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After a disappointing opening game loss last weekend, the Eagles were hoping to redeem themselves this past weekend.

In game one of the provincial play-offs, the Eagles were dealt a 9-0 loss. This past weekend, the Eagles had to play game two of the series at home on Friday and then traveled to Sylvan Lake for game three on Saturday.

For game two on Friday, GM Lee Kemp brought in a little extra help – Ryan Layden from the Three Hills Thrashers and Sean Neumeier and Corey Campbell of the Olds Grizzlys joined the Eagles for Friday’s game.

The Eagles came out looking very well in the first period and only allowed the WCA Rams to score once. Archie Henderson was back in the pipes after having a two-week holiday. Henderson made 13 saves in the first frame to hold the Rams at one.

In the second frame, the Eagles lost their edge. The team’s defense had a few mistakes that allowed the Rams to score three times on two and three-on-ones. Henderson stood strong stopping 16 of the 19 shots.

The Birds tried hard to soar in the third.

The Rams scored early in the period to take a commanding 4-0 lead. Luke Boyer was finally able to break the goose egg and get the Eagles on the board with assists going to Ryan Kallis and Sean Fischer. The newly uplifted team was quickly brought back to reality when the Rams scored goal number six. Clark Lowry would spark the team once more midway through the period off a feed from Aaron and Luke Boyer. The entire team then forgot about defense and thought strictly offense, leaving Henderson to fend for himself. The Rams found the long pass twice more in the period to take the game 8 – 2. Henderson made 13 more stops in the third for a three period total of 38 saves on 46 shots.

On Saturday, the two teams went to war again. This time the Eagles did not have a full line but somehow looked more prepared. The dressing room was pretty empty with only 12 players, but it was the best twelve that could’ve shown up.

The Eagles came out flying like we have not seen in while. They had numerous scoring chances, but could not solve the Rams’ tender in the first period. The Rams, however, found the mesh to take a one-goal lead.

In the second frame, the Eagles looked the best they have in a couple weeks. Brett Sparks got the Eagles on the board late in the frame with helpers going to Daryl Blais and Kelly Rogers. With the seconds ticking off the clock, Blais was hooked up by Rogers to give the Eagles their first lead against the Rams in two weeks. The second period of this game was by far the best second period the Eagles have played this year.

After a scrum behind the net, the Eagles came out two men down. The Rams scored on both the five-on-three and then again on the five-on-four to take the lead back 3 – 2. The birds fought hard, trying to solve the Rams’ tender to force the game into O.T. The Rams scored once more in the frame to take the win again.

This Saturday will have these two teams go at it again back in Sylvan Lake. This will be game four of the best-of-seven provincial qualifier. If the Eagles cannot find a way to come together and find a win, their season will be cut short.

Game time in Sylvan Lake is at 8:30 p.m. They have beer gardens and a very nice new rink so come out and enjoy some senior hockey action. Let’s hope that the Eagles can find a way to pull out a couple wins next week to get game six back in Innisfail on March 20.

‘Til next week.