INNISFAIL – Innisfail Eagles coach Ryan Dodd knew the Devon Barons were a good hockey team before the start of Innisfail’s very first playoff series in the North Central Hockey League.
And the Barons proved that Friday night at home when the two senior men’s teams played the opening game of the best-of-five quarter-final series.
Devon opened up the series with a barn-burning come from behind double overtime 5 – 4 win Feb. 7; a game that saw Innisfail firing a total of 65 shots on Barons’ goalie Jordon Cooke and Birds’ netminder Chance Griffith facing 54.
Following a scoreless first period, Devon opened up the game with a goal by Jacob Franczak at 10:30 of the second period.
Innisfail replied a minute later on a goal by Payton Wright, and that was quickly followed by another from Mike Marianchuk at 8:10.
It was then 2-1 for Innisfail and it stayed that way for the rest of the second period.
The Birds outshot the Barons 23 to 10 in the second.
But the play in the third period was closer, even with Innisfail pulling ahead further with just under four minutes left in the game.
The Birds made it 3-1 at 3:48 on a goal from Jacob Wozney.
But then the Barons stormed back with three answered goals in just over two minutes and they were suddenly ahead 4-3.
However, with time ticking down the Birds were not done yet.
With just 25 seconds left Captain Joe Vandermeer scored to tie the game.
It was then 4 – 4 after regulation.
A combined 37 shots were additionally fired at both goalies until the Barons’ Riley Zaft scored at 18:15 of the second overtime.
Devon takes game one by a final score of 5 – 4.
Zaft was named the game’s first star, while Wozney, who had a three-point night, was the second star.
The series’ second game is Sunday, Feb. 9 in Innisfail at the Twin Arena.
Puck drop is 5 p.m.
