The three Rockyview lacrosse teams were busy on the weekend of May 5 and 6 as the junior Silvertips, Rage and lady Silvertips all had league games. The 1-1 Silvertips took to the road for their third, fourth and fifth consecutive road games of the season when they were in Regina to take on the Saskatchewan Swat on May 5 and 6. The weekend started off with a double header on Saturday, as the 'Tips won the first game 13-6 and lost the second of two 7-6 later in the evening. The first game was controlled mostly by Rockyview, as Ryan and Colby Gulutzan combined for three goals while Christian Scott also chipped in with an even strength marker in the first period to take an early 4-1 lead that the team never relinquished. Both teams scored four goals each in the second stanza, stretching the Silvertips lead to 8-4, with goals coming from Nolan Morrison, Patrick Morrow and two from 2018 draftee Nolan Oakey, who finished the game with four points. Rockyview then pumped in five third period goals to Saskatchewan's one, which gave the game its final score. Colby Gulutzan led the way offensively for the Silvertips, putting up two goals and four assists for six points in the game, while both Noah Oakey and Josh Halcro finished the game with four points. The second game in a grueling day didn't go as smoothly for the Silvertips as they were stymied by the Swat defence all night long. Saskatchewan held a 4-3 advantage after a busy first period, with the Silvertips getting goals from Nathan and Tanner Lam as well as Carson Gron. The team also got goals from Noah Oakey, Dylan Neis and Josh Halcro and the remainder of the game was back and forth, but Saskatchewan prevailed in the end scoring the go ahead goal with just under five minutes remaining in the game. The rubber match contest took place a day later, with the third and final game also turning out to be a very close battle between two evenly matched clubs. The game started out with Halcro scoring the game's first goal for the visitors, but it was quickly answered by a Saskatchewan goal to make it 1-1 after the first period. Colby Gulutzan would score his first of two goals in the second frame but the Swat tallied two goals of their own, bumping them into the lead with a 3-2 score heading into a crucial third period. Gulutzan scored his second goal of the game to knot the score at three, but was once again answered by a relentless Saskatchewan squad. With just over two minutes to go in the contest, Noah Oakey made his presence felt once more in the weekend, tying the game and sending it to overtime which was ended by teammate Patrick Morrow giving the Silvertips a 5-4 victory and advancing the 'Tips record to 3-2 on the season. "Three games in a weekend is tough, so pulling out a win in the last one and two out of three was huge for us with all of us feeling a bit beat up," said forward Colby Gulutzan. "I felt like we were back in minor playing in a tournament with how many games we had. Then you add in the bus trip and it really brings the team together. Being with the team all weekend, especially with the (bus) ride being so long, it really makes a difference and brings us together. I think that showed over the course of the weekend." The first place Silvertips will now return home to Airdrie from their home opener on May 11 against the Calgary Chill. The team will be in Cochrane on May 25 when they host the Olds Mavericks. In the Tier 2 division, the Rockyview Junior B Rage continued their season against the Medicine Hat Sun Devils, losing the game 15-5 which pushes the newly accepted expansion team to 1-5 on the season. The boys will play their first home games of the campaign on May 11 in Cochrane and May 13 in Airdrie. As for the Lady Silvertips, they began their season on April 27 and 28, losing to both the Okotoks Raiders 15-5 as well as 11-3 to the Capitol Region Saints, the silver medal winning squad from last season. The 'Tips were able to bounce back from those defeats to crush the Calgary Axemen 21-2 on May 6. The team's next games will be May 12 against the Sherwood Park Titans and May 14 against the Calgary Cougars with both games taking place in Airdrie. For more information on all three Rockyview junior teams, those interested can visit www.rockymountainlax.com
