The Innisfail Eagles opened their 2011 Chinook Hockey League season this past weekend with two home games. First off was Friday night when they hosted the Sylvan Lake Admirals.
The boys came out of the shoot flying hard for the first few minutes but were unable to put anything past the Admirals veteran net minder. The Admirals however were able to find away to beat returning tender Wade Waters at 18:03 of the first period.
Half way through the first period the Eagles were given a chance to get back in the game when the Admirals net minder took a penalty during a scrum at the net. With another penalty on delay against Sylvan, Daryl Blais was able to capitalize on a loose puck to tie the game up at one.
Late in the first Sylvan was able to bury a puck past Waters on a nifty passing play that left the Eagles goaltender defenseless. The first period came to an end with the hometown Eagles down 2-1. Both teams were able to register 10 shots a piece.
The 2nd period was all Sylvan as they scored three unanswered goals on some odd man rushes. The Eagles seemed to be running around a little bit, which allowed the Admirals to take a commanding 5-1 lead going into the 3rd period.
Coach Ryan Dodd tried to motivate the Birds during the intermission and shortened the bench for the start of the period. The boys seemed to be running around still and the Admirals were able to capitalize on a defensive zone break down early on to put them up 6-1. Coach Dodd tried to fire the boys up by putting his 4th line checkers out to try and take some wind out of Sylvan’s sails. After a big open ice hit on the Admirals Blue line, veteran Kent Wing was forced to drop the mitts against Sylvan’s Cody Esposito. Both chuckers landed some solid punches but the fight went to Esposito.
Innisfail was able to get on the board again when Blais buried his 2nd of the night, but the Admirals were able to bounce back shortly after leaving the game well out of reach for the Birds, at a score of 7-2 for Sylvan.
Saturday night the Eagles were out for some redemption from their disappointing loss the night before, as they played host to the Fort Saskatchewan Chiefs.
The Chiefs showed up with a short bench, but as most know that’s not necessarily a bad thing for Fort Sask. Innisfail’s game plan was simple, out skate the short benched Chiefs and try to come out with 2 points. Unfortunately for the birds this game was all Fort Sask from the get go.
The Chiefs scored 3 unanswered goals against Waters in the 1st period, on 26 shots. Coach Dodd’s message during the intermission was simple, the Birds needed to start hitting the Chiefs every chance they could and out skate them. Fort scored 2 more goals in the 2nd.
The Birds made a goal tender change at the start of the 3rd period, putting returning tender Evan Miller between the pipes. The 3rd continued to be all about Fort Sask as they scored 4 more goals on 19 shots against Miller. With 3:30 remaining in the game rookie Sean Neumeier buried a pass from returner Ryan Kallis to break the shutout.
Next week the Birds are on the road twice facing off against expansion team Carstairs Red Hawks on Friday then travel up the highway to face off against the Bentley Generals on Saturday night.
Till next week.
