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Eagles lose double-header to Bonnyville

The senior ‘AA’ Eckville Eagles were looking to gain some ground in the NCHL standings over the weekend in a double-header.
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EAGLES TAKE LOSS - #22 Patrick Turville and the Eagles were on the road against Bonnyville over the weekend.

The senior ‘AA’ Eckville Eagles were looking to gain some ground in the NCHL standings over the weekend in a double-header against the Bonnyville Pontiacs.

Unfortunately, the Eagles were unable to steal any points despite scoring nine goals over the course of the weekend.

General Manager/ defensemen for the Eckville Eagles, Reed Watts was disappointed the Eagles couldn’t take the second game after being up 4-2 to start the third period.

“We played a great game for 55 minutes,” he said. “We were the better team but that’s hockey. You have to be the better team for 60 whole minutes and even then it isn’t guaranteed. We did our best but we ran out of gas.”

The heart break came at the four-minute mark of the third period when the Pontiacs cashed in two goals within the span of 14 seconds.

“With five minutes left we needed to put the foot on the gas,” Watts said. “We needed to at least get to overtime and roll the dice there. We pushed the play and gave them everything they could handle but their goalie stood tall. The 5-4 goal was the kick while you’re down.”

Despite the losses, the Eagles displayed brilliant offense led by Brendan Lamb who led the way with five goals over the course of the weekend.

“Brendan Lamb played great all weekend,” Watts said, adding the whole team was on a tear.

“Just because someone didn’t get in on the score sheet doesn’t mean they weren’t involved,” he added.

The Eagles needed the extra scoring as their top two scorers Chance Abbott and Matt Kinnunen were both unable to attend these games. The Eagles now move onto their last game of the season against the Edson Ice. The game has playoff implications for Eckville. If Whitecourt loses their double-header against league-leading Daysland and the Eagles win Eckville will take sole possession of fifth place position and perhaps home-ice advantage.

“Daysland wants that number one spot and they won’t lay off the gas,” Watts said. “This weekend is a must win game if we want to be the five team and not the six team.”

The final playoff roster has been set with a couple new additions over the holiday break. Watts hopes everyone in Eckville will come out and support the Eagles in their last home game of the regular season.

“I think everyone will be pleasantly surprised with this team,” he said adding, “We will have a young Eagle on the ice as well again.”

reporter@sylvanlakenews.com