Chaos compete in Provincials

By Cole Parkinson
Taber Times

After a successful playoff round that resulted in a first-place finish, the Southern Alberta Chaos were hoping to repeat that in Provincials this past weekend. Along with the Chaos, the Calgary Wranglers joined as the other representative from the South Division. The North Division had Lloydminster Xtreme and Sylvan Lake Yetti compete in the tournament. 

The Chaos started their round-robin action on Friday evening when they faced off against their South Division rivals — the Calgary Wranglers. Calgary would jump out to a 3-1 lead in the first before the Chaos rallied with five in the second. Up 6-4 heading into the final frame, the Chaos held off the Wranglers for an 11-8 win in their opening game. Michael Dyck and Devon Robichaud led the way with two goals and three assists each, while Austin Sheen had a hat trick. Connor Materi scored twice and added an assist, Dash Robichaud had a goal and an assist, Bauer Day Rider chipped in with two assists, Jett Matisho scored, and Carter Foote had an assist. 

Game 2 went on Saturday evening when the Chaos lined up against the Yetti. The Chaos would score six goals in the first and cruise to a 13-7 win. Materi and Sheen had a hat trick and three assists each in the game, while Devon Robichaud had two goals and four assists. Other scoring came from Dyck (one goal, two assists), Dash Robichaud (hat trick), Carter Kerkhoff (four assists), Parker Forrest (one goal), and Ty Hanson (one assist). 

With a 2-0 record out of the gate, the Chaos looked to run the table in the round-robin and secure their place in the gold medal game. Standing in their way was the Lloydminster Xtreme, who were also 2-0. The Xtreme would hold a 4-1 record after one and then score four more in the third for an 8-1 win. Devon Robichaud had the lone goal while Jacoby Lalonde had the assist. 

Despite the loss, the Chaos were still able to book their ticket to the final. In a rematch against the Xtreme on Monday afternoon, the Chaos were looking to exact some revenge. After two periods, it was all tied up at 6-6, and the Chaos were in the hunt. But despite a great effort in the final frame, they were outscored 3-2 and lost the game 9-8. Kerkhff had a pair of goals and assists, Devon Robichaud had three assists, Dyck scored twice and added an assist, and Materi scored a hat trick. Other offence came from Sheen (goal, assist), while Matisho, Hunter Skrove, and Evan Rieger all had an assist.