Revenge 4 Renegades 2
There was more than a little passing interest in the Rocky Mountain Junior B Tier II Lacrosse League matchup at the Kinex Tuesday.
It was the first meeting of the season between the two Red Deer teams — the Revenge and Renegades.
The Revenge got the early upper hand in the rivalry, recording a 4-2 victory.
“I was happy with the way it turned out, it was a good win for us,” said Revenge head coach Ron Just, who opened the season Sunday with a 6-5 loss in Westlock.
“We definitely went into the first week hoping to get some points. It would have been nice to at least tied the first game, but the two points tonight feels good.”
The Revenge, much like the Renegades, is a young team with only 10 veterans on their 24-man roster.
“Both teams are young as we had a lot of graduating midgets move up this year,” added Just. “Because of that we’re smaller than a lot of the other teams and definitely more inexperienced.”
But he liked what he sees.
“The Red Deer Minor Lacrosse Association is one of the best in the province and there’s a lot of skill coming up. The guys play with a lot of desire and effort, they just need to get used to playing at the junior level.”
Just believes the younger players need to get used to the intensity of the game as well running the offence.
“They need to be moving on offence. In midget it’s more stationary. Here you have to create everything and keep moving without the ball. Plus you have to set picks to create openings.”
And it’s not just on the offensive side where the younger players need experience.
“Early in the season we’ll definitely count on our veteran players on defence, at least until the younger guys get used to the motion and the picks,” added Just, who will count on veterans Mike Sargeant and Justin Connolly to anchor the defence.
The Revenge also appear to be strong in goal with returnee Adam Friesen and rookie Garrett Price, who was outstanding Tuesday.
“We’ll be good in goal,” said Just. “Adam was solid in our first game and Price has excellent reactions and moves the ball well.”
Other veterans on the roster include Taylor Campbell, Sean Doyle, Nathanael Greter, Tayte Hansen, Brodie Lutz, Jarrik Morissette and David Westwood.
Doyle scored once Tuesday along with rookies Brock Forbes, Skylar Sargeant and Pearce Just. Scott Ebbert and Jordan Brassard replied for the Renegades.
The teams were tied 2-2 after the first period with the Revenge leading 3-2 after two periods.
Other rookies on the Revenge are Colton Bell, Adam Boven, Mitchell Giele, Braeden Krips, Dayton Larson, Milo Mancuso, Daris Podgurski, Barrett Schultz, James Smith and Ryan Svederus.
Ron Just is in his first season with the Revenge, but is no stranger to the junior ranks. He co-coached the Renegades three years ago and was an assistant coach with the Junior B Tier I Rampage two years ago.
• Just was an assistant coach with the provincial midget AA hockey champion Red Deer Elks . . . The Renegades return to action Saturday at 7:30 p.m. at the Kinex when they host the Edmonton Blues while the Revenge are on the road Sunday against the Blues . . . The Red Deer Rage senior women’s team sees their first action Saturday when they host the Sherwood Park Titans at 4:30 p.m. at the Kinex . . . The Rampage hosts the Fort Saskatchewan Rebels Sunday at 4:30 p.m. at the Kinex.
drode@www.reddeeradvocate.com