The Red Deer TBS Rampage bounced back on Wednesday at the Founders Cup to stay in contention for the Canadian Lacrosse Association junior B Tier I championship in Halifax, N.S.
The Rampage opened the second day of the national championship with a 10-7 win over the Saskatchewan S.W.A.T and followed with an 8-8 tie with the Seneca WarChiefs, one of the pre-tournament favourites. This followed a tough 10-9 loss to the hosts on Tuesday afternoon to open the tournament.
Only the top two teams from the round robin move on to play for gold, there is no playoff.
As much as anything, these games proved they could play with anyone in the country.
“We been telling the guys that we can compete with anybody at the tournament and I think tonight’s effort was important because I think it proves to everyone in the room that we can,” said Rampage head coach Ron Just. “We have a tough path to the gold medal game now and we may need some help from the other teams, but we feel pretty confident going into the remaining games.”
Against the S.W.A.T., Red Deer jumped out to a 5-1 lead in the first period and never looked back, getting three goals from Dawson Reykdal, two goals and four assists from Sean Tyrell, and two goals and two assists from Ryan Beatson.
Lee Spencer added two goals and an assist and Jordy Potter had the other Rampage goal. Rhett Baldwin was solid in net for the win.
The Rampage had a chance to knock off the War Chiefs, carrying an 8-6 lead into the final three minutes, but Seneca goals at 17:16 and 17:41 of the third period levelled the score and it ended as a tie.
Tyrell had another six points for the Rampage, scoring two goals and four assists, while Beatson and Davis Reykdal both added two goals. Reid Swier chipped in with a goal and two assists while Spencer had the Rampage’s other goal.
Jon McMillan played well in net for Red Deer.
The three-point day has created a bit of log jam in the standings. The three-time defending national champion Six Nations are tied with the Manitoba Blizzard at 2-0, the Rampage and War Chiefs are tied at 1-1-1, Nova Scotia is at 1-1-0 with a late game on Wednesday night against the S.W.A.T. who were tied with Quebec at 0-2-0.
“All of those teams look fairly equal in their ability and we’re hoping that they maybe take each other out a little bit so that if we win our remaining games it puts us in a good spot,” said Just.
Red Deer plays Six Nations today at 2 p.m. The games are being streamed live online at www.founderscup2014.ca.