With the end of the year in sight, the Cannex Cochrane Generals are out in force as they look at their last few months on the ice and what they are looking to improve on in the coming year.

Currently, the Cochrane Generals are currently fourth in the divisional standings with 25 points. In total, the Gens have secured 12 wins, seven losses, and one overtime loss.

Last weekend, the Generals squared off against the Coaldale Copperheads and secured a 4-3 win on Nov. 29. On Nov. 30, a 4-4 tie against the Medicine Hat Cubs eventually brought the Generals to a 5-4 shootout victory.

Head coach Derek Bell said that although their roster is younger, the team remains extremely competitive.

“The guys are showing up every night to play hard, wanting to create that Cochrane identity of the hardest working team in the league in practices and during their games,” Bell said. “With a couple games in hand on some of the teams, we can jump up in the standings.

“The south division is extremely competitive, and we’re right in the mix, which is why I’m super proud of all the boys,” he added.

Overall, Bell felt the boys remain committed to putting in the work that will help bring them to the top.

“Everybody is coming with their work boots on every practice, every game, and working as hard as they possibly can,” Bell said.

In terms of improvements for the coming year, Bell said the team needs to focus on winning more special teams battles on the ice.

“Maybe you got to pump it in a couple more power plays goals and keeping some penalty kill goals out of the net as well,” he said. “And I’d love to see that statistic to change a little bit, and that just comes from getting to know each other from practice and all that good stuff.”

He adds that this in turn will lead to an improved score sheet.

“As a younger group, learning the league and goaltender tendencies on other teams means those goals will start to go into the net,” he said. “Those balance we try to create will start to go our way.”

With a young roster of players, although there are some standout names with the Generals, he said their true strength lies with their efforts as a team.

“I just find that to me, that we can have more of a team effort, I think we’re going to be stronger that way than we ever will as an individual or pair,” Bell stated.

Bell said that the Generals are always putting on their best performances on the ice, adding that support from the fans helps bring their game to another level.

“I would absolutely love to see more fans in the arena,” said Bell. “It means a lot to the boys, myself, and the team when you step on the ice and you can hear the crowd roar when we’re at home. It’s super comfortable, and it’s such a nice feeling when you’ve got the hometown behind you.

"So, we would like to continue to keep packing the arena, and continue as a coach and as a team to put the best product on the ice for them to watch.”

With the year coming to a close, Bell looks forward to another year of Gens hockey.

“We’re very proud Cochrane Generals, and as coaching staff, I look forward to the next couple of weeks before Christmas,” he said. “Then we’ll have a little bit of a break, and we’ll get back at it again.”

The High River Flyers will be hosting the Cannex Cochrane Generals on Dec. 7 at 8:15 p.m. On Dec. 8, the Generals will be facing off against the current division leaders, the Carstar Okotoks Bisons, at the SLS Centre at 8 p.m.