The Rockyview junior B Silvertips lacrosse team have already tied their win totals from a year ago. With 12 games remaining on their schedule the team is looking to surpass its record of 5-15 from a year ago and potentially double it. Kicking off the drive were a pair of wins on May 25 and 27. The Silvertips went into the weekend with a 3-3 record and took on Olds Mavericks on May 25 and the St. Albert Crude on May 27. In the first game against Olds, the Silvertips raced out to a 3-0 lead in the early portion of the first period thanks to two goals from Matthew Dyck and Myles Hamm. The lead didn't last long though, as the Mavericks responded with three goals of their own in just over a minute, which was then quickly answered by another Myles Hamm goal, this time coming on the power play. With 3:23 remaining in the period, Olds would tie the game at four heading into the second quarter. The second quarter was also back and forth as the Mavericks scored four second period goals, while the Silvertips responded with two goals from Nolan Oakey and Matthew McKee, with Rockyview heading into the final frame down 8-7. The third period was all 'Tips as they piled up five third period goals off the backs of two goals from Colby Gulutzan, Logan Ellis as well Nolan Oakey and Myles Hamm who completed their own individual hat tricks while also giving their team a 12-8 victory. The team got a day off before returning to action against the St. Albert Crude. The contest got off to a bit of a rocky start for the home side as St. Albert scored two goals in the first seven minutes of the game, but the team got it back on track with goals by Nolan Oakey and Ryan Gulutzan within a minute and a half span. The Crude scored once again to make it 3-2, which was quickly answered by 'Tips forwards Matthew Dyck and Adam Bartolome putting Rockyview up 4-3 heading into the second frame. The second period should have been titled The Nolan Oakey Show as the rookie forward potted a natural hat trick in the frame, adding to his goal in the first quarter, pushing the home squad's lead to 7-4 including an answering goal from the Crude. Matthew Dyck scored twice and Keelan Degethoff also scored for the Silvertips in the final frame as the 'Tips survived a late push from St. Albert to win their second consecutive game 10-8. Silvertips defender Nolan Morrison, who is one of the two 20-year-olds on the Rockyview roster, said winning those two games over the a pair of tough opponents was important due to the fact that the team has already tied their win totals from a season ago. "It was great to pick up a pair of wins this weekend, it's an important four points which will help us gain some separation in the standings as we near the second half of the season," Morrison said. "It's also important because we've managed to accumulate the same amount of points early in the season that we had all of last year. Tying the amount of wins (from last year) it definitely shows the strength of this year's group, but we're always looking to make a statement and improve our record." Morrison also made comment on the fact he was happy with his game so far this season, but says there's still some things he'd like to improve on in the back half of the year. The Silvertips' veteran also highlighted the play of rookie forward Nolan Oakey, who leads the team in scoring with eight goals and 14 assists for 22 points in eight games. "I'm looking to do more with the remaining portion of the season, starting with focusing on the offensive part of my game and put some more points up on the board," said Morrison. "It's great playing with (Nolan) Oakey, he's the kind of guy that makes a huge difference in those tight games. He's got a good sense of the game and always seems to be in the right spots on the floor ... he has definitely been a huge help this season." The Silvertips have 12 games left on their regular season schedule, two of them coming on June 2 and 3 against the Lethbridge Cudas and the Sherwood Park Titans. "With 12 games remaining (in the season) we have to show up every night ready to fight for a win. This is a league where every game is so close that we can't afford to take a night off," Morrison said of his team's second half of the season. "It starts off this weekend. I think we can expect a close, hard fought battle from both Lethbridge and Sherwood Park ... they're both teams that are hungry for points so we need to show up ready to play." The 'Tips will be in Lethbridge for the June 2 game, but will be in Cochrane the following day against Sherwood Park at Spray Lake Sawmills Family Sports Centre Totem 1 Arena. Opening face-off for the game will go at 3 p.m.
