The High River Flyers open the Heritage Junior "B" Hockey League season Friday on the road as they head to Medicine Hat to take on the Cubs.

Coach Bruce Cowie says despite a winless pre-season there's reason for optimism for the Flyers.

"We're feeling pretty positive right now, the kids are starting to buy into defensive zone coverage, which is what we're lacking right now. We saw a little bit an improvement on Sunday night down in Okotoks. It's coming along."

Cowie says both he and the players are having fun, which is the big thing and he's quite sure the Flyers will work out their issues as they continue to add players and smooth out the rough edges.

The Flyers wrap up the weekend Saturday in Coaldale against the Copperheads.

The Okotoks Bisons face off against the Red Deer Vipers Friday in their lone match-up of the weekend, while the Strathmore Wheatland Kings are in Cochrane Saturday to take on the Generals and the return home to Host Coaldale on Sunday.