Records fall in Tips best regular season ever

Heading into the playoffs, the Rockyview Silvertips have enjoyed their best-ever regular season.

Head coach Tyler Waycott rattles off just how successful it has been.

"For the first time, we finished first in our division, we set single-season records for wins, regular-season points and goals, and you have the accomplishment of Nolan Oakey of breaking the single-season points record for our organization, so it's a great job by our group."

"We set some pretty large goals at the beginning of the season as a group and to achieve all of those is huge for all of us."

Oakey finished the season with 52 goals and 55 assists for 107 points in 16 games. He gives plenty of credit to his teammates for helping him break the record of 93 points set by Joel Henry in 2006.

"It's pretty special, but I can't say enough about my teammates," says Oakey, who's in his final year of junior lacrosse. "I wouldn't be even close to that without the guys I've been playing with. It's all a credit to them as well."

Even with the success in the regular season, Waycott says they won't be taking their competition lightly in the playoffs. He says there's been plenty of parity in the league this season.

"Whomever we see at that time of year it's going to be a tough go. So, we're preparing for a tough go and we are also proud and excited to earn that bye week and get that much-needed rest going into the playoffs."

The Tips will be playing the winner of the Calgary Chill-Red Deer Rampage series in the divisional final. It will be a best of three series being played from July 22 to 24.

The winner of the divisional title advances to the Larry Bishop Memorial Cup being hosted by Okotoks from July 29 to Aug. 1.

The Rockyview Silvertips took time to recognize their graduating players over the last few seasons in their final regular-season game on July 9. From left, back row, Josh Halcro, Noah Simonelli, Adam Bartolome, Tyson Hribnak, Tanner Lam, Aiden Pincombe, Sean Finnigan; front row, Gord Uddin, Noah Deitz, Patrick Morrow, and Nolan Oakey. Missing are Logan Ellis and Dylan Neis. (Photo/Rockyview Silvertips)

Graduating players recognized

The Rockyview Silvertips continued its tradition of recognizing graduating players at their last regular game of the season, July 9.

It's been a few seasons since they've had the opportunity to do it, but not forgotten were the players who aged out the two seasons previous.

Counting those who are in their final season with the Silvertips, recognized were Josh Halcro, Noah Simonelli, Adam Bartolome, Tyson Hribnak, Tanner Lam, Aiden Pincombe, Sean Finnigan, Gord Uddin, Noah Deitz, Patrick Morrow, Nolan Oakey, Logan Ellis, and Dyan Neis.