INNISFAIL – The Eagles may not be league champions this year but they have still set their sights on a bigger prize -- the Allan Cup.
The Lacombe Generals swept the Innisfail Eagles with a 7-4 decision in Game 3 of the Allan Cup Hockey West league best-of-five finals on Friday (March 1) at the Innisfail Arena.
With the three games to none sweep, Lacombe was crowned league champions for the 2018-19 season.
After two tough losses on the road last weekend, Innisfail was hoping to extend the series with a win in Game 3 at home.
“We didn’t play anywhere near what we’re capable of and as far as that goes, they (Lacombe) didn’t either,” said Brian Sutter, the Birds' head coach. “It was a poor scrimmage tonight is what it was.
“Neither team had to work very hard for their goals,” he added.
Lacombe opened the scoring just 29 seconds into the first period. Eagles captain Joe Vandermeer tied the game at one late in the first frame.
Despite taking a 2-1 lead in the second period with a power-play marker from Colton Hayes, the Birds found themselves down by one after 40 minutes.
Lacombe scored four goals in the final period before Innisfail’s Ty Clay scored two of his own, but it wasn’t enough to catch the Generals, who took the game 7-4.
“We didn’t put out the effort we wanted to tonight and it showed in the end with the result,” said Vandermeer. “We just have to get focused for next weekend (against) Stony Plain.”
The local Eagles will now face off against the Stony Plain Eagles in the best-of-seven senior AAA provincial playoffs, scheduled for March 9 to 24.
The winner of this series will go to the Allan Cup. It’s an opportunity they won’t waste, said Vandermeer.
“We just got to play how we can and we got to have an effort for a full 60 minutes,” he said. “This is a chance to go to a national championships so the guys got to bear down and get it done.”
Meanwhile, Clay echoed Vandermeer by stating that the local Eagles "can be better, a lot better."
“It’s motivation to get going again and get back to the way we were playing in the last series," said Clay.
“We’ll turn the page, we’ll restart and get back to what we do. We’ll be ready to go on Saturday.”
Game 1 of the senior AAA provincial playoffs begins March 9 at the Innisfail Arena. Puck drop is 7:30 p.m.
