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Eagles get off on the right foot

The Innisfail Eagles headed to Didsbury on Saturday for an exhibition game against the Kainai Chiefs of the Ranchland Hockey League.

The Innisfail Eagles headed to Didsbury on Saturday for an exhibition game against the Kainai Chiefs of the Ranchland Hockey League. The game was played in support of Didsbury Minor Hockey in recognition of the numerous players that have and are playing for the Eagles.

The Eagles came out of the gate looking a little shaky as this was their first time playing as a team in a full on game situation. Coach Ryan Dodd quickly got the boys settled down and playing to their potential. With twelve vets on the bench it made it much easier Coach Dodd to get the team into a rhythm.

Scoring was light in the first half of the first period. Jeff Clazie got the Eagles on the board at 16:45 with help from line mate Ryan Kallis. With the Eagles killing a penalty late in the period Ryan Kallis set up rookie Andrew Walker for the Eagles second goal of the game with 38 seconds remaining. The old saying of never quit till the buzzer came into play for Ryan Kallis as he netted the Eagles third of the game with less than one second remaining with an assist going to Sean Neumier. The Chiefs were unable to solve goaltender Evan Miller as he stopped all eight shots the Chiefs threw at him.

The Eagles dominated even more in the second. Miller played half the period maintaining his shut out before giving newcomer Mike Houden a chance to strut his skills. The Eagles scored three more unanswered goals in the second frame before allowing a late period power play goal. Scoring for Innisfail was, Walker, Dion Snook and Scott Kallis. Assists went to Ryan Kallis (2), Ian Brander and Nowal Pierson. Miller stopped all 6 shots faced. Houden allowed 1 goal on 8 shots.

The third period was a runaway train for the Eagles. They absolutely peppered the Chiefs tender with shots. The Eagles took a commanding 10 – 1 lead before allowing the Chiefs to score their second and final goal of the game. Scoring for Innisfail in the third was Neumier, Tyler Doherty, Drew Coles and Pierson. Assists for the period were handed out to Clazie, Ryan Kallis, Daryl Blais (2), Joel Everitt, Doherty, Brander and Snook. Houden stopped 7 of 8 shots.

The Eagles played well in their first game together as a team. The team has got themselves off to a good start with this first win of the season.

Their first real test will be this upcoming weekend as the team will face the Sylvan Lake Admirals in their Home Opener on Friday. On Saturday the Eagles will play their second home game of the weekend, this time against the Fort Saskatchewan Chiefs. Both games will have an 830 pm game time with beer gardens opening at 8pm.

Come out and watch some high quality senior hockey this weekend and check out the 64th version of your Innisfail Eagles.

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