Fans were treated to a series of high-energy lacrosse games over the weekend that showed the determination of local forces on the floor and in the stands.
The bantam team walked away victorious with a 7-6 win over the Lacoka Locos at the Innisfail Twin Arena's eastern surface.
Teren Christensen logged for Innisfail on an assist from Lexi Grant to lead off a Phantoms assault that would see the team up 3-1 midway through the second period.
But the opponents worked well as a unit, moving in formation to shut down the Innisfail offence, scoring two quick goals along the way.
This led to cheers from the north bleachers, which served as the de facto home of the opponents' supporters for the evening.
“Good job Phantoms!” bellowed a man with a red moustache on the Innisfail side of the crowd, after Innisfail logged two more goals before the second period came to an end.
Bret Marshall's four goals throughout the game gave the team the advantage they needed to best the Locos.
Scott Stauffer had to deal with 53 shots throughout the evening.
“We are very disciplined,” Stauffer said after the match. “We keep trying and trying.”
Over on the west side of the arena a different battle was playing out. The Innisfail Yetis were beating the Lacoka Locos in Jr. B Tier II play in the South West Division of the Rocky Mountian Lacrosse League 3 – 2. But they were struggling to hold on.
With Ryan Coutts in net and a solid defensive lineup in place the offence tried to buy some insurance, aiming shot after shot at the Locos goalie. Each attempt was foiled as Innisfail players faltered on one and then faltered on the next.
The Yetis continued their destructive assault that has highlighted top scorers like Sawyer Gervais, Stuart Bell and Ryan McColm over the season.
But in the end it was not enough, as the team made up of Lacombe and Ponoka players walked away with an 8-6 win.
The next morning the bantams played the Red Deer Chiefs 3, destroying the squad 11-3 with home floor advantage.
On Sunday afternoon the Innisfail Midget team lost to the Kneehill Bulldogs 5-2 at the Innisfail arena. Lucas Huston and Brandon Posner got goals for the Phantoms in the effort. Gary Water racked up nine penalty minutes, to add to the team's 15 minutes of total sin bin time over the game.
The midgets will play Stettler at the Innisfail arena May 30 at 7:30 p.m. The Yetti will have a rematch with the Locos June 9 at 7 p.m. at the Innisfail arena.
