By Josh Hall

down, but not out

Innisfail Eagles down 2-0 in NCHL final

Mar 16, 2026 | 4:45 PM

The defending champion Innisfail Eagles find themselves in parts unknown as the NCHL final heads to Game 3.

The Eagles hadn’t lost two straight games this season until now, and that means they’re in a 2-0 hole in their best-of-seven series against the Wetaskiwin Longhorns.

Wetaskiwin, meanwhile, did have a three-game losing streak late in the season, so anything is possible.

The season series was split, one win apiece.

Game 1 of the championship final in Innisfail was a wild one, ending 8-7 for the visitors; Game 2 was also tight, but ended with the Longhorns on top on their home ice, 5-4.

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“We knew the Longhorns were going to give us all we could handle,” says Ryan Dodd, Eagles head coach and GM. “They’re playing their best hockey right now and we’re going to have to be better if we want to come back.”

Dodd says his confidence in the team hasn’t wavered.

The series shifts back to Innisfail with the Eagles expecting a sold-out crowd at the Innisfail Twin Arena for Saturday night’s Game 3 tilt (6 p.m.).

Game 4 is scheduled in Wetaskiwin on Sunday (6:30 p.m.).

Remaining games, if necessary, are slated for March 25 in Innisfail (8 p.m.), March 27 in Wetaskiwin (8 p.m.), and March 28 in Innisfail (6 p.m.)

Games in Wetaskiwin are played at Co-op Place (Wetaskiwin Civic Centre).