INNISFAIL – The Innisfail Eagles continue to dominate at home.
While the Birds have struggled on the road this season, they went into Christmas break with three consecutive home wins against each team in the Allan Cup Hockey West (ACHW) league.
Friday’s (Dec. 21) 5-0 victory over the Stony Plain Eagles was their second consecutive shutout at home. The first, also a 5-0 win, came over the Lacombe Generals on Dec. 1. At the Christmas break the Eagles still sit in fourth and last place with nine points, one back of Stony Plain and six behind league-leading Lacombe.
“We played well,” said head coach Brian Sutter of the Dec. 21 game. “(Our goalie) York has been amazing. He’s been here for four games and he’s had two shutouts.”
Despite a long Christmas break, Sutter said his team will continue its strong effort in 2019.
“We’re just starting. We’re just getting it rolling,” said Sutter. “The snowball is going. Everyone wants to be behind it.
"Every game is important and every game is close,” he added. “We know where we are (in standings) and we’re going to be in the top two when it’s all said and done.”
Innisfail opened the scoring late in the first period with a power-play goal from Shawn Bates. He netted his second power-play marker early in the second frame and his third goal for a hat trick, late in the final frame.
“We were short-handed a lot to start the year but now everyone is coming together and you’re starting to see what our team can do,” said Bates. “We’re starting to gel and it showed tonight.
“It was a very big win," he added.
Defenceman Mackenze Stewart has made his presence known in his first few games with his strong, physical play.
“I keep it simple. I just try to separate guys from the puck and just play hard,” said Stewart, a former pro-hockey player and WHL player.
Dallas Desjarlais and Pete Vandermeer also scored for Innisfail in the win.
Eagles president Brian Spiller is pleased with what he sees so far this season.
“We’ve got quite a team and we’re playing very well,” said Spiller. “We have to continue that on the road but nonetheless, we’re going in the right direction.”
The Eagles will return to league action when they welcome the Rosetown Red Wings on Jan. 13. Puck drop is 5 p.m.
