Chaos take on Rockyview Rage in round one

By Cole Parkinson
Taber Times

After a great regular season where they went 10-6, the Southern Alberta Chaos were busy with their first round of playoffs this past weekend. After finishing second in the Rocky Mountain Lacrosse League’s Tier II South Division, the Chaos had a first-round bye as they awaited their opponent. After the Rockyview Rage took care of the Calgary Axeman with a 2-0 sweep in the first round, the Chaos were waiting.

In Game 1 on July 27 at the Centennial Regional Arena in Brooks, the Chaos showed no signs of rust as they jumped out to a 4-1 lead in the first and didn’t stop there as they cruised to a 14-5 win. Connor Materi led the way with a dominant three-goal and six-assist performance while Austin Sheen had a great game scoring five goals and three assists. Ty Hanson had a goal and six assists, Michael Dyck had three goals and two assists, Ty Hynes and Jett Matisho each had two assists, Hael Maxwell-Lyster and Ryder Douglas each had a single goal, and Asher Pancoast, Hunter Skrove, and Jaxon Buscholl each chipped in with an assist.

Looking to sweep the Rage in the best-of-three series, the two teams were back at it the following day. Thanks to another great first period, the Chaos pushed five across in the first followed by four in the second and three in the third — which translated to a 12-9 win and advancing the team to the final. Sheen was unstoppable in the game, putting up two goals and eight assists. Dyck had another strong game with two goals and four assists, Hynes had three goals and three assists, Materi notched another hat trick and an assist, Hanson and Skrove had a goal and an assist each, and Hael and Ryal Maxwell-Lyster and Carter Kerkhoff each put up an assist.

Awaiting in the final for the Chaos is the Calgary Wranglers who finished first in the division with a 14-2 record. They swept the Strathmore Venom in two straight games in the semi-final round with 12-9 and 8-3 victories. No game times have been set for the final round as of Monday evening.