Rockyview Silvertips Lacrosse

June 21, 2016

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The Rockyview Silvertips junior B Tier 1 mens team is seeking a playoff berth.

The 5-10 record team has exited the bottom of the Rocky Mountain Lacrosse League south division standings, where they have rested since 2009 (as far back as website records go), and are holding tight to the fourth and final playoff spot.

“It’s not going to be easy on the boys,” said head coach Joel Henry. “Every game from here out is almost like a playoff game...a do or die situation.”

The team has five games remaining in the regular season, and Henry aims to win at least three.

dd News Story here

Thursday, June 9, 2016

In his second year with the Rockyview Silvertips, Airdrie’s Michael Halladay has solidified himself as one of the most reliable and dangerous offensive threats on the team.

The Silvertips have yet to reach the midway point of the 2016 Rocky Mountain Lacrosse League (RMLL) season, but Halladay has already surpassed his season totals from his rookie campaign and shows no signs of letting up.

April 12, 2016

AThe Rockyview Silvertips will return to the field later this month.The junior B Tier 1 Rocky Mountain Lacrosse League team starts off with four road games, with the first scheduled for April 30 in Edmonton versus the Warriors and the second to take place on May 1 versus the Fort Saskatchewan Rebels.Silvertips head coach Joel Henry is optimistic his team can make playoffs and overshadow last year’s dismal 3-17-0 record.“We’re looking a lot better than last year so far,” said Henry. “[I] hope to make playoffs with them.”With many returnees from last season’s rookie-heavy squad, the team has the benefit of experience this season.Henry said he sees no problem in earning a .500 record in the 20-game season to get close to a playoff spot in the south division.As of early April the Silvertips have a 35-man protected list and a 25-man active roster.Some changes in the roster will happen before the beginning of the season as some players are in junior A camps.Henry said players to watch out for include Myles Moffat, Mike Halladay, Brett Goodman, Nolan Morrison, Paulo Falsy, Ben Kilbride and Matt Brown.The Silvertips’ home opener will be against the Okotoks Marauders, May 12 at 9 p.m. at the Plainsmen Arena. dd News Story here

By Frank Dabbs, Didsbury Review February 16, 2016

Slight and unassuming Boedy Shields, 16, could pass for the leading chess player at the Didsbury High School but he is an emerging box lacrosse star.

Shields has just been drafted to the Tier 1 Junior B Rockyview Silvertips in the Calgary Roughneck organization.

He also plays field lacrosse with the Mustang Star field lacrosse team. Junior-level box lacrosse is played in the spring and the Mustang field lacrosse program operates in the summer, so the two commitments mesh.

And field lacrosse is the game played in American colleges, so the Mustang program will give Shields the opportunity to play exhibition games and be scouted in the U.S.

The next steps he aspires to are playing for the Junior A Calgary Mountaineers, and winning a scholarship to an American university to play on a National Collegiate Athletic Association team and study sports management.

“Lacrosse at this level requires sacrifice,” Shields said in a Feb. 10 interview. “It can be tough to fit in school, practice and games.

The Silvertips practise and play in the Spray Lakes Sawmills Family Sports centre in Cochrane; the practices are at 10 p.m. and he drives home and does his school work afterward – so for at least one night during the week, he doesn’t get much sleep. During the season there are as many as four games a week.

Lacrosse is a rough, tough game. The only rule is no hits to the head.

The sole protective equipment is a helmet and face guard, chest protector and arm-length pads.

Shields has been playing lacrosse since he was six, and has had two concussions (and no broken bones) but he uses his speed and agility to play equally against bigger, meaner young men.

“I’m not afraid to go where it is dirty and I know how to protect myself,” he said.

Shields said he wants always to be the hardest working player out there.

He says his Silvertip coach Joel Henry, who played professionally for the Calgary Roughnecks in the National Lacrosse League teaches that, “You don’t play lacrosse because you want to be rich; you play because you love lacrosse.”

Air 106 - Monday, May 18, 2015, Kevin Wallace

Rockyview Silvertips in earlier game vs. Chill. Photo courtesy: Natalie Flaman

The Rockyview Silvertips Jr B lacrosse team are looking for the luck to be on their side as they take on the Calgary Shamrocks in a home and home series this week. The Silvertips face off this Thursday night at 9:00 at Plainsmen arena and then it heads into Calgary for an afternoon game at 3:30 at the Stu Peppard arena.  Both teams have young squads and similar records.  The Tips sit with a 1-5 record with the Shamrocks at 1-4.  Assistant Manager, Derek Flaman likes the Silvertips chances "If these guys can get in the double digits, 12 goals, they're gonna get a chance to win. If we can come out with two wins we'll be in fourth spot in the league and that will again be a huge boost for these young guys."

The Silvertips notched their first win on their belts as they redeemed themselves against the Okotoks Maurauders back on Saturday May 9 in Cochrane.  The Maurauders beat them in a close one the previous week with an 11-8 loss so the win helped the young squad gain some confidence.  They then went toe to toe versus one of the toughest, most experienced team in the league - The Calgary Mounties on Thursday May 14. After being down 4-0 early in the first period the Silvertips clawed their way back to tie the game at 6 late in the second.  The Mounties ended up with a late surge in the third to come away with the 12-8 win. 

Assistant Manager Derek Flaman says "They're realizing that they can compete against these teams. Now having played that well against the Mounties again it should be a huge confidence booster for these guys.  The efforts been there and if they keep playing like this they're gonna get some more wins."

One of the teams strengths this year is the power play with 5 of their 8 goals in the game versus the Mounties coming on the pp.

Cochrane Times - Saturday, May 16, 2015, Britton Ledingham

The Rockyview Silvertips are 1-5 and are going toe-to-toe with some of the league’s best.

The ’Tips fell 12-8 to the Calgary Mountaineers (Mounties) in Rocky Mountain Lacrosse League Junior B Tier 1 action at the Plainsmen Arena, May 14.

Head coach Joel Henry said he knew the 3-1 Mounties would be tough to beat because they are preparing to host the junior B national championships this summer.

“That game could have very easily gone our way,” said Henry.

The locals were down 5-1 early in the first period and rallied to 5-4 by the end of 20 minutes. Both teams scored two goals in the second period to enter the final frame down 7-6.

Henry said winning will come with experience.

“They’ve got to realize when you’ve got a team on the run to take it to them,” said Henry, acknowledging there was no quit in his players.

The rookie coach is learning patience.

“The boys are going to war for us…They’re doing everything we’re asking them, it just takes time,” he said.

Silvertips assistant manager Derek Flaman is optimistic about the club.

“The four years that I’ve been following the Silvertips, this is by far the best group of kids,” said Flaman. “I almost get goosebumps because it’s cool to be helping out with this.”

Flaman is thankful for coach Joel Henry coming in with his professional National Lacrosse League experience.

“Having him come in…and step up for the team has been the best thing that has happened for the organization,” he said.

So far, the Silvertips have averaged 6.33 goals per-game this season, while last year they averaged 5.55.

They averaged over 14 goals against per match last season and have lowered that number to under 11 this season.

“Our defence, our goaltending has been unreal,” said Flaman, tipping his hat to goalie Michael Benn’s performance on the night.

Flaman noted goal scoring was shared around the roster on the night, with five goals on the powerplay, two even strength and one short handed.

Flaman said the crowd support is making running the team easier than past years. He said the 50/50 draw of $100 on May 14, $160 in Cochrane the week before were higher than usual.

With admission at $5 each, the money helps cover the costs of about $450 to host a home game.

“We hope to get enough at the gate and the 50/50 to pay for the floor time and the officials,” said Flaman, noting they’ve done better than that in the past two home games.

“Hopefully we can put a few more ‘Ws’ in the column.”

Airdrie Echo - Tuesday May 12, 2015, Britton Ledingham

The Rockyview Silvertips collected their first win of the Rocky Mountain Lacrosse League season last weekend.

Five games into the year, the Junior B Tier 1 team beat the Okotoks Marauders 11-10, May 9 in Cochrane.

Head coach Joel Henry was pleased with his team, who led in all three periods against a team they lost by a margin of 11-8 to the previous week.

“They came to play,” said Henry. “Our offence finally was clicking and doing what it took to get to the areas where you score goals.”

Henry said the Silvertips could have spread the lead even further with the way they were dominating.

“They really outplayed them,” he said. “The boys know they can play with these guys in this league and that just boosts their confidence and hopefully they can carry that over.”

The 1-4 ’Tips next host the Calgary Mountaineers (Mounties) at the Plainsmen Arena at 9 p.m., May 14.

Henry said the 2-1 Mounties will be tough to beat, as they are readying to host the junior B national championships this August.

“It will be a huge test for us to see how they can respond after that game,” said Henry, adding the league is tight and whatever team shows up to compete will win. 

Air 106 - Monday, 04 May 2015, Derek Craddoc

It wasn't the result that the Rockyview Silvertips were hoping for, but it just was another challenge to overcome in the 2015 season. The Junior B Lacrosse team lost both matches last weekend by a combined score of 18-11. Their first stop was the Pason Centennial arena in Okotoks to play the Marauders on Friday. Despite a gutsy effort from the young Silvertips, the Marauders came out on top with 11-8 victory. There wasn't much time for rest as the team travelled 3 hours north to face the Sherwood Park Titans. It was a tight and defensive match that almost swung the Silvertips way. Unfortunately, the Titans held their ground in the homestretch winning the game by a score of 7-3. The results may be disheartening to the Silvertips players but team manager Karry Vockeroth says they boys are heading in the right direction. "We're competing well...We look better than we have in several years," said Vockeroth who pointed out that the team is among the youngest in the league and will take time to gel. Vockeroth also wanted to give praise to the team who, despite being outscored have really held their own. "Our goaltending and our defense are outstanding, we're just struggling a bit to find the net right now but it's going to come." Former National League Lacrosse player is on hand to coach these youngsters this season and Vockeroth says there's no one better to take the job. He says Henry has the passion and the expereince to relate to these players and help them through as the year goes on. The Silvertips will finally have a home game after travelling the last two weekends. It's a chance for redemption as the team plays the Okotoks Marauders at the Spray Lakes Sawmills Family Sports Centre on Saturday night. Game time is 7:30.

AIR 106 - Monday, 27 April 2015, By Bradley Jone

The Rockyview Silvertips kicked off their Rocky Mountain Lacrosse League (RMLL) season over the weekend. Opening up the year with back to back losses, the Silvertips will be looking to improve on their 1-19 record from last year.

The Junior B Tier 1 lacrosse team fell 14-5 to the Calgary Chill on Friday before travelling to Edmonton on Sunday for a matchup with the Warriors. Despite a strong defensive effort, the Silvertips dropped their second game of the regular season 11-3.

"The scores of the game don't really reflect how they went, our boys competed pretty good," said Silvertips Head Coach Joel Henry.

"The majority of our team is 16 to 17 years old going against guys that are 20, 21 it's a big task for them."

With 14 new players on the team this year and only 6 returning, the Silvertips have a steep mountain to climb in the RMLL. "We might not have the greatest record this year but who knows," added Henry.

"We're starting to come together as a team and just taking it game by game pretty much, as long as they keep improving game by game, we've done something right and we're going in the right direction." Henry is hoping to build a new culture with the Silvertips; a never-give-up attitude that will resonate throughout the dressing room and on the court.

"Don't ever stop, don't quit, keep moving and keep going and good tings will start to happen for this team." The Silvertips continue their regular season schedule on the road this weekend, first with a matchup against the Okotoks Marauders on Friday before travelling to Sherwood Park on Saturday to take on the Titans.

Bradley Jones airdrienews@goldenwestradio.com

Cochrane Eagle - Thursday, Apr 23, 2015, By Brendan Nagle

The Rockyview Silvertips are in for a rough ride, but there’s nothing easy about lacrosse.

The Rocky Mountain Lacrosse League Jr. B Tier 1 team, featuring players from around the Rocky View area including Cochrane and Airdrie, begins the season April 24 in Calgary against the Chill.

After going winless in four exhibition games, Silvertips head coach Joel Henry admitted the team has work to do despite a rigorous off-season training campaign.

“Our defence is pretty good, room for improvement, obviously,” Henry said. “We have to adjust, there will be some certain little things we can fix.”

At the April 12 exhibition tournament in Calgary, Silvertips’ defensive unit was busy at its end of the floor. Rockyview didn’t get as many quality offensive opportunities as Henry would have liked. Silvertips were strong challenging for loose balls, but Rockyview’s opposition in four exhibition games (Calgary Shamrocks, Okotoks Marauders, Calgary Jr. Mounties, Calgary Chill) disrupted Rockyview’s offensive flow. With offensive contributors like Devin Knittle and Rob Fonnyadt gone, Silvertips have big shoes to fill on offence.

But the defence is in good shape.

“We’re just getting started right now. We’re still building the team and getting ready for the season,” said Silvertips second-year defenceman Nolan Morrison. “Feeling all right so far. We just have to take it as it comes. Adjust to it.”

Henry shares Morrison’s assessment, a positive sign the team’s players and its coach are on the same page.

“I’ll talk to the D about some things and we’ll be all good,” Henry offered. “We’re going to run our offence a lot better, get them to help our defence a lot more.”

Part of the adjustments could include moving experienced defenders like Morrison, 17, to the offensive unit on occasion. Morrison was spotted on the offensive unit for several offensive sets during the April 12 exhibition tourney.

“Taking a look at getting me up there a little bit more than last year,” Morrison enthused. “The team is really progressing. I think we should be all right.”

But it won’t come easily.

“We were 1-19 last year, so we’re not expecting to be Canadian champions over night here,” Henry admitted. “It’s a slow process.”

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AIR 106 - Thursday, 23 April 2015, By Derek Craddock

Finally, Rockyview's Junior B Lacrosse team will be hitting the floor for the 2015 season.

The Silvertips are on the road Friday as they battle against the Calgary Chill at the Brentwood Rec Centre.

Rockyview is hoping to start the new campaign on a winning note and erase any memory of the 2014 season. The team won just one game that year, that coming against the Okotoks Marauders last May. It's been quite a while since the team last played, with their only preseason action happening on April 12th at Max Bell in Calgary. That's where the Silvertips played four games in one day against tough opponents like the Shamrocks, Marauders, Jr. Mounties and the Chill.

Although their offense struggled in that one day event, the defense looked to carry some momentum, which is something the team will need as they're on the road for the first four games of the season. The team won't play their first home match until May 9th against Okotoks. Game time for the Silvertips and Chill is at 8 o clock Friday night.

Derek Craddock, Airdrienews@goldenwestradio.com