The Lacombe Generals had a quick shot at revenge against the Innisfail Eagles and the Rosetown Red Wings, after the Eagles got the upper-hand over The Army 4-3 in overtime last weekend.
“It is definitely a rivalry,” Generals Forward Stephen Phee said regarding Innisfail. “We are just a half hour away and we have been playing against each other for years.”
Despite coming back three different times in the game the previous weekend – Lacombe was unable to get the upper hand, meaning they were looking for a quick start against Innisfail.
That fast start was not to be, with neither team finding the back of the net in a very competitive first period. Both teams would have a chance on the powerplay and Lacombe would out-shoot Innisfail 12-7, but the score was tied at 0-0 heading into the second frame.
The second period would be another period with no results for the Generals. Despite dominating the play for much of a rough-and-tumble second period — veteran Eagle Pete Vandermeer would score on a four-on-four putting Innisfail up a goal.
The Generals heading into the final period looking to right the ship, down 1-0.
The third period would be a completely different game for Lacombe. Phee would kick off the scoring just over five minutes into the period — followed by a go-ahead goal by sniper Jesse Todd.
“We stuck with the game plan and everyone kept working hard. We got the right answer tonight,” Phee said.
Todd’s goal appeared to be the game-winner for the Generals, but Phee still luckily managed to score another insurance goal that was eventually needed.
“I picked it up and I saw (Adam) Huxley cutting across the ice. I threw it on net and it ended up going in,” Phee said.
Eagle Shawn Bates would score with 1:47 remaining, leading to a tense six-on-five — but new Generals netminder Tyler Weiman would hold the fort, leading to a 3-2 Generals win.
“It was a good game. We played well for 60 minutes and all the guys kept it simple, putting a good effort in,” Phee said.
Weiman would stop 32 shots for his first win as a General and Lacombe improved to 8-5-0-2 on the year — good for 18 and two points behind first place Rosetown.
“He played awesome for his first game and made some big saves when we needed them. He played the puck well,” Phee said
Weiman would once again be impressive when the Generals took on the first place Rosetown Red Wings on Jan. 26 — stopping 28 shots in a 4-2 win.
Phee would add another goal to cap off his own impressive weekend and Brennan Evans, Kyle Ross and Levi Nelson would each add a goal of their own.
The Generals will look to stay in first place this weekend when they host Stony Plain on Feb. 1 at 8 p.m., followed by a short road trip to Rosetown the following night.
todd.vaughan@lacombeexpress.com
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