INNISFAIL - The Innisfail Eagles earned three of four points in their first weekend of 2017 after a decisive 4-2 victory against the Fort Saskatchewan Chiefs on the road Saturday, and a tough 6-5 double overtime loss at home on Sunday against the Rosetown Red Wings.
Parker Evans-Campbell opened the scoring Sunday, Jan. 8, putting the Eagles up 1-0 early in the first period. Goals from Chad Robinson and Mike Winther gave Innisfail a short-lived 3-1 lead. Just over a minute later the Red Wings scored a power-play marker making it 3-2 for Innisfail.
"We got to find a way to stay ahead in games," said forward Zach Franko, who is new to the Eagles lineup.
Special teams played a role in Sunday's overtime loss, with both teams having several opportunities with the man advantage. However, only Rosetown was able to capitalize on their chances, scoring a power-play goal late in the first frame and a short-handed marker in the second.
"Any time you get a few chances with the man advantage you want to score, at least create momentum and not get scored on. That was a tough one," said Franko of the short-handed goal against the Birds.
The only scoring in the second period was the Red Wings' short-handed goal that tied the game at three early in the frame.
Rosetown closed the gap early in the third period making it 4-3. Innisfail's Ty Clay and Tyler Beechey both scored in the final 20 minutes, but it was Rosetown that had the last say with a fifth and tying goal at the midway mark of the period.
The game would go to double overtime with Jared Jegow of the Red Wings scoring the game-winning overtime goal with just over two minutes remaining.
"There was a turnover in the neutral zone and we went firing up," said Jegow. "Their goalie came out and tried to stop the puck and (they) ran into each other. The puck flicked out back in front and got banged in."
Eagles forward Mike Winther said both teams battled in their first matchup of the season.
"I thought we got off to a good start; the team was really playing well. In the second period it was back and forth and we let them back into (the game)," said Winther. "In the third again it was a back-and-forth game. Both teams played well tonight," he added, noting the Eagles have had a good start to 2017 and want to keep that momentum going.
"We got a good team here and if we keep playing the same way I think we're going to be successful (this second half)," said Winther.
The Eagles are on the road next weekend with two back-to-back games in Rosetown Jan. 14 and 15. Their next home game is Jan. 27 against the Stony Plain Eagles at Innisfail Arena. Puck drop is 8:30 p.m.
Mike Winther , Eagles forward
"I thought we got off to a good start; the team was really playing well. We got a good team here and if we keep playing the same way I think we're going to be successful (this second half)."
