Marcelo A. Sagüez, Beat Writer Calgary Roughnecks
Lacrosse is Awesome
The Calgary Roughnecks (3-4) hosted the Vancouver Stealth (3-5) at the Scotiabank Saddledome. For the second week in a row and at home, the Roughnecks would come up short and remain in last place in the NLL Western Division. With continuing goaltending issues, the Roughnecks went down early putting them behind the eight ball, having to fight the clock and Stealth to play catch up. Bench Boss Curt Malawsky has taken full responsibility for the short comings of late from the Roughneck’s performance. Final Score: Vancouver 13—Calgary 10.
On the first shot, Vancouver’s Logan Schuss (18) snipes the opening goal over the glove side shoulder of Frankie Scigliano (92) to deflate the home team advantage. Off the ensuing face-off Holden Cattoni (19) shot overhand to an awaiting Tye Belanger (31) who quickly scooped the rebound save. He had a breaking defenseman down the floor Matt Beers (2) who took advantage of the open floor in front of the net to bounce the second shot and goal for the Stealth. Bench Boss Curt Malawsky sent in Christian Del Bianco (35) to relieve Scigliano (92) for a quick talk chat after allowing two goals in two shots. Roughnecks went on the power play were unable to capitalize on a tight Stealth defense.
Corey Small (15) with the third long shot on the rebound off the back board beat Scigliano low stick side, three goals on five shots. Calgary went on the power play after Scigliano (92) tried to feed a breaking Tyson Bell (94) who was taken down at the feet of Belanger (31), but the Roughies were unable to capitalize on the power-play opportunity.
Vancouver was effectively neutralizing Curtis Dickson (17) on the offense in the first quarter, swinging the momentum for the Stealth. Small (15) took a long shot from the point to beat Scigliano (92) low stick side. Calgary’s starting keeper was showing frustration. Adding to the Stealth lead Jordan Durston (78) streaking across the crease scored high over the shoulder of a struggling Scigliano (92) putting the hurt on the Calgary Roughnecks team. At that point, the Riggers made the decision to send in back up keeper Del Bianco (35) to stand between the pipes.
With the change in keepers Calgary was motivated on the attack, anticipating the long high shot Belanger (31) moved to the top of the crease to cut the angle and in doing so left an open Dickson (17) behind the Vancouver crease, making no mistake Dickson dove from behind scoring to put the Roughnecks on the board with 35.8 seconds on the clock in the first quarter of play. With time still on the clock Vancouver had a chance to respond to this highlight reel goal. Working the ball taking the clock down to its last seconds Schuss (18) put it by on Del Bianco (35) making the score 6-1 at the end of the first.
- Shots on goal 12-13 in favor of the Roughnecks
- Face offs won 5-7 Roughnecks
The pace quickened in the second quarter as the Roughnecks were feeling the pressure, and “The Kid” Del Bianco remained in the game. Calgary went on the power-play almost half way into the quarter. Dickson (17) with a little behind the back pass to Dane Dobbie (44) and thirty eight seconds remaining in the power-play Roughnecks were mounting a comeback 6-2 stealth lead. Then on a Vancouver quick stick the ball snuck by Del Bianco as he came across the crease to stop the shot from Rhys Duch (10). Dickson (17) would find a little space from a pick set by Tyler Digby (23) to bounce it by Belanger (31). At 6:51 the Stealth would challenge the referee call on the goal from Jordan Durston (78). Fortunately for the Riggers, the call was over turned and the goal stood. On the shot from Schuss (18) Del Bianco lost the rebound and “Johnny on the Spot” Corey Small (15) had a wide open net for the goal. As a result of this goal, Del Bianco was taken out of the game and Scigliano headed back in. Small (15) coming off the bench had an open lane to get it by Scigliano (92) five hole. The Stealth were running away with the contest 10-3 as the half was coming to an end. With less than two minutes left in the half Wesley Berg (14) dances with Belanger to score from a play that started on a Jeff Shattler (77) pass interception at center.
- Shots on goal 23-28 Roughnecks
- Face offs 9/16
Opening the second half the pace had the Roughnecks on the power-play advantage, but Calgary was unable to add to their deficit. At 10:02 from Vancouver’s defenseman Ryan Wagner (16) off the feed from Chris O’Dougherty before being crushed by Dan McRae (3) put the Stealth ahead 11-4. On the off speed change up shot from the point Shattler snuck it stick side on Belanger putting the Riggers behind by six.
Not counting the Roughnecks would send Scigliano (92) to the bench for the extra attacker. Dickson (17) drew three defenders leaving Berg (14) open at the crease to bounce it in for the score inching closer 11-6 still in favor of the Stealth. The Roughnecks would notch another on the quick stick feed from Shattler (77) Berg (14) scoring the seventh Calgary goal.
- Shots on goal 41-35 roughnecks
- Face offs 11/20 roughnecks
Roughnecks had a spark to their play in the fourth. At 13:27 Dane Dobbie (44) snuck an underhand short side of Belanger (31) 11-8 Stealth. Vancouver went on the power-play on a holding call against the Roughnecks, but Calgary killed the penalty off. As soon as they were back at even strength Schuss (18) would score again, taking some wind out of the sails comeback with 11:02 remaining in the game. Great ball handling by Dickson (17) through the middle allowed him to squeak it under the glove on the stick side of Belanger (31) bringing the Riggers to within three with nine minutes to play.
A stunned Scigliano would be scored on by Schuss (18) yet again, making the comeback more difficult with under seven minutes to play 13-9 Stealth. The clock was now the enemy of the Roughnecks as the Stealth were happy to run the time down. With the dying minutes ‘The Kid’ Del Bianco is put in for the ‘Del Bianco sprint’ to allow for some trickery as he was to run off to add the extra Roughneck attacker on their possession.
Dobbie (44) off the bench received a pass from McRae (3) scoring across his body to a small gap as Belanger (31) came across to cut the angle. Del Bianco would come out of his crease to lay the hit on Vancouver‘s Matt Beers (2) dislodging the ball for the Roughneck possession. With only 2:30 left in the game, double minor penalties for slashing given to both Calgary and Vancouver. Final Score: Vancouver 13—Calgary 10.
In frustration a scrum continues to the hand shake involving the coaches/players. Will suspension be handed out? The NLL has been very strict on penalties involving fighting; boarding; and high-sticking. We’ll find out Monday what their decision shall be.
Next up for Calgary, they head to Sasktel Centre in Saskatchewan on Saturday February 25 to face the Rush (6-1) who are on a five game winning streak.
Marcelo Alfonso Sagüez, Beat Writer Calgary Roughnecks
Lacrosse is Awesome