INNISFAIL – The long-awaited 2019 Allan Cup tournament in the region is underway.
The senior national hockey championship series takes place this week in Lacombe from April 8 to 13.
With the Innisfail Eagles one of the six teams participating, the Innisfail community is rallying around its hometown team in their quest for the historic Allan Cup.
"I think it's an awesome thing for the community,” said Randy Graham with the Innisfail Minor Hockey Association. “Minor hockey is definitely behind the Eagles. The Eagles have helped minor hockey out quite a bit over the last few years.
"We've also got two former Innisfail Minor Hockey League players in Danyon Lorencz and Riley Simpson, who are playing for the Eagles," he added. "It'd be great to see those two guys have a chance to play for the Allan Cup."
Innisfail’s mayor Jim Romane is also thrilled for the Eagles and hockey fans alike.
"It's quite an achievement. I'm sure the community is behind them," said Romane, noting he’s heard positive comments from residents and knows several people who are buying tickets for the tournament.
"From what I've seen (this season) I'd say we've got a very good, competitive team. I think they've got an excellent opportunity to do well and advance (to the championship game)," Romane added. “I'm wishing them all the best.”
Eagles captain Joe Vandermeer has played in the Allan Cup tournament before and is helping his team stay focused on the challenge at hand.
"I just told our leadership in here we just got to get the guys to not let all the outside noise get to you and when it comes down to game time, just play," said Vandermeer. "It's pretty exciting for this organization to make it to the Allan Cup. It's a high level national tournament," he added, noting other team members have also played in an Allan Cup tournament.
"With this format you can't take a night off. Every game matters so we just got to go in there and be ready from the first drop of the puck," said Vandermeer, noting the community support.
"If it was down east or out of province a lot of people wouldn't have the opportunity to come and cheer us on," he said. "Since I've been here in Innisfail it's been great every year with the support from the community and sponsorship throughout. It's awesome that we'll have that support with (the Allan Cup) being up the road here a few miles."
The Eagles had two practices this week leading up to the tournament.
Head coach Brian Sutter said the Eagles are taking it one game at a time, anticipating an intense national championship series.
"Every game is a playoff series within itself and you can’t screw up any night,” said Sutter. “You have to win one game at a time.
“It’s such a condensed tournament. It’s by far the toughest tournament of any professional (junior and senior) playoff series there is,” he added. “There’s no margin for error. You got to be good every night.”
Innisfail faced familiar foe Rosetown Red Wings in Game 1 on Monday and is squaring off against the reigning Allan Cup champions tonight (Tuesday) in Lacombe. They rest on Wednesday and will play in a quarter-final game on Thursday. The semifinals are Friday and the championship game, televised on TSN, is Saturday.
“At this time of year you worry about all the things that got you to this point in time,” said Sutter, noting strong support from fans and sponsors.
"It’s an honour to be with all those guys. It is special and I want the guys to enjoy it but I want them to be themselves as much as they can be too.
“It’s a privilege to get there. I’ve been there a number of times and know how hard it is. We need everybody contributing and everybody a part of it,” Sutter concluded.
