Preseason games are just a walkthrough, a chance to streamline the roster, right? Think again.

When the Cochrane Generals and Airdrie Techmation Thunder squared off last night, Sept. 15, at the Cochrane Arena it was an 11 on the intensity scale.

Tied 3-3 after one, a wild second period saw tension between the two teams boil over into two fight-fests that saw three Generals get the hook for the night. A tamer third saw the Gens score a burst of three unanswered goals to win the match 6-3. They lost the night previous in Airdrie, 4-2.

Brandon Aab beats the Thunder defense to get the shot off.Saturday’s lineup was a little closer to the team’s final roster with only one of the players in the lineup not returning. Head Coach Travis McMillan says he simply let them play and didn’t coach too heavily in the final preseason game.

“I expected the guys to play well and know the systems and understand how to play with one and another and have a little more chemistry than we had on Friday night, so that worked out well for us.”

Knute Loe was in nets for the Gens and turned away 41 shots from Airdrie, who clearly outshot the Gens, 44-26. Tightening the defense will be one of the focal points in preparation for the regular season.

“We have some tweaks to make and need to clean up around the edges a little bit. All-in-all, it will come together in the coming weeks.”

Following Saturday's game, McMillan had to break the news to those not making the roster. It has been trimmed to 27 players for now.

“It’s an unfortunate part of the job, but when it comes down to it at the end of the day you have to make sure your organization is stocked with good players, especially in the locker room and on the ice. It’s part of the job, but as soon as the season kicks off on the 29th we’ll be ready to roll and get right into it.”

Further cuts are required by December.

“It’s going to get down to the wire here come December when we have to cut down to 25, but I’ll be carrying 27 for now, so we have a lot of variety.”

The goalie tandem of Knute Loe and Erik Garber are returning after junior ‘A’ tryouts in Ontario earlier this month.

“I was anticipating one or two would stick but that, unfortunately, was not the case, which is too bad because they're both good kids and good hockey players.”

“Still, the boys are happy to be back and the team is happy to have them back too because they had such a positive impact on the team last season.”

They will be also keeping goalie Robert Michetti, a Drumheller Dragons affiliate who attended the International Hockey Academy in Calgary, after his strong performance in the opening preseason games.

With Colton Wong pursuing a firefighting career elsewhere a new captain will need to be selected. McMillan says the team leadership will be announced shortly.

With two weeks until the Sept. 29 season opener at home. The team will be fine-tuning their play.

“Work, work, work, work, work—that’s all it’s going to be.”