The Lacombe Generals have had a tough season between other teams cancelling games, and their own players struggling to find time outside of new jobs.

However, they made it through and are now heading into playoff season. This weekend they invite the Stony Plain Eagles down to the Gary Moe Auto group Sportsplex for game one of five in the series.

GM of the team, Jeff McInnis says after their last game against the Eagles, he could see the team using their aggression to focus their energy.

“It was very physical but it was good, we enjoyed it, it got us excited about playing Stony Plain and of course the fierceness that game will bring.”

The winner of the series will go on to the ACHW league championship finals and fight for first place which McInnis says with some smart moves could be theirs.

“We're pretty happy, we think were built from the back end out, often in hockey people think that’s the way to do it, so I think we’re in a good position.”

The lack of players throughout the season could’ve been a problem, but he says they were able to make it through and are happy with how they shaped over time.

“Boy, we had a tough first half of the year getting men to the rink… but for the majority of our games, it’s been a lot better.”

McInnis excitedly explains that the more people at the game to get excited and cheer on the team, the better he believes they perform.

“We love those folks, they come and give us life and they chant, they boo… we see the crowd get larger and larger every week.”

He hopes that energy will carry into the upcoming Allan Cup that is taking place April 8-13 on Lacombe’s home ice; adding that tickets are still available but are selling fast.

“People always come last minute and look for tickets, but by then we are all sold out.”

He says that he encourages people to get ticket packages before it’s too late.