Last night's fundraiser for the Cochrane Generals not only raised some bucks, but it was an opportunity for families and fans to rally behind the team with playoffs on the horizon and another important home game tonight.

The Venue Bar and Grill was packed for the high-spirited event, Feb. 2, that allowed Gens supporters to mingle while bidding on silent auction items and open their wallets to secure services from players in a live auction. Team captain Austin Keller was in the zone as he auctioned off the players, who in turn will provide up to three hours of service for the successful bidder. One of Calgary's top bar bands, Curious George, performed.

The silent auction featured over $7,000 in merchandise. There was also a meal and door prizes.

Knute Loe Named 2nd Star of Month

Gens goalie Knute Loe was named second star for the month of January by the HJHL.Rookie goal Knute Loe continues to turn heads in the Heritage Junior Hockey League (HJHL) since returning to Cochrane to join the Gens. Yesterday, the HJHL named Loe second star of the month for his solid play in January.

Loe, 17, finished the month of January with a perfect 5-0-0 record in five starts and led all goaltenders with a 1.20 goals-against average, .960 save-percentage and two shutouts during that span. That includes a 23-save shutout on Jan. 6 and a 29-save shutout on Jan. 26.

Loe is currently sitting with a 7-1-0 record, is first among all HJHL goalies (with at least eight appearances) in save-percentage (.924) and second in goals-against average (2.31).

Wong Has Impressive Debut with Oilers

Colton Wong has made his first appearance with the Okotoks Oilers and it didn't take him long to make an impression after being signed as an affiliate, two weeks ago.

The Gens' Colton Wong scored a goal in his first game for the Okotoks Oilers. He was picked up by the AJHL team as an affiliate about two weeks ago.

In his first Alberta Junior Hockey League game on the road game against the Canmore Eagles, Jan. 23, he scored midway through the third period. He also picked up a pair of penalties. The Oilers went on to double the Eagles, 8-4.

Wong's younger brother Austin is in his last season with the Oilers before departing to play for Harvard Crimson but wasn't dressed for the game. He was busy helping Team West win the CJHL President's Cup in a prospects game in Mississauga, ON. the same night. Austin scored two goals for Team West in the 5-2 victory.

Fellow Cochranite Kyle Gordon, however, was in the Oilers lineup. Nineteen-year-old Gordon is an alternate captain for the team and had an assist on the night, point number 50 on the season.

The Oilers lead the AJHL and have opened up a nine-point lead on the south division's Brooks Bandits. The Oilers are enjoying a 12-game winning streak heading into tonight's matchup against the Sherwood Park Crusaders.

Gens at Home Tonight

The Gens are at home tonight against the High River Flyers in their first of a two-game home stand.

The Gens continue to strive to win out the regular season to keep their first-place hopes alive but they're getting no favours from the Okotoks Bisons or Coaldale Copperheads.

Last night the Bisons downed the Flyers, 4-2, to put the High River team out of contention for first and set them on course for a fourth-place finish in the south division. The Gens will be looking with interest at the final score in the Okotoks-Coaldale matchup tonight that will help them gain ground on one of those teams.

The puck drops tonight at Totem One at 7:30 p.m. Sunday's home game against the Medicine Hat Cubs starts at 5:30 p.m.