The Innisfail Eagles had a home-and-home weekend against the Stony Plain Eagles. Friday night the Eagles played at home and then ventured up the good old Highway 2 on Saturday. For the new recruits of the Eagles, this was their first look at this town’s beautiful community bus.
The Eagles had been run through a rigorous practice on Wednesday in preparation for this weekend. The team is really starting to gel and figure out their linemates. The wealth of knowledge coming from the coaching staff is really starting to pay off and is showing on the ice.
Stony strolled into town Friday looking for a cakewalk that was not to be had. The younger Innisfail Eagles were ready for a tough fight this weekend. Both teams came charging out of the gate with a good end-to-end hockey game. The Eagles held their ground in the first period. They were playing well and kept mistakes to a bare minimum. With one minute 47 seconds remaining in the first frame, Stony was able to sneak the puck past Evan Miller to take a 1 -0 lead. Miller was excellent in the first, stopping 11 of 12 shots.
The Eagles got into some penalty trouble at the start of the second period. Stony was able to capitalize on this that gave them a two-goal lead. Stony was able to go up 3-0 before the Eagles found their composure again and got on the scoreboard themselves. Tyler Doherty scored the Eagles’ first goal from Ryan Kallis and Justin Klassen at 9:38. At 8:15 Ian Brander brought the team within one, with helpers going to Joel Everitt and Daryl Blais. After one bad penalty taken by a teammate the Eagles lost composure and started playing as individuals again. This lack of teamwork allowed for Stony to score two more to finish the period with a 5 -2 lead. Miller was credited with making 18 saves in the period.
After a regrouping session in the dressing room the team that was in the first period seemed to come back out to the ice. The Eagles regained some momentum and were able to hold Stony at five goals. On a long shift Stony was able to sneak an attacker in the back door and got his stick on a loose puck and found the twine with it. The Eagles regrouped once again and went back on full attack. The Stony goaltender was able to make save after save to keep the Eagles at two until a rushing Eagle defender was able to rifle a powerful shot top cheese. Kelly Rogers netted the Eagles’ third of the game with helpers going to Ian Brander and Josh McIlravey. Miller made another 17 saves in the third period to help keep the game close.
Friday night did not end as the boys had hoped and prayed for, which made them even more determined for a win in Stony on Saturday. The dressing room atmosphere was different on Saturday. The bus ride must have done some good for the boys.
Stony had a few more of their veteran players in the lineup for their home game. This added a new challenge for the Eagles. Stony jumped on us hoping to defeat us even worse on Saturday. They netted a mid period power-play goal off a missed assignment by an Eagle defender. At 6:22 Stony went up 2-0. JR Dafoe was able to net his first of the season for the Eagles with apples going to Kelly Rogers and Nowal Pierson. Seconds later Stony charged back into the zone and went up 3-1. Wade Waters stood tall for the birds making 20 stops in the period.
The second period had even more end-to-end action with goaltenders at both ends making spectacular saves. The Eagles would be the only team to net anything in the second. Kelly Rogers found the twine on the power play through a maze of players in front of the net. McIlravey was credited with an assist on Rogers’ goal. Waters made another 14 saves in the second.
The third period was the most thrilling period of hockey I have watched this season. The goaltending at both ends was absolutely awesome. Both teams had their chances but the defence and goaltenders kept shutting the door. Finally with 32 seconds remaining in the game, Jeff Clazie shovelled a loose puck into the Stony net. Assists were given to Sean Neumeier and McIlravey. Waters made nine saves for the Eagles to get the tie.
The four-on-four overtime period did not last long. Fifty-six seconds into the period Stony was able to squeak one past Waters for the OT win. The OT goal was just a bad bounce in front of the net that found the wrong stick.
With the Eagles finally starting to gel I feel that there will be a lot more of this type of high-end hockey coming back to Innisfail. This team we have built now has the depth and experience to become true opponents for the rest of the teams in the Chinook Hockey League.
This weekend the boys will be heading out early Saturday morning for a pair of games in Lloydminister. The Eagles will not be at home again until Nov. 18 when they will once again meet the Generals from Bentley. This night the CHL Board of Directors will be making a special presentation to a longtime volunteer of Senior Hockey in Alberta.
Till next week
