The North Central Hockey League semi-finals are underway and the Innisfail Eagles are off and running.
The Birds blanked the Lacombe Generals 4-0 on Saturday, September 21st in Game 1 of their best-of-seven series. Chance Griffith from Crossfield kicked out all 34 shots to earn the shutout in net for Innisfail, while Colten Hayes from Maple Ridge, B.C. netted an even strength marker to open the scoring in the first period and he added a power play goal in the second period. Chase Thudium from Sylvan Lake and Mike Marianchuk from Innisfail also tallied for the Eagles as they outshot the Generals 40-34.
Game 2 was played on Sunday evening in Lacombe and the Eagles scored twice in each period en route to a 6-1 victory. Jordan Xavier from Calgary led the offense for Innisfail with a hat trick, Hayes scored twice more and Thudium also had another goal against the Generals. Xavier had two shorthanded goals and a power play goal. Thudium’s goal also came on a man advantage for the visitors. Griffith made 27 saves as Innisfail led the game in shots by a 38 to 28 margin.
The series will continue with Game 3 on Friday at 8 o’clock at the Twin Arenas. Game 4 is in Lacombe the next night at 7:30. If necessary, Game 5 would be in Innisfail on Wednesday, March 4th at 8pm.
Meantime, the Longhorns defeated the Camrose Bruins twice in Wetaskiwin by scores of 7-2 and 6-4 to go up 2-0 in the other semi-final.
