The Innisfail Eagles drew first blood in the North Central Senior AA Hockey League Vanberg Cup final.
The best-of-seven final with the Lacombe Senior AA Generals got underway Saturday in Lacombe.
Innisfail earned a hard-fought 5-3 victory in Game 1.
With the game tied at three late in the third, the Eagles went down a man. Eagles forward Tyler Berkholtz was able to play hero, scoring short-handed with 1:36 left in the game. Chase Thudium added an empty-net goal for Innisfail with 41 seconds left to seal the victory.
Craig Gans had a pair for the Generals and Bryce Wilson also scored. Mike Marianchuk, Dave Nippard and Quintin Lisoway also scored for the Eagles.
"We embraced the underdog role in the semi-finals against Wetaskiwin but as that series progressed, our confidence grew and it became clear we were the better team. I could see that mentality carry over to tonight," said Eagles head coach and GM Ryan Dodd in a press release.
"We know what the Generals bring, and we’re confident that if we stick to our game, good things will keep happening. I don’t think anyone is calling us the underdog anymore.”
Eagles goaltender Chance Griffith was solid between the pipes, stopping 36 of 39 shots. Generals goalie Mackenzie Engel made 34 saves in the loss.
Game 2 is Saturday in Innisfail with puck drop set for 7:30 p.m. Game 3 is March 16 in Lacombe, with puck drop at 2:30 p.m. Game 4 is Friday, March 21 back in Innisfail, with puck drop at 8 p.m.
