(Image Credit: rdnewsNOW file photo)

By Ian Gustafson

To defend their crown

Innisfail Eagles advance to Vanberg Cup Finals

Mar 11, 2026 | 2:24 PM

The Innisfail Eagles are headed to the North Central Hockey League Finals for the second straight year in hopes of defending their title.

They returned to the Vanberg Cup after defeating the Lacombe Generals 8-7 in double-overtime of Game 6 last Saturday in Lacombe. As a result, they won the best-of-seven series four games to two.

The Eagles jumped out to an early three-goal lead before Lacombe got on the board late in the frame.

Before the end of the opening period, the Eagles made it 4-1, but the Generals pulled within two with 18 seconds remaining.

In the second period, the Eagles tacked on three more to lead 7-3, but in the final frame, the Generals notched four unanswered goals to send it to overtime.

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However, Eagles forward Riley Simpson scored with 5:14 remaining in the extra frame to book their ticket to the finals.

“That had to be one of the best hockey games during my time with the Eagles,” said Eagles head coach and general manager, Ryan Dodd, in a media release. “My hat is off to the Generals. They left it all on the ice, and I couldn’t be more proud of the way our guys answered the challenge.”

The Eagles will now face the Wetaskiwin Longhorns for the Vanberg Cup title in a best-of-seven series that begins this Friday, March 13, at 8 p.m. in Innisfail.

Game 2 is set for Saturday, March 14, at 7 p.m. in Wetaskiwin at Co-op Place, followed by Game 3 on Saturday, March 21, at 6 p.m. at the Innisfail Twin Arena.

Game 4 will be played on Sunday, March 22, in Wetaskiwin at 6:30 p.m., and if needed, Game 5 will be on Wednesday, March 25, Game 6 on Friday, March 27, and Game 7 on Saturday, March 28.