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Lakeland Eagles beat Grande Prairie Athletics in first game of finals
Emily Plihal
for Smoky River Express
Lakeland Eagles earned a spot in the NPHL finals against the Grande Prairie Athletics in a high-offense game against the Falher Pirates on March 12.
The Eagles and Athletics played their first game of the finals on March 16 in Grande Prairie at 8:30 p.m.
Grande Prairie beat out the Dawson Creek Canucks to match up against the Eagles.
Lakeland opened the scoring at 2:30 of the first period with a goal by captain Travis Cunningham. His goal was assisted by Tyler Shantz and Travis Chalifoux.
Grande Prairie answered back on the power play at 12:16 off a shot by Mark Wallman. His goal was set up by Mike Mohr and Jordan Menzes.
Shots in the first period were 15–10 in favour of Grande Prairie.
Cunningham scored his second goal of the game at 15:14 of the second period. Shantz and Allen Anderson Jr. earned assists on the play.
The Eagles’ goal was the lone tally in the second period.
Lakeland took a two goal lead at 2:01 of the third period. Craig Anderson scored off a play started by Jay Anderson and Al Anderson.
Grande Prairie’s Scott Taje narrowed the gap at 7:31. His goal was assisted by Shane Mudryk and Mike Mohr.
The Athletics tied up the game at 14:39. The goal was scored by Rod Bowers and assisted by Wallman.
An overtime period was necessary in the game.
Lakeland’s desire to win proved to be greater than that of the Athletics when Craig Anderson scored his second goal of the game just 1:33 into the overtime period.
Shots on goal were 43–39 in favour of the Lakeland Eagles.
Lakeland could not capitalize on five power play opportunities. Grande Prairie scored once on three man-advantage chances.
The two teams faced off again on March 18 in McLennan. The series is a best-of-five game playoff.
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Jared Zawacki and Eagles’ Craig Anderson battle in front of Eagles’ goalie Kyle Shantz.
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