INNISFAIL - The Innisfail Eagles took Game 2 of the Chinook Hockey League semifinals in a 6-5 overtime victory Sunday night (Feb. 12) at home.
The series against their namesake rivals, the Stony Plain Eagles, is now tied 1-1.
"We deserved (the win). We played well last night (Saturday) and lost," said Brian Sutter, head coach of the Innisfail Eagles. "We got goals from all four lines tonight. It's pretty special."
The Birds were looking to rebound after a gritty 6-3 defeat in Game 1 Saturday night in Stony Plain.
In Game 2, Innisfail quickly jumped out of the gate scoring the first goal just 30 seconds into the first period. Innisfail Eagles veteran Tyler Beechey got the Birds on the board early, but a tough Stony Plain team didn't sit back and tied the game at one several minutes later.
The Birds took a two-goal lead twice in Sunday's game, with a 3-1 lead after 20 minutes and a 5-3 lead after 40 minutes.
Innisfail had other goals from Ty Clay, Joe Vandermeer, Zach Franko and a power-play goal from Zane Jones.
Stony Plain closed the gap late in the second to make it 4-3 before Innisfail veteran Clay restored the Birds' two-goal lead with an even-strength marker.
Jake Mullen made his third appearance in net for the Innisfail Eagles Sunday and made 51 saves in his first victory with the Birds.
"We came out hot in the first period and then a little bit of a letdown in the second on our part. I thought we battled back in the third and in overtime. We worked hard for it," said Mullen. "I couldn't have done it without them. It was a full team effort tonight."
Stony Plain scored two goals in the third period to tie the game 5-5 and send the game into overtime.
With just 1:32 left in the extra frame, Innisfail Eagles forward Mike Winther found the back of the net, giving the Birds a thrilling 6-5 overtime victory.
"I just came off the bench and came across the ice. Desi (Simon Desbiens) made a great pass to me and I went down the wall. I took a shot and it went in," said Winther of his Game 2 winning goal.
"We never quit. We went into overtime saying we're going to win this game and we did just that."
Game three of the series is this Saturday, Feb. 18, in Stony Plan and then it's back in Innisfail on Feb. 19. Game time is 7 p.m.
Jake Mullen, goaltender
"It was a full team effort tonight."
