The Coaldale Copperheads may be first in the south division but have good reason to display a nervous twitch when they see the Cochrane Generals on their schedule.

The Gens played their best game of the season so far in a 5-4 win over the Copperheads last night at the Cochrane Arena. They've now extended their winning streak to an even dozen and continue to be the hottest team in the Heritage Junior Hockey League (HJHL)

"The Snake Charmers" have now tamed the Coaldale Copperheads in all three meetings this season, two of them on the road, and are going for a perfect 4-0 this Friday night at home. 

It was a close game and wasn't until the eight-minute mark of the third that the Gens opened up a 5-2 lead on two quick goals. The Copperheads fought back with two of their own, the second on a powerplay, and pressed the Gens late in the game. An inopportune penalty by the Copperheads and solid defensive play by Gens snuffed their comeback in the dying minutes.

Head coach Travis McMillan isn't at all cocky when he talks about their success against the snakes, nor does he underestimated the talented squad.

"If anybody's giving us a run for our money in the south division other than Okotoks, it's going to be Coaldale," says McMillan.

"When it comes to Coaldale, their guys know they are top dog but we have every right to be there just as much as they do so our guys have in their heads that we need to be up for these games all the time and it just so happens that this season we have their number."

Erik Garber gave a little jump and kick when the buzzer sounded. He stopped 36 of 40 shots on the night.McMillan doesn't dwell on the past wins, doesn't do much more than acknowledge winning streaks. What he continues to stress is ways to continue to improve the team to prepare for the ultimate season test--the HJHL playoffs.  

"We got the win, we still have the streak but there's always more things we need to look at to make sure we're more prepared for next game."

"We need to push the pace and set the tone every shift that we can and going into playoffs that's very important. When it comes down to it, These games can tell you a heck of a lot about what to expect in the next month."

He doesn't like it when the team gets too comfortable with a lead because momentum shifts can come quickly, especially against the league's top teams. 

"We can't take the foot off the gas and we need to be mentally sharp the whole time even if we get up two or three goals because teams like this are going to find a way to put one in the back of the net. So we need to make sure it doesn't happen again for the rest of the season."

After the game, there's a vibe in the dressing room that pushes beyond its walls and into the hallway. It's been growing all season. John Denver's "Country Roads" that could commonly be heard after wins earlier in the season has been replaced with something that throbs louder and prouder.

Gens co-captain Brendon Aab believes this win was the team's best performance of the season so far.

"As soon as the New Year started we all kind of clicked, it all came together. We went eight and 0 in January and that proves something. We came into the New Year hoping to win and we did win. We are the team to beat now."

Aab believes their success comes down to an unswerving commitment from the entire team.

"We're all in it. We all have something to prove and give. We're a team and we have to build together and play as one. The chemistry just brings us together. We're all closer than last year, it's just a totally different year."

Taylor Girard opened the scoring for the Gens and notched two in weekend play.

Now on a two-game scoring streak, Taylor Girard put the Gens on the scoreboard from Vance Wesley and River Ross. River Ross scored an unassisted goal and Braden Bain combined with Carter Cugnet and Scott Shugg to give the Gens a 3-2 lead going into the third. Bain scored his second of the night from Caden Chudleigh and it was Scott Norris who scored the eventual winner from Jaeden Dowling.

Shots were evenly matched until Coaldale' push late in the game. Erik Garber, who gave a little jump, kick and yelp when the buzzer went, turned away 36 shots.

First place isn't out of reach for Gens

The Cooperheads lead in the south continues to evaporate, courtesy of a pair of losses this weekend to the Okotoks Bisons and Gens. They're on a three-game losing streak that leaves them looking over their shoulder.

The Okotoks Bisons are now just one point behind the Snakes but with two games in hand on both teams and coming down the stretch smoking hot, a first-place finish isn't out of reach for the Gens.