It wasn't pretty. In fact it was downright nasty, except for a desperate flurry at the end.
No matter. When all is said and done the Innisfail Eagles are down, still a long way from out, but they now trail the defending Allan Cup champion Bentley Generals two games to zero in the Chinook Hockey League's best of seven final series after losing 6-2 Friday night (March 14) at the Innisfail Arena before a packed house of 1,080 disappointed hometown fans.
The Eagles will be seeking redemption tonight (March 15) at the Red Deer Arena where the Generals will be the host team for the third game of the senior men's hockey championship series.
Innisfail started the game where they left off from the first game of the series when they lost 3-0 – lack of intensity. In fact, it wasn't until about eight minutes into the game did the Birds put together a sustained attack in the visitor's end of the ice. The Eagles were stymied again and again by the tight checking Generals.
Bentley played a patient game in the first frame and took the lead at 8:53 on a goal by Brett Robertson. When the first period ended the scoreboard had it 1-0 for the Generals. Bentley also outshot the Eagles 15-8.
The second period was even worse for the hometown squad. They were once again badly outshot by the visitors by a wide margin of 18-2. The Eagles also took 21 minutes in penalties, including a five-minute major by Jason Nopper for hitting to the head, as well as receiving a game misconduct. Bentley took advantage, scoring two more goals – the first by Kennan Desmet at 8:21 and Curtis Austring on a power play marker with eight seconds left to play in the period.
The Generals cruised into the final frame with a 3-0 lead and they were far from done. Scott Kalinchuk made it 4-0 on a power play at 12:09. Robertson notched his second of the game at 6:07 and Kalinchuk added his second at 4:38 to make it 6-0.
That goal seemed to give the Eagles some overdue spark, although it was far too late.
Tylor Keller finally put the Birds on the board at 2:36, and with 37 seconds left in the game, Shawn Bates beat Generals' goalie Travis Yonkman to make it 6-2 for Bentley, which was the final score.
Bentley outshot the Eagles 40-26 over the game. Robertson was named the Generals star of the game while Bates picked up the honour for the Eagles.
Tonight's game at the Red Deer Arena begins at 8 p.m.
