INNISFAIL - The Innisfail Eagles came out on the losing end of a tough 5-1 battle against the visiting Lacombe Generals Friday night, Dec. 2 at the Innisfail Twin Arena.
The Birds currently sit in third place with 10 points in 10 games in the Chinook Hockey League. With two road games left before Christmas break, they hold a record of three wins, three losses and four overtime losses.
Newcomer Breton Lindoff made his debut in net Friday night, but was replaced with Mike Muir in the first period.
“I think we got off to a good start. We played really well for the first few shifts and were doing the things we talked about to get the game rolling,” said Dan Nicholls, Eagles forward. “I think we had a couple of tough breakdowns that were a dagger for us in the first period, to go down 3-0 when we were up 10 shots to one to start the game.”
Despite going to the net and having several opportunities, the Birds found themselves down 3-0 after 20 minutes. The second frame saw some hope as Nicholls notched a goal for the Eagles early on, but before the period was over, the Eagles were on the losing side of a 4-1 tally.
From the start of the game, the long-standing rivalry between the two teams was evident, but the third period saw the tension take centre stage with plenty of hits, fights and penalties to both teams.
Although the game was the Birds' third consecutive loss in recent weeks, morale amongst team members remains high, noted Nicholls, adding his team is ready to work hard to rebound on the road.
“The morale in the dressing room is actually pretty good. We've been doing a lot of good things and we need to just seal up some loose ends to start putting together 60 minutes,” he added, noting coach Sutter's positive comments. “Sutter said it best when he said you got to look around the room. There's no sense sitting around feeling sorry for yourself. You just got to hold yourself accountable, start putting those pucks in the net and bear down on your chances.
“I think we'll be good going into the new year if we can tidy things up by Christmas,” said Nicholls.
The Eagles are on the road for their next two games, prior to Christmas break. They visit Lacombe on Dec. 14 and Fort Saskatchewan on Dec. 18.
They are at home in the new year for their first game against the Rosetown Red Wings on Jan. 8 at the Innisfail Arena. Puck drop is 2:45 p.m.
Dan Nicholls, Eagles forward
"The morale in the dressing room is actually pretty good. We've been doing a lot of good things and we need to just seal up some loose ends to start putting together 60 minutes."
