Powell River Regals faced a tough test last weekend, hosting Alberta’s 2023 senior AAA champion Innisfail Eagles for a pair of games at Hap Parker Arena.
“Our young team showed they can compete at this level and these games were very valuable in the development of what it takes to be responsible in each end and play a 200-foot game,” said Regals’ coach Tod English. “Our commitment level on and off the ice is the best I have seen in a long while.”
Eagles opened the scoring in the second period on December 8, however, Regals responded just over a minute later with a goal from Mike Behan, set up by Ethan Schmunk and Rick McLaren, but the home team failed to score again. The visitors scored twice in the second period and added an insurance marker in the third for a 3-1 win.
“The third period was a very fast pace,” said English. “Innisfail got the 3-1 goal with under five minutes left in the game. We had a good push with the goalie pulled but couldn’t get one through.”
Laszlo Tamasik made 25 saves for the Regals, who were outshot 28-26.
“The first game was a matter of taking a penalty late and not converting on our power play,” said English.
Eagles 6 - Regals 3
The following night, after another scoreless first period, Regals jumped out to a 2-0, second period lead courtesy of goals from Nic Porchetta and Schmunk. However, the Alberta champions took control of the game in the latter stages of the period, scoring four goals over a span of 10 minutes to lead 4-2 at intermission, then made it a three-goal margin early in the third period.
The third period featured multiple big hits, according to English, and two fights. While Innisfail was shorthanded for five minutes due to a major cross-checking penalty, Bekkam Willis scored the third Powell River goal in a late push from the home team to make it 5-3.
“We finished the game on that power play but could not buy one as the Eagles forced well on the penalty kill,” said English. “Ryan Fairgray had a great game, as did our entire team.”
Fairgray turned aside 24 shots in defeat, two fewer than his counterpart in the Innisfail net. Eagles made it 6-2 with five seconds remaining on the clock.
“I’m super proud of our effort against a very experienced team,” said English. “If not for three or four bad shifts and defensive zone coverage in the second period, we could have locked that second game down.”
Powell River is hosting the BC senior AA championship tournament in March, which will include three regional representatives along with the host Regals.
“As we finish the first half of the year I would like to thank our team, their families and fans,” said English, “and our volunteers as we look forward to building toward being the best version of ourselves come time to play in the Coy Cup.”
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