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Mac is back for Raiders' playoff run

Better late than never. Okotoks Raider Kade McCormick missed nearly the entire Rocky Mountain Lacrosse League Jr. A season due to a concussion, but has come through in a big way in the playoffs.

Better late than never.

Okotoks Raider Kade McCormick missed nearly the entire Rocky Mountain Lacrosse League Jr. A season due to a concussion, but has come through in a big way in the playoffs.

He had eights goals in the opening two games, 15-6 and 24-11 victories Saturday and Sunday respectively at the Max Bell Arena, to give the Raiders a 2-0 stranglehold over the Saskatchewan SWAT in the best of five semifinal series.

McCormick nearly missed the entire season after being concussed in the off-season while snowboarding. He played the final four games of the regular season to make him eligible for the playoffs.

“I wanted to make sure I waited enough to be healthy and I’m back at it now,” McCormick said on Sunday. “I knew I was coming back, but I have been working out of town so I was getting engaged, getting back in shape, getting a stick in my hand and getting ready for the playoffs.”

He was happier than the boy who raided the cookie jar with the windfall he had waiting for him when he returned to Okotoks’ line-up.

“I came back to an awesome offence,” said McCormick, in his fourth season, after Game 1. “They move the ball great, I think all five of my goals were from the inside.

“I get the inside, the guys see me and get me the ball. It’s nice.”

Raiders coach Andrew McBride is glad to have the six-foot-two High River product back.

“He’s a freak athlete,” McBride said. “He is the consummate team guy and moves the ball very well.

“I thought he and Dylan Kinnear were our best players in the playoffs last year and they haven’t let off.”

McCormick had eight goals and seven assists in the first two games. Kinnear had seven goals and 11 assists.

McBride said the Raiders have been hitting their stride from the outset of the playoffs.

“We talked about being the team we could be — coming to the rink and getting prepared,” McBride said. “I thought we did a good job in both games of getting the lead early and we just kind of pulled away.”

The Raiders were forced to take on SWAT after missing out on a bye when they lost a first-place tilt with the Calgary Mountaineers.

It might have been the wake-up call they needed.

“Sure it’s nice to get the bye, but for us, bringing in some new guys and having guys banged up all year it was good for us to have these games,” McBride said. “We had an outstanding week of practice, and guys are in playoff mode.”

Are they ever.

They swarmed the SWAT’s nest in dominating both games.

Brett McIntyre also pitched in five goals in the 15-6 victory Saturday. Newcomer Tristan Rai had a pair. Contributing single markers were Jesse Chong, Travis Getz and Cam Wengreniuk.

In Sunday’s two-dozen goal output the Raiders Dylan Kinnear had seven goals. McIntyre contributed four tallies.

McBride expects a different SWAT team for Game 3 on Friday in Saskatoon.

“They are a good team – a lot of kids who played in the Founders Cup last year,” McBride said. “We know they are going to come out with their guns a blazing.”

The Raiders may have to make a stop en route to Saskatoon.

McCormick is presently working in Hanna with Ducks Unlimited. He’s hoping living in the home of Nickelback will help him for Game 3 against Saskatchewan.

“I haven’t arranged that yet, but I sure hope so,” he said with a laugh.

Game 4, if needed, is scheduled for Saskatoon on Saturday.

If a fifth and deciding game is necessary it will be back at the Max Bell Arena on Sunday at 3 p.m.

For more information go to www.rockymountainlax.com

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