Game SummaryFor the first time in nearly 3 years, we have found ourselves with a Senior AAA provincial and Chinook Hockey league playoff series. This one shapes up to be a dandy as Innisfail hosted Stony Plain in game one of our best of 5 series. Stony Plain showed up to play and made Innisfail earn every bit of their home ice advantage in this one. We saw some spectacular performances from both goaltenders, big hits, and lots of fan engagement. If the remaining games shape up to be anything like the first, then i'll tell you what folks, we will certainly have ourselves quite the series. Lets Dive in:
The first period we would see no scoring, however we would see a period where both teams would control large portions of the action. Stony Plain got an early powerplay, and were looking to get and early strike on the hosts, however they would be unable to capitalize. They would gain some momentum from the powerplay and would continue to press the hosts for much of the early stages of the period. Innisfail would find its legs however and would start to build some momentum of their own. Jordan Cooke stood tall in net for Stony Plain, as he would turn away 21 shots in the period, making some great saves to keep Stony Plain alive during Innisfail's strong push to end the period. Shots were 21-10 in favor of the hosts in the first, with Stony Plain receiving two PP's to Innisfail's one.
Period two we started to see the action open up a bit more as both teams would exchange excellent chances. Innisfail would break the deadlock at 14:56 as Parker Smyth would get a piece of a point shot that would just trickle under the glove arm of Jordan Cooke. Shortly after, Stony Plain would get a chance to not only equalize, however to potentially go ahead, as they would be gifted a 5on3 PP. Matt Climie was sensational over the two minutes as he made some unbelievable saves to keep Innisfail ahead in the game. Including one with the shaft of his stick. Stony would build all sorts of momentum and get shots towards goal, however the stellar goaltending would keep them off the board. Innisfail would push back and create opportunities at the other end of the rink, and Jordan Cooke would answer the bell for Stony Plain with some spectacular saves of his own. Moving side to side on countless occasions, getting his pads on many of the chances for Innisfail. Including a stellar read on an Innisfail breakaway, denying the shooter with a terrific glove save. Period two would be the goalie period in what seemed like a "what you can do I can do better" type of matchup. After two periods of play the score was 1-0 for the host. Each team would get one PP a piece, with shots favoring Innisfail 17-10 in the second.
Period three we started to see the physicality and pace of the game pick up more. Each team was looking to establish themselves and set the tone for the following games to come. This created an atmosphere that the fans clearly loved as we started to hear chants rain down from the crowd for home town favorites, exciting cheers for big hits, saves, and of course some jeers for the zebras. Innisfail would come out strong, putting pressure on Stony Plain early on, however they would bend and not break due to some more fantastic goaltending. Stony Plain would establish themselves physically in this period, making it difficult for Innisfail's skaters to get in the high scoring areas. This of course resulting in lots of after whistle scrums, and individual battles throughout the period. The best chances of the period, came from a Richard Kelly wraparound goal, that was ultimately waved off, due to the net being knocked off. With other chances including, a couple three on ones, and two on ones, for Stony Plain. However we would not end up with another goal for the game. The third period would end 1-0 for Innisfail, making it officially the final of game one.
Game one would end 1-0 for the Innisfail Eagles who now lead the series one game to nothing over Stony Plain. Shots on goal would end 59-30 in favor of Innisfail. Stony Plain would receive three PP's, while Innisfail would receive four PP's. Jordan Cooke would turn away 58 of 59 shots for the loss, in what was a sensational effort from start to finish. Matt Climie would stop all 30 shots he faced, taking the win and shutout. The series now shifts to next weekend where we will have a double header, Friday night in Stony Plain for game 2, and Saturday night in Innisfail for game 3. Stay tuned folks as things have only gotten started, and I am very sure there is much more great action to follow.
Box Score:
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INNISFAIL EAGLE.
STONY PLAIN EAG.
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