The North Central Hockey League's 30th Vanberg Cup Finals will start Saturday with game #1 between Innisfail Eagles and Lacombe Generals at the Gary Moe Sportsplex in Lacombe. Games 2 and 3 are scheduled for next weekend in Innisfail (Saturday) and Lacombe (Sunday).
Lacombe, the NCHL's reigning 2 time Vanberg Cup champions got to the finals by defeating the Westlock Warriors in 3 games in the quarterfinals and then took out Stony Plain Eagles in 3 games in the semi-finals. Innisfail has had a tougher time to get to the finals. They went the full 5 games to defeat a stubborn Devon Barons in the quarter-finals (2 games in OT) and then upset 2nd place Wetaskiwin Longhorns in the semi-finals. After losing to Wetaskiwin 5-1 in the series opener, Innisfail came back to win 3 straight (including 2 in OT) to take that series.
Jamie Johnson, this year's League Top Scorer and MVP, has lead the Generals all season. He's had some help though, as six Generals totalled more than 20 points during the regular season (Beretta, Zimmer Cam Maclise, Troy Maclise, Jardine). General's captain Cam Maclise has only played 2 games since Christmas due to job commitments, but his younger brother Troy has had a remarkable season picking up the slack with 8-17-25. Another veteran who has elevated his game is winger Colin Zimmer who collected a career high in goals and points this season, and stands to become just the 3rd player in NCHL history to win 6 Vanberg Cups. On defense, the Generals are anchored by 1st team All Stars Craig Gans and Sam Jardine, Blair Mulder, TJ Brown (Top defnseman 2024) . Goaltender Mack Engel has carried the load for the Generals through the playoffs, and while his regular season stats were slightly down, he has picked things up in the playoffs, going 6 and 0 with a 2.29 GAA and .923 save percentage.
Innisfail was lead through the regular season by 2nd team All Star Mike Marianchuk (9-13-22) and Dave Nippard (6-14-20). Former Red Deer Rustler and League MVP Tyler Berkholtz seems to have rebounded from an early season injury setback. and Chase Thudium, Chance Longjohn, Jacob Wosney and Ty Clay have had a strong playoffs. On defense, 2nd team All Star Joe Vandermeer, younger brother Dan Vandermeer, former Rustlers Nick Bell, and Zach Renaud as well as Chris Lijdsman have had strong playoffs. In goal, Chance Griffith has taken over the starters position as he played all 4 games versus Wetaskiwin and has a 5-2 record in the playoffs to go with his 2.38 GAA and .928 save percentage.
Both teams are dealing with some injuries although it's not known at this time if the players inured in the semi finals will be available for the finals.
Be sure to get to the rinks early as large crowds can be expected due to the close proximity of the two towns. This is sure to be a tough, hard fought series. Only 4 more wins to the Vanberg Cup !
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LACOMBE
BONNYVILLE
CAMROSE
STONY PLAIN
INNISFAIL
WESTLOCK
WETASKIWIN
MORINVILLE
DEVON
