A 5-2 win by the Coaldale Copperheads over the Okotoks Bisons combined with two more wins by the Gens this weekend to place Cochrane just one point out of second in the south division of the Heritage Junior Hockey League (HJHL).

On the road, the Gens were leading 3-0 going into the third, with two scored on the powerplay, and tallied three more to beat the Wranglers, 6-2.

Sunday marked the ninth straight wins for the Gens and makes them the hottest team in the south division that includes wins over both the Copperheads and Bisons.

Captain Brandon Aab sniped two goals and added an assist while the team's leading scorer Braden Bain had a three-point night with a goal and two assists. Scott Shugg scored a pair and Takuro Okada had a two-point night with a goal and assist. Also earning helpers were Zach Cugnet, Jordan Marks, Caden Chudleigh, Keenan Elroy

Goal Robert Michetti turned away 31 or 33 shots.

The Gens have a game in hand against the Bisons and have won the regular season matchup. Both of these factors could be figurative in the Gens aspirations to finish ahead of the Bisons and secure a bye from the first round of playoffs.

There's a growing gap between third and fourth in the HJHL standings in the south. The Gens have a 13-point lead over the fourth place and much improved Medicine Hat Cubs. A battle rages for fourth between the Cubs and Strathmore Wheatland Kings, who are just one point behind.

Although the Gens have beat the Copperheads in their two meetings so far this season, the Coaldale crew have all but secured first place in the south. Cochrane fans haven't seen the Copperheads at home this season but they'll soon get their chance. The Gens have two games left against Coaldale and host the first on Jan. 27 and five days later on Feb. 1.

The Gens are on the road this weekend for one game against the Ponoka Stampeders. They return home Jan. 25 to take on the Strathmore before a pair against the Copperheads.