The Lacombe Generals did just enough to win Sunday in their final regular season Allan Cup Hockey West game.
With several of their regulars sitting out, the Generals ground out a 2-1 victory over the rival Innisfail Eagles in front of a capacity crowd at the Gary Moe Auto Group Sportsplex.
“We got rewarded for a good, solid effort,” Generals head coach Sean Robertson said.
“I think we were on our heels a little bit in the second and then for us to regroup in the third and win a hockey game like that – we haven’t had to do that very often this year. It was very important that we got some tangible evidence that shows when you play the right way, good things happen.”
After a sloppy first period where both teams appeared to still be finding their legs because of the rare 11 a.m. start, the two squads quickly renewed rivalries in the second and traded goals six minutes apart.
Kyle Bailey opened the scoring for the Generals, but it was Geoff Rollins who responded for the Eagles.
The chippy game continued well into the third and the two sides combined for 58 penalty minutes throughout the night.
Ian Barteaux scored what proved to be the game-winning goal with just under 10 minutes to play in the third. The defenceman wired a wrist shot past blocker side Kraymer Barnstable in the Eagles net and sent the hometown crowd home happy.
“When you keep going around and around in the O-zone, something will open up. It’s never a bad idea to put it on net and we were going glove side all game and decided to change it up. Went blocker and it went in. Lucky me,” Barteaux said.
Barnstable finished the game with 30 saves in loss.
Fans filtered in from the downtown Hometown Hockey celebration throughout the game and both the players and coaching staff said it was a thrill to see the building full like that ahead of playoffs.
“It was excellent. You look around and the rink is full and it’s loud. Lots of kids around and that’s important. That’s part of us giving back to the community. We try to put a good product on the ice and have these kids come out and watch good hockey,” Robertson said.
Barteaux added: “I think Hometown Hockey definitely brought the people out. Special event, especially for us. We don’t get to do this very often anymore. With the lights and the cameras. Little bit of nostalgia. For the fans, it’s just a little more excitement,” he said.
The Generals also picked up a big 8-0 win over the Fort Saskatchewan Chiefsat home on Saturday night. Kyle Bailey had a six-point night with a hat trick and three assists while Doug Jessey, Brett Robertson, Dylan Nowakowski, Daulton Siwak and Teegan Moore all added goals.
After suffering a neck injury last month, Generals captain Don Morrison is out for the remainder of the year. Robertson said it’s a tough pill to swallow for the club and especially hard because of the leadership he provided.
“He’s positive reinforcement for our hockey club. He’s got a positive outlook on things. His spirits seem okay, it’s tragic that he’s not going to play anymore. That’s hard to swallow,” Robertson said.
With the regular season all wrapped up, the Generals will take on the Fort Saskatchewan Chiefs in the first round of the Senior AAA Alberta Playoffs. Game 1 is set for Feb. 18 in Fort Saskatchewan, before shifting back to Lacombe on Family Day, Feb. 19. Puck drop for the Family Day game is 2:30 p.m. Innisfail will play the Stony Plain Eagles in the first round of the playoffs.
Email sports tips to Byron Hackett
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