INNISFAIL – The Innisfail Eagles continue their winning ways.
The Birds beat the Lacombe Generals 4-3 in an exciting overtime win on Friday (Jan. 18) at the Innisfail Arena.
“I think for us we had to play a really solid team game,” said Kevin Smyth, assistant coach. “We know how good Lacombe is. (Allen) York was really good in net, we had four lines, six (defencemen) and everybody contributed.
“We stuck with the process tonight and I think that’s the important thing for us,” he added.
Innisfail’s Blair Mulder got the Birds on the board early in the first period, with a goal just 5 1/2 minutes into the opening period.
“It felt good to get the team out front, especially against these guys,” said Mulder. “Our penalty kill was huge for us and we had a lot of traffic in front of the net tonight too.
“We just got to keep doing the little things right, supporting each other and helping our goalie out when we can,” he added.
Lacombe fought back and tied the game at one just 33 seconds into the second frame. Three minutes later, Eagles forward Shawn Bates scored a power-play goal to give the Birds a 2-1 lead.
Once again Lacombe found the back of the Innisfail net, tying the game at two. Shortly after, the Birds killed off a four-minute penalty and Innisfail’s Calyan Walls beat the Generals' goaltender to give his team a 3-2 lead early in the third period.
Lacombe tied the game at three with just over 10 minutes remaining in regulation.
The game went to overtime and Eagles veteran Tyler Beechy netted the OT winner just 17 seconds into the extra frame.
“It was a good faceoff by Bates. I just made my way to the front of the net and Chris Bailer made an unbelievable pass to me and I was lucky enough to get a stick on it,” said Beechy of his game-winning goal.
“They have a really good team and we know that. They always seem to play us hard and we try to return the favour.”
The Birds currently sit in third place with 13 points, in the Allan Cup Hockey West League.
The Eagles are in Lacombe this Wednesday (Jan. 23) to face the Generals. They return to Innisfail next weekend for their last two home games of the regular season, Jan. 25 and 27.
They welcome the Stony Plain Eagles this Friday. Puck drop is 8:30 p.m.
