food Bank.

Adults bringing a nonperishable food donation will see their admission price cut to $5. For kids and seniors, it will be free.

Puck drops tonight at 7:30 p.m. in the Cochrane Arena.