The Junior B lacrosse season is officially underway in Red Deer after a successful opening weekend.
The Red Deer Rampage won their home opener followed by a loss in Calgary to kickstart their 2023 Rocky Mountain Lacrosse League Jr. B Tier I season.
On Friday night at the Dawe Centre in Red Deer, the Rampage knocked off the Mountain View Mavericks in a 9-8 thriller.
The Rampage jumped out to a 4-1 lead after the first period but the Mavericks made up some ground in the middle frame scoring three goals.
Heading into the third the Rampage held a 6-4 lead but managed to outlast Mountain View notching three goals. However, the Mavericks made it interesting by potting four of their own.
Red Deer’s Ryley Dowswell led the way with a hat trick and an assist to complete a four-point night. Traford Couchman and Graeme Simpson also notched two goals each in the effort. Meanwhile, Wyatt Avery and Ryley Sitko both potted a tally.
Red Deer’s Issac Tisdale didn’t score but had a productive night setting up his teammates with four assists.
The following night the Rampage were outmatched by the Calgary Chill 11-9 in a close matchup. This is the first time the two teams have met since the Chill eliminated the Rampage in the playoffs last season.
Both teams picked up where they left off with a high-scoring first period that put the Chill on top 5-3. The Rampage and Chill combined for 10 goals (five each) in the second to give Calgary a 10-8 lead heading into the final frame. Following the hectic period the Rampage was unable to overcome the deficit scoring one goal each to lose the game.
Dowswell had another impressive game contributing a goal and three assists for four points. Issac Tisdale and Spencer Nygaard each added two goals and an assist for three points. Parker Sola, Tayvian Pike, Cooper Lavoie, and Graeme Simpson all notched a goal each.
In Junior B Tier II action the Red Deer Renegades also started the season off right with a 7-6 win against the Parkland Posse at the Dawe Centre.
The Renegades overcame a 3-2 deficit to tie it in the second period and in the third scored four goals to Parkland’s three to capture the win.
Red Deer’s Riley Sitko had a four-point performance scoring three goals and an assist. Meanwhile, Avery Weik, Ryder Graham, Derian Clark, and Drew Barclay all added a goal each.
Up next for the Renegades is a road matchup with the Westlock Rock this Saturday at 2:30 p.m. at the Rotary Spirit Center.
The Rampage will play at home this Friday night at 9 p.m. against the Regina Queen City Kings at the Dawe Centre and again on Sunday versus the Jr. Outlaws at 5:30 p.m.
