The Jr. Ladies Silvertips team took an early lead but were unable to recover from a scoring spree by the Okotoks Raiders in the second period.

The June 14 game between the two closely-matched teams ended 10-9 in favour of the Raiders and tightens the race for berths in the provincials.

The Tips owned the first period and went up 5-1. They may have been a little too self-assured in the second, though, and it cost them seven unanswered goals.

They came back strong in the third and outscored the Raiders 4-2 to come within one, but it wasn't enough.

Cassidy O'Neill, Rylynn Hills and Taylor McElroy scored two goals each and singles went to Jaclyn Bayliss, Jaimie Betterton and Zoe Baergen. Emma Arifin and Hills were both awarded two assists and singles went to Kara Kondrat, Cassidy McRae and McElroy

The Tips are at home this Sunday at the Plainsmen Arena in Airdrie against the Calgary Axemen in another important game. There are three Calgary teams vying for the final two spots in the provincials and only three games remain in the Tips regular schedule. Previous matches between the two have been close, with the Tips winning one and tying the other.