Birds fall again to the Generals

The Innisfail Eagles were grounded by the Bentley Generals by a score of 5-1 on Nov. 29 in their lone game of the weekend after the Birds' home game was cancelled the previous evening.

The Generals struck first with a power-play goal with the Eagles' Jason Nopper off the ice for tripping. Chad Ziegler replied for the Eagles, with Mark Bomersback and Mike Wirll assisting, to tie the game for nearly two minutes until the Generals went on to score four unanswered goals.

Penalty marred, the teams combined for 21 power-play opportunities, 11 for the Eagles and 10 for the Generals, with only one goal allowed by the Eagles during one-man advantage play.

“One of our coaches asked a responsible question to an official questioning his integrity and the official didn't like the tone so he gave us a bench penalty,” said Brian Sutter, coach of the Eagles. “It was uncanny how much the game was like the last time we played the Generals.”

The bench minor to the Eagles at 7:19 set the tone for the third period where the Generals scored three of their goals, two during a 36-second span. Two fights on-ice at 16:27 and 17:12 resulted in a fifth Bentley goal.

Outshot 47 to 29, the Eagles fall to last place in the Chinook Hockey League with a three-win and seven-loss record. Colin Dueck of the Generals and Mike Wirll of the Eagles were named game stars.

The Eagles' netminding duties were split between Steven Stanford as Collin Rundell took to the ice when the former was injured, while Dustin Butler played the full frame for the Generals.

“I can't wait to play the Generals next week,” said Sutter. “It's going to be a different game.”

The game against the Fort Saskatchewan Chiefs, originally scheduled to be played on Nov. 28 at the Innisfail Arena was cancelled due to inclement weather.

“No date has been announced for the rescheduled game,” said Danny Daines, a club executive.

For more information on the Innisfail Eagles go to www.innisfaileagles.com.