Chaos set to compete in first-ever provincial championship
By Lethbridge Herald on August 1, 2024.
By Justin Seward
Lethbridge Herald
The Southern Alberta Chaos Tier II Junior B lacrosse team have made significant strides in their third season of existence.
So much so that they had a 10-6 regular season record which earned them a first-round bye and home court advantage in the second round of the Rocky Mountain Lacrosse League Tier II playoffs.
The Chaos won their second round series against the Rockyview Rage in two games, earning them their first Junior B Tier II provincial berth this weekend in St. Albert.
“It’s huge for us,” Jared Capner, Chaos head coach.
“When we first started the Chaos three years ago, we kind of set a five-year plan and provincials was in our four-year plan. So for us to achieve going this year, it allows us to kind of be one year ahead of what we were anticipating.”
Capner praised the team for doing a fantastic job.
“All the guys have bought into the systems and everybody’s (been) dedicated this season, everybody understands what our goal was at the beginning of the season and then we’ve been able to follow through with it,” said Capner.
Capner sees the team’s camaraderie and atmosphere helping the team’s feeling of not being overwhelmed at the tournament.
“We’re doing everything as a team together to kind of maximize that experience for the guys … and ultimately just playing our game is the biggest thing we can do, said Capner.
Capner sees depth being the strength of the team.
No matter the outcome, Capner wants the Chaos to understand what it takes in terms of playing lacrosse this deep into a season.
“With us being so young, it’s going to allow these guys to see this at a younger age (and) to help get us there next year and the year after and the year after and eventually those guys will become our leaders and teach our younger guys,” said Capner.
The Chaos open up provincials tonight at 7 p.m. against the Calgary Wranglers, followed by an 11:30 a.m. game against the Lakeland Heat and a 6:30 p.m. game versus the Lloydminster Xtreme on Saturday.
The bronze medal will played at 11 a.m. and the gold will start at 2 p.m. on Sunday.
Once the Chaos are done at provincials, they will host the MacDonald Junior B Western Championship from Aug. 7-11 in Brooks.
Top invite-only teams from all over Western Canada will compete in that event.
The Chaos are made up of players from all over southern Alberta and call the Taber arena their
home.
A highlight on the roster this year has been the play of Austin Sheen, who led the Cindy Garant Division with 119 points.
Sheen broke the RMLL points and assists record in the process.
Sheen along with teammates Connor Materi and Jett Matisho made up three out of the top six in scoring points.
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