In the game of hockey, speed is king.

 And speed is certainly one thing Generals forward Dylan Nowakowski has in his repertoire.

 By the time you turn to catch him, the puck is already in the back of the net.

 Nowakowski is coming off a year of professional hockey in the ECHL, and after missing 2 games to start the year, has poured in 8 goals and 7 assists in just 10 games.

Including scoring 4 goals last night, on way to a 9-1 rout of the Innisfail Eagles.

 He credits his speed for those 15 points, a skill he's shaped over his career.

 "College is more run and gun. Pro is more structured. So I had to slow my game down a little bit (in pro) because I'm a bit of a loose cannon out there sometimes."

 Number 42 for the blue and gold says his year in Cincinnati with the Buffalo Sabres affiliated team has been similar to the Allan Cup Hockey West league he finds himself in now.

 "A lot of guys here have played that level or higher, so I think it's the same skill level, but we're a little slower because we don't have as many practices and getting a little older. But everyone's brains are still here. We're still smart hockey players."

 He's also finding it easy to build chemistry with his teammates.

 "You become really close with the guys because you're driving up together with some of them from Calgary, and you're in the car together for about 3 hours. So new friendships are great."

 The Generals next action is Saturday night at 8 at the Gary Moe Auto Group Sportsplex.

Don't forget to bring a donation for the Lacombe Food bank and you'll be entered into a door prize for free tickets, and some Gens merchandise.