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Season approaches for Rockyview Silvertips

Coming off its best season in program history, the Rockyview Silvertips Junior B Tier 1 lacrosse team is gearing up for another tough campaign in the Rocky Mountain Lacrosse League (RMLL).
Whipper snapper
Ryan Gulutzan winds up for a shot in an earlier 2018 RMLL game.

Coming off its best season in program history, the Rockyview Silvertips Junior B Tier 1 lacrosse team is gearing up for another tough campaign in the Rocky Mountain Lacrosse League (RMLL).

The 2018 season was one to remember for the Silvertips – the squad produced an 11-8-1 record in the regular season, marking the first time the team enjoyed double-digit victories. The Silvertips also registered more than 200 goals, and finished the season with a +32 goal differential.

“It was competitive and we hope to continue that this year,” said Derrick Henry, the team’s new head coach.

By finishing the season in third place of the Central Division last year, the Cochrane-based Silvertips qualified for the Tier 1 playoffs. The team went out of the post-season early, however, falling in three straight games in a best-of-five series against the Calgary Chill.

Henry, who also played for the Rockyview Knights Senior B men’s team, took over the coaching reigns from Tyler Waycott in December 2018. According to Henry, Waycott stepped down to spend more time with his family.

Henry, who brings five years of coaching experience at the midget and bantam level in Calgary, said preseason has gone well, so far. The Silvertips played two preseason games, against the Calgary Junior Mountaineers and the Olds Mavericks, were positive early tests for the team – Rockyview tied the Mountaineers 9-9 and defeating the Mavericks 18-10.

“Everyone is new to us, so we kind of started with a clean slate,” Henry said. “Our new draft picks, the vets have been good. We [also] have a good crop of rookies, depending on who stays and who doesn’t move up to Junior A this year.”

Considering the success of the 2018 season, and the many returning players, Henry said expectations are for Rockyview to repeat last year’s achievement and qualify for playoffs.

“We even have hopes of winning the division so we can have a first-round bye into playoffs,” he said.

The Silvertips’ regular season kicks off with a trip north to take on the Sherwood Park Outlaws April 27 and the Fort Saskatchewan Rebels April 28. The team's early season will continue on the road, with a May 4 fixture against the Lethbridge Barracudas.

Fans will have to wait until May 11 for a home game, when Rockyview goes toe-to-toe with the Calgary Chill. The opening faceoff for that game is scheduled for 8 p.m. at the Spray Lake Sawmill Family Sports Centre.

The team will play at home May 12, as well, butting heads with the Barracuda Lacrosse Club, of Regina, Sask., at 1 p.m.

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