This is a pivotal season for the Okotoks Junior A Raiders.

Coming off a silver medal win last year where they lost a close 7-3 game to the Edmonton Eclipse in the provincial final, the Raiders have a returning core of players expected to push the team over the hump into gold territory.

The Raiders also await a decision at the end of May whether they will be named hosts of the 2011 Minto Cup, Canada’s Junior A lacrosse championship.

The Okotoks Raiders play their first home game May 8 at the Foothills Centennial Arena in Okotoks

“As far as I am concerned, everybody is gunning for the Raiders this year,” said Raiders’ team manager Cindy Dahms. “Our goal this year is to win provincials and go to Minto and to show well at Minto.”

Dahms said the returning core of players will be a huge asset in their playoff run. With all the time spent together, players like her son, Danny, can carry the ball up the floor and know where teammates are without even looking.

“He can look to the left and pass to the right because he knows one of his players is going to be standing there,” said Dahms.

Bruce Codd, head coach of the Raiders, said expectations surrounding the team are extremely high.

“We expect a long run,” said Codd.

Losing assistant captains Casey MacIntyre and Garrett Werschke, who combined for 31 goals in 2009, hurts the Raiders but based on training camp, Codd said he expects Aaron Tackaberry, who led all Raiders rookies in scoring last year with 16 goals and 28 assists, to fill the void.

“He’s finishing the ball very well right now, so hopefully that translates into the season,” said Codd of Tackaberry.

Cam Copeland, who had nine goals and nine assists during limited action last season, benefited from time spent playing up with the Junior A club in 2009. Codd said Copeland is ready for a permanent spot playing on the big club.

“I always had Cam as a guy who was going to be a good offensive player and I still believe that, but what I have been most impressed with is his defensive play,” said Codd. “He has been pressuring guys all over the place.”

Mitch Banister, the Raiders’ best defensive player last year, Barclay Hickey and Nick Hum are also returning in 2010.

“We still have a few cuts to make but for the most part we are pretty much set,” said Codd.

The Raiders expect two of their top scorers to return in Chad Mitchell and Travis Comeau. Mitchell finished with 54 points including 29 goals and Comeau recorded 13 goals to go with his 16 assists. Both players are currently playing National Collegiate Athletics Association (NCAA) lacrosse in the United States.

“That speaks to the talent of those guys,” said Codd.

Codd, a member of the National Lacrosse League Calgary Roughnecks, has had help from fellow Roughnecks Andrew McBride and Mark Scherman at training camp to pass on their expertise to the Raiders. Codd and his teammates have brought drills to practice Dahms had never seen before, which served to liven up dull training camp practices.

“They can explain to the boys why you do something out on the floor because they do it,” said Dahms.

The Raiders play their first home game May 8 at the Foothills Centennial Arena in Okotoks in a rematch of last year’s provincial final at 6:30 p.m.

“We want to try and win the Minto Cup this year, we are not focused on next year,” said Codd.

The Raiders finished the 2009 Rocky Mountain Lacrosse League regular season with a record of 7-4.

For a complete schedule and up-to-date scores see the RMLL league website at http://www.rockymountainlax.com/web/rmll/bins/index.asp

rnorthrop@okotoks.greatwest.ca

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