Two different styles of hockey, two similar outcomes. It just didn't matter what their opponents threw at them last weekend, the Gens could handle it.

The Generals are back and driving it home against their nemesis in the south division of the Heritage Junior Hockey League. What started on the road the week previous in Coaldale continued with two crucial wins at home to get out of the basement and start climbing up the standings.

On Nov. 4, the Gens downed the south leading and long-time rivals the Okotoks Bisons, 5-2, in a tight-checking game. Sunday the Gens scaled the Copperheads, 5-0, earning goalie Erik Garber his third shut out in just nine appearances.

The demeanor of the Gens has changed much since they hit the skids with four game losing streak, the likes of which we haven't seen in years. The symptom? Pushing a bit too hard. The antidote? Tone it down a touch, prevent the odd-man rushes and remember to have fun.

With five minutes left in the third on Sunday they were definitely in fun mode. A white flag appeared to be waving at the Copperheads bench while a few metres down the way you could hear the jovial buzz of the Gens.

Much has changed since the Gens beat the Copperheads, 9-3,  Oct. 28. They are now performing more like the team they knew they could be.

Three of the Gens five goals came on powerplays in Saturday's close-checking match against the Bisons. Shots were even in the first period when the Gens took a 1-0 lead on a powerplay goal by Brandon Aab at the 17 minute mark.

The Bisons came out determined in the second and pressed harder but strong play in the defensive zone and some big saves by Garber kept them to just one goal. In the meantime, the Gens racked up three more to take a 4-1 lead. Austin Keller scored unassisted after unleashing another of his blistering shots. Harry Olser scored his fourth of the season from Taylor Girard and Slater Ransom combined with linemate Talus Hume and Keller for a powerplay goal.

The Bisons gave the best they had in the second and the Gens controlled the puck for most of the third and limited their opponents to just six shots. The Gens had 16 and their final goal of the game came from Brandon Aab, his second poowerplay goal of the night, from linemates Ransom and Hume. The Bison closed out the scoring with a powerplay goal of their own but it was too little, too late.

Gens 5, Copperheads 0

While the Bisons were a tight-checking team with a deeper-bench, the Copperheads gave the Gens lots of ice and pretty much control of the neutral zone,

It was Talus Hume's night and giving him ice is the last thing you should do.  He opened the scoring with 5:33 remaining in the open period, then again on a penalty shot halfway through the second. Late in the third he was left in front of the net and capitalized to secure his hattrick.

It was also a three-point night for Keller with a goal and two assists, inching the defenseman ahead as the team's scoring leaders.

Colton Wong got his third of the season in the final minute of play in the second from Scott Shugg and Jarod Domingo.  Slater Ransom and Braden Bain also had assists on the evening.

In an uncommon mid-week game, the Gens travel to Didsbury to challenge the Mountainview Colts on Nov. 8. The north division Colts beat the Gens in their first meeting of the year here at Totem One.

GENS TIDBITS

Did you know... While most of the fans stayed home, the Gens were out supporting the Calgary Stampeders last Friday night. They were keeping the lines clear during breaks in play to help keep the game moving by giving officials and players a clear line of vision. Atta go, Gens!

Did you know... The price of admission to Gens home games is a steal of a deal, and they've just made it even better.

Nine-game punch passes are available for $60, giving you a 20 per cent savings off the already reasonable adult admission fee of $8.

For youth ages 6 to 12, admission is $5 and it's free for those 5 and younger.

Punch passes are available at the gate or online here.