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Lacombe Generals looking to capture Allan Cup on home ice

Generals returning key veterans in hopes avenging last years finals loss
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The Lacombe Generals are returning to the ice in a year that will bring exposure to both the team and the community of Lacombe.

The Generals are hosting the 2019 Allan Cup Championship and General Manager Jeff McInnis is hoping to field a team that will take the cup home

“We do have a core of men who care and want to be there,” he said. “It is pretty exciting. We had quite the summer recruiting, painting the arena and building an Allan Cup that will be even better than the last one six years prior. It is an exciting time for our organization.

The Generals will be anchored by veterans Jesse Todd, Brennen Evans, Doug Jesse and goaltendersSteven Stanford and Jake Deserres who were all part of a 2018 team that went to the Allan Cup final last season.

“We have a pretty good track record of being competitive,” McInnis said. “We have been in the national title game nine out of the last 11 years.”

Winning the Allan Cup is always the goal for the Generals and McInnis believes the success of the Generals is helping the team become a go-to event in Central Alberta.

“It is the best kept secret, I think, around,” he said. “It always exceeds expectations and the people all give time and effort. People sponsor it and believe in it. It is hard to give up on something so many people believe in.”

Fans will notice several Allan Cup inspired changes to the Gary Moe Auto Group Sportsplex including the repainting of the stands and a brand new logo at center ice.

“The colour scheme in the rink had a severe contrast. Credit to our people, they took on that project and it was a large one. It looks wonderful,” he said.

McInnis is thankful for Viking Projects and all the other sponsors of the Allan Cup who have stepped up to deliver an experience.

“They are helping make this a reality,” he said. “We hope their is a positive ripple for everyone because the Cup is coming to our community.”

The Generals, who play in the Allan Cup Hockey West division, are looking to implement changes along with the rest of the league.

“We are trying to work together better cohesively as far as the teams are concerned,” he said. “It is hard when you are competing with each other on the ice to work together in the board room.

“I think this summer we did a good job of working together. We are trying to reform some rules and how the Allan Cup is played for. The on-ice product has exceeded the current set of rules and regulations.”

Many of the changes are in order to limit injuries on the ice

“We want to raise the quality of the league in general,” McInnis said.

The Generals will begin their season officially on on Oct. 12th against the Fort Saskatchewan Chiefs on home ice at 8 p.m.

todd.vaughan@lacombeexpress.com