Head coach Derek Donald described last weekend's play by the Cochrane Generals as hot and cold as the team continues to struggle to find consistency.

On the road against the lower ranked Stettler Lightning they were walloped 7-2, Nov. 17. The next day at home against the AirdrieTechmation Thunder, who are at the top of the north division, the Gens were dominant in a 5-2 victory.

"I don't know if you can have more polar opposites in two games," says Donald.

"As a coach, what you're always looking for is finding that high level of intensity and consistency and play that way every game. I think it's just the way it works sometimes. You play the top teams and you play out of your head incredibly well and then sometimes you take a night off and you aren't prepared."

The Gens only lagged behind the Lightning, 3-2, after one period of play, thanks to goals by Jordan Fisher, from Carter Cugnet, and Scott Shugg, from Chris Sambrook and Walid Hassin. But their scoring power went mute in the next two periods and the Lightning lit it up twice in both periods.

The Gens outshot the Lightning by a slim 49-47 margin and leading scorer Slater Ransom was out of the of the lineup. 

Saturday night's match against the Thunder saw the Gens return to form, grabbing a 4-2 lead after one and scoring one in the second, followed by a scoreless third period.

"Saturday night we did everything we needed to do," says Donald. "We scored goals when we needed to, we were smart in our own end, we got up on them and kept our foot on the gas pedal and didn't slow down. The guys responded well and we played the full 60 minutes."

"When we're fired up and playing like we should that's the result we get. It's something we always talk about. If we stay at that level and consistency and that tempo we'll be just fine.

Both Ransom and River Ross had three-point nights with two goals and an assist each. Taylor Girard scored the fifth goal and added an assist. Ransom linemate Talus Hume also registered three assists and Harry Osler had one.

The Gens currently remain second last in the south division standings but it's a tight race and only seven points separate first from fifth and a winning streak could catapult any team to the top. It's a much different picture than last year when there were clear leaders in the division.

"No one's really running away with it and I think there's some pretty good parity in the league right now, especially in the south division," says Donald. "I don't think there's much of a gap skill wise between first and last place in the south division."

The Gens have a chance to avenge their loss to the Lightning on home ice at Totem One this Friday. Game time is 7:30 p.m.

The next day they hit the road to face the Medicine Hat Cubs for the first time this season. The Cubs are in the basement in the south with a 6-9 record.