Marcelo A. Sagüez, Beat Writer Calgary Roughnecks
Lacrosse is Awesome
On Saturday March 31, the Calgary Roughnecks (6-8) would make their first trip to the cost to face the Vancouver Stealth (2-13). The Langley Events Centre was filled with 3,363 faithful Stealth fans in the hopes of seeing their teams playoff chances stay alive. Calgary would halt any chance for a Stealth playoff run and became the third team to clinch a playoff spot. Final Score: Calgary 13—Vancouver 9.
Calgary’s first shot on goal by a cutting Curtis Dickson snuck between the legs of net minder Eric Penny, only to ring off the post and set the pace. Dane Dobbie (3G, 2A) opened the scoring pulling his shot back to the short side of a moving Penny. Vancouver executed a solid first quarter of play, not allowing much space in prime scoring areas on defense. Back to back goals by Vancouver allowed them to take a one goal lead into the end of the first quarter. Score at the end of one: Vancouver 2—Calgary 1.
Calgary – Dobbie
Vancouver – Logan Schuss (2G); Pat Saunders (2G, 2A)
Squeezing through the pads of Penny the ball crossed the goal line, as Calgary tied the game on the Riley Loewen (1G, 1A) goal. The Stealth made the mistake of leaving Dickson (3G, 5A) left unattended in front of the net and made no mistake putting the Roughnecks up by one. The back and forth, low scoring in the frame made for an exciting lacrosse game. The first half had the Roughnecks exploiting on the missed assignment of the Vancouver defense. Leading into the half Vancouver took a late penalty and held a one goal lead (7-6).
Calgary – Loewen (1G, 1A); Dickson; Holden Cattoni (1G, 2A); and Zach Currier (1G)
Vancouver – Corey Small (2G, 2A); Rhys Duch (1G, 1A); Schuss; and Saunders
Starting the third Calgary had a one minute power play and as time expired on the Vancouver penalty, Wes Berg put it by the short side on Penny to tie the game at seven. The Roughnecks should not be taken lightly as they can score a lot of goals with minimal opportunities. Midway through the third, Vancouver got hit with a too many men penalty, but Calgary was unable to beat Penny on the man-up opportunity. Matt Beers of Vancouver would get hit with a checking from behind against Calgary goaltender Christian Del Bianco on the ensuing play drawing the penalty. With seven seconds into the penalty, Dobbie would score putting the Roughnecks up by one. Vancouver began to feel the urgency of what a win could do for them. They would miss the assignment on Dickson with the pick and roll on the right side. He was all alone on at the top of the crease finding a little room over the left shoulder of Penny for the score. A late goal in the third by Dobbie would put the Roughnecks up by two. Score at the end of three: Calgary 11—Vancouver 9.
Calgary – Wes Berg (2G, 1A); Dobbie; and Dickson
Vancouver – Matt Beers (1G, 1A); and Brandon Clelland (1G, 1A)
To start out the fourth, Calgary was happy to eat the shot clock putting the pressure on the Stealth to play comeback lacrosse. Penny has been solid for Vancouver between the pipes but couldn’t stop the Riggers in the final frame. Strong defense by the Roughnecks allowed them to punch their ticket to the post season play. Tyler Digby (1G, 2A) put in the empty netter to secure the victory for the Roughnecks 13-9.
Calgary – Mitch Wilde (1G); Digby
Vancouver – Held scoreless.
NEXT UP:
Calgary (6-8) will host the Buffalo Bandits (8-7) at the Scotiabank Saddledome on ‘Fan appreciation night’ April 14, 7pm. Vancouver (2-13) has the bye-week and will host the Saskatchewan Rush (11-3) at the Langley Events Centre on Friday April 13, 2018.
Marcelo A. Sagüez, Beat Writer Calgary Roughnecks
Lacrosse is Awesome