The Innisfail Eagles are one win away from dethroning their archrivals and making history for local hockey.
Thanks to another dramatic overtime 3-2 victory Sunday, the Innisfail Eagles took Game 5 of the Chinook Hockey League semifinals in Lacombe against the Bentley Generals and now lead the series 3-2. The Eagles have never defeated the Generals in a playoff series, nor have they reached the finals.
The Birds got on the scoreboard first with a power-play goal from forward Mark Bomersback, who was the hero of the night. He also scored the overtime winner on a breakaway after a bad turnover by Bentley.
The Eagles' second goal came from Chad Robinson early in the third frame.
So far this series the Eagles have won all three road games in the Generals' barn. (3-2, 8-1, and 3-2) Two of those wins were in overtime.
The two teams have played a number of close games this season, with many of them won or lost by just one goal.
Eagles forward Greg Moore may be new to the team this year but is familiar with the often-intense rivalry between Innisfail and Bentley.
“It was immediate in Game 1,” said Moore. “So far this series we've played four games and it's been high paced and a lot of battles -- in front of the net, in between plays and after whistles,” he added. “They want to defend their (league) title from last year.”
Sometimes a rivalry comes down to a number of factors including proximity, competitiveness and history between the two teams.
Kevin Smyth, a former Bentley player and now assistant coach with Innisfail, said top teams in any league can contribute to a rivalry in both the regular season and during playoffs.
“They've been on top for a long time and any time you're on top, everybody's always trying to dethrone you,” said Smyth. “They've got a great team over there. They play hard, and they got a lot of skill, so it's important for us to maintain what we're doing here.”
Smyth noted longtime Bentley players, such as captain Don Morrison and Brett Thurston, are key players on the Generals who have led the team this season, adding he used to play with them and that rivalries are often born because of that history with a rival team.
“A lot of us spent some time there and we won there,” said Smyth. “The Allan Cup is an old trophy and I don't think the rivalry is so much (about) Bentley as it is we want to win that Allan Cup. Much the same as they do,” he added, noting that his main focus is now his new team.
“Yes, there is a rivalry, but not so much for me,” he said. “I hate losing to them more than anybody, probably because I played there for a little bit.
“They're a great hockey team and they're going to be tough to beat, but we're going to give it all we got.”
Game 6 of the Chinook Hockey League semifinals takes place this Saturday, March 5 at the Innisfail Arena. Puck drops at 7:30 p.m.
Front page photo by Kevin Bradshaw
Kevin Smyth
"A lot of us spent some time there and we won there. The Allen Cup is an old trophy and I don't think the rivalry is so much (about) Bentley as it is we want to win that Allan Cup."
