Marcelo A. Sagüez, Beat Writer Calgary Roughnecks
Lacrosse is Awesome
The Sasktel Centre was packed with 15,075 fans on Saturday, February 24 to watch the Saskatchewan Rush (9-2) host the Calgary Roughnecks (4-6). With a win, Saskatchewan would be the first team this season to punch a ticket to the playoffs. Calgary, winners of three in a row coming in, were looking to gain ground on the second place Colorado Mammoth (5-3) who had a week off. The high energy game was fun to watch, but the quick play did not translate to a high scoring game. It was the defenses who had the spark, proven by the fact that half of the games goals were on the power play. Saskatchewan used runs in the first and third quarters to hold Calgary at ease and leave with the win. Final Score: Calgary-6, Saskatchewan-10.
Saskatchewan scored first 2:53 in on a solo effort from Jeff Shattler (2G, 1A). He gathered a ball in the corner, and with four defenders chasing him, ran to the crease to peat goalie Christian Del Bianco through the legs. On their next possession, Mark Matthews (3G, 4A) was the beneficiary of a text book pick and roll and 3:25 into the game Saskatchewan led 2-0. Saskatchewan net minder Evan Kirk was easily during away outside shots, seeing the ball well until Wesley Berg (4G, 2A) fired one in from outside on the power play. Matthews responded almost immediately, firing another shot up high only 36 seconds later. And with 7:54 remaining, Saskatchewan was up 3-1. Matthew Dinsdale (2G) extended the lead to three with 2:10 remaining, as he caught the pick and roll pass, tiptoeing on the crease. At the end of the first quarter, Saskatchewan led Calgary, 4-1.
Calgary found themselves with an early power play in the second quarter, and Berg threw three quick fakes from the side before under handing a shot past Kirk. Saskatchewan had the next power pay opportunity and Shattler got the lead back to three with his second tally of the half. The next seven minutes would have no gaols, as both goaltenders turned away excellent opportunities. It took another penalty on Saskatchewan for Calgary to beat Kirk. Curtis Dickson (2G) scored the power play goal from the point with 2:57 remaining and followed it up 30 seconds later with another. At halftime, Saskatchewan led Calgary 5-4.
The second half started with a few quick back and forth possessions until Dinsdale snuck a tricky bounce shot into the net 3:59 in. Neither team could score five on five for the rest of the quarter, but Saskatchewan would take advantage of two power play opportunities late. Matthews scored again from the point with 2:06 remaining and Robert Church (1G, 2A) scored a long shot in the final minute. Saskatchewan held Calgary scoreless in the third and extended their lead by three. At the end of the third quarter, Saskatchewan led Calgary 8-4.
Calgary opened the scoring in the fourth as they tried to mount a comeback. Dane Dobbie (5A) fed Berg behind the net, and he jumped over to dunk the ball just one-minute in. But, a penalty gave Saskatchewan another man advantage, and this time Ben McIntosh (1G, 1A) was the beneficiary. Over five minutes later, Berg scored his fourth of the night to bring Calgary back to within three, but they could not find the momentum. Another penalty gave the Rush a man advantage and Jeremy Thompson (1G) scored an empty net power play goal. Saskatchewan completed the night 5-5 on the power play, and Calgary finished 3-3. Final Score: Calgary-6, Saskathewan-10.
Up Next:
The Calgary Roughnecks (4-6) host the Colorado Mammoth (5-3) on Saturday, March 10 at 7:00 PM EST.
The Saskatchewan Rush (9-2) host the Vancouver Stealth (1-10) on Saturday March 3, at 8:30 PM EST.