The Rocky View Silvertips lost in the first round of Rocky Mountain Lacrosse League (RMLL) playoffs, July 8 at SAIT, against the Calgary Shamrocks.
The Silvertips entered the playoffs with a record of 1W-14L-2T, but played the Shamrocks late in June, giving the team one of the two ties, and hopes for a good playoff showing.
Both teams started the game strong, but two goals by the Shamrocks in the first frame put the pressure on the ‘Tips.
Entering the second period, the Silvertips was unable to capitalize on nearly 10 minutes of powerplay time.
“That was the turning point,” said the Silvertips head coach Gord Henry. “If we would have put a couple in there, we could have changed the momentum. We struggle so hard to score goals.”
A well-timed goal with about five-minutes left in the second by Brennen Getz brought the ‘Tips within one, but the Shamrocks scored a shorthanded goal shortly before the final intermission.
“They (Shamrocks) play a very robotic, paper game. They look in a book and say this is the play we are going to run with,” said Henry. “I don’t teach that, I want my kids to go out there and use (their heads).”
The Rocky View club struggled to get the ball to the net, and was outplayed physically, but was able to hold the score at 3-1 until the second half of the third period, when frustration took over. The Shamrocks tallied four goals in four minutes ending the ‘Tips tough season with a 7-1 loss.
“Their work ethic has been very good, it’s just a lack of understanding and a lack of knowledge, but that comes with experience,” said Henry. “There are a lot of guys who just don’t understand the game. There are in over their heads.”
Henry said that the coaching style he and assistant coach Terry Keogh bring is new to the players.
“A lot of the kids are not used to Terry and I,” said Henry. “They are not used to working out or anything, so they got pushed around and beat up tonight. I want all of them back but I will need a commitment starting in October, at least three or four nights a week.”
Henry hopes that the teams will better prepare the players for a better run next season, hoping for at least a .500 record.
“I am proud of these boys, they really did work hard,” said Henry. “If they are willing to work with me during the winter, we will get them worked out.”
