(Innisfail Eagles/ Submitted)

By rdnewsNOW staff

NCHL Championship

Innisfail Eagles win first-ever Vanberg Cup title

Mar 23, 2025 | 5:41 PM

The Innisfail Eagles captured the Vanberg Cup in their first season in the North Central Senior AA Hockey League.

On Saturday in Lacombe they defeated the defending champion Lacombe Generals 7-2 in Game 5 of the best-of-seven series.

“When you can go in and deliver a victory over the defending champs in their own barn, it’s pretty sweet,” said head coach and general manager, Ryan Dodd. “Lacombe are a great team and a top-shelf organization. They played us tough the whole way through, but this group of guys is something special. You can feel it in the dressing room as well as on the ice – I’m proud of this team and what we’ve accomplished this year.”

The Eagles jumped out to an early 2–0 lead with goals from forward Chase Thudium and Chance Longjohn.

The Generals answered with a pair of goals Thomas Beretta including one with only 21 seconds remaining. The Eagles added one more from Mike Marianchuk to head into the first intermission up 3-2.

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In the second period, Innisfail, native Nick Bell gave the Eagles a two-goal cushion followed by three straight goals from the Eagles in the third period to seal the deal. Thudium, Marianchuk, and Quintin Lisoway all found the back of the net.

The series most valuable player award was presented to Innisfail goaltender Chance Griffith, who made 28 saves in the series-clinching victory.

Meanwhile, Thudium won the NCHL playoff scoring leader race after he notched 12 goals and 10 assists in 14 playoff games.

Next up for the Eagles, they’ll head to Lethbridge from April 3-6 to compete against the best teams in Alberta at the Senior AA Provincial Championship.

They will compete in a six-team round-robin tournament, including division winners and the host team, the Lethbridge Lightning.

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