The Innisfail Eagles have jumped out to 1-0 lead in the best-of-seven final in the North Central Senior AA Hockey League.
The Eagles scored a pair of goals late in the game to seal the 5-3 victory Saturday night against the defending Vanberg Cup champion Lacombe Generals at Gary Moe Auto Group Sportsplex.
Mike Marianchuk opened the scoring for the Eagles late in the first period before Craig Gans responded for the Generals.
Innisfail would regain their lead early in the second with a goal by Dave Nippard. Again, Lacombe responded with Bryce Wilson finding the back of the net midway through the second.
The Eagles took a 3-2 lead with 4:48 remaining in the game on a goal by Quintin Lisoway. The Generals would tie it up just over a minute later when Craig Gans scored his second of the night.
Innisfail would take a holding penalty with just over three minutes remaining and but would eventually score a short-handed goal to pull ahead once more. Tyler Berholtz scored his third of the playoffs with an assist by Quintin Lisoway.
Chase Thudium sealed the 5-3 victory for Innisfail with 41 seconds remaining.
The Generals outshot the Eagles 36-33 on the night. Both teams were 0-for-3 on the power play.
Game 2 goes next Saturday (March 15) in Innisfail. Puck drop is at 7:30 p.m.
Game 3 is back in Lacombe on Sunday (March 16) at 2:30 p.m.
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