Marcelo A. Sagüez, Beat Writer Calgary Roughnecks
Lacrosse is Awesome
Feature Image: Photo Credit Bill Wippert
The Calgary Roughnecks (1-3) headed out on the road to the KeyBank Center in Buffalo, NY. Their primary goal was a victory as they had not won a game since their home-opener on December 15, 2017 when they defeated the (0-4) Vancouver Stealth. They wanted to redeem themselves and come off the two-game slide they were in. Unfortunately, it was a rough ride for the visiting Roughnecks as the Buffalo Bandits (2-2) steal the win on their home floor. Final Score: Buffalo 13—Calgary 8.
The Bandits were all business at home and at the 19 second mark, #8 Kevin Brownell (2G) got his name in the record books with his first NLL goal as he drove uncontested down the middle of the Calgary defense. Although the Calgary defense was strong, Buffalo’s transition was a key factor in getting quality scoring opportunities. Each team would notch one unassisted goal. Score at the end of one: Buffalo 5—Calgary 3.
Bandits goals– (8) Brownell; (98) Callum Crawford; (92) Dhane Smith–2; (21) Justin Martin
Roughnecks goals – (3) Dan McRae, (6) Garret McIntosh, (17) Curtis Dickson
As expected Buffalo was prepared for a fast game and adapted their defense to double team Dickson
(4G) each time he was in possession of the ball. The first penalty of the game was assessed to Buffalo hauling down Dickson, but the Roughnecks couldn’t capitalize on the man-up opportunity. At the 10:23 mark, Bandits forward Callum Crawford was hit with a five minute major penalty for elbowing, but again Calgary failed to capitalize. The Roughnecks looked sloppy in the offensive zone on the power-play having little control of the ball. But Buffalo was able to score on the man-down situation with 48 seconds remaining in the first half. Then with only 16 seconds before the half, Dane Dobbie (2G, 1A) snuck in a goal on the power-play over Bandits goalie #27 Alex Buque gaining a little momentum for the Roughnecks as they headed into the locker room. Score at the end of the second: Bandits 7—Roughnecks 4.
Bandits goals – (78) Durston, back-to-back goals at 9:12 and 14:12
Roughnecks goals – (44) Dobbie at 14:44
Coming out of the locker room, Dickson lit up the lamp only 25 seconds in on a quick-stick feed as the five minute major to the Bandits expired. After almost six minutes, the Bandit’s would score on the power-play off successful with a pass behind the net to Durston (hat-trick) catching Frank Scigliano off balance with the ‘dunk’ shot making it 8-5 Buffalo with time running down in the third and keeping them within three. Dickson would not only start the scoring in the third, but he would end it as well with one second remaining giving him the hat-trick.
Bandits goals – (78) Durston; (8) Brownell
Roughnecks goals – (17) Curtis Dickson-2
In the fourth quarter the Roughnecks found themselves digging out of an 11-7 hole, with much of their efforts working against instead of for them. Christian Del Bianco
replaced Scigliano for the sprint to the bench and the sixth-man attack. Dobbie scored his second power-play goal of the contest in much the same manner as his first. Taking advantage of the transition Crawford scored his second of the quarter (hat-trick) with a corkscrew shot beating Del Bianco. Final Score: Buffalo 13—Calgary 8.
Bandits goal – (98) Crawford – 3, (24) Mitch Jones
Roughnecks goals – (17) Dickson, (44) Dobbie
Calgary is tied with Vancouver in the least goals scored with only 36; and they are fourth in goals against with 53. The Roughnecks need to find their rhythm and soon. If they continue down the same path for much longer it’s going to be a even bigger hole to dig out from.
On Saturday January 13, the Roughnecks will host the 2017 NLL Champions the Georgia Swarm (1-3) at the Scotiabank Saddledome, game time 9:00 p.m. EST. The Bandits will play host to the Vancouver Stealth (0-4) at home in the KeyBank Center game time 7:30 p.m. EST.
Marcelo A. Sagüez, Beat Writer Calgary Roughnecks
Lacrosse is Awesome