Roughnecks Hope to Clinch Play-off Spot Against the Seals 3/30/19

Marcelo A. Sagüez, Correspondent Calgary Roughnecks
Lacrosse is Awesome©

On Saturday March 30, the Roughnecks return to Calgary (game time 9:00 p.m. EST) with a 7-7 record after winning on the road facing former Roughneck Chris Boushy and the Knighthawks at the Blue Cross Arena last weekend.

It was a back and forth for the first half of last Saturday night’s contest. Calgary took a brief lead in the second quarter. Although Rochester tried using the clock by taking a timeout to mount one last attempt to go into the half leading by two, the Riggers were fortunate as they held off the Rochester attempt.

The start of the second half had the Knighthawks jumping out to a two-goal lead 13 seconds into the third. Rochester held the lead until (44) Dane Dobbie scored to close the gap with six minutes and 33 seconds remaining in the third. Closing the third Calgary would mount a comeback on a five-minute power play called on the Knighthawks for an illegal body check. They would head into the fourth with a one goal lead. Score: Calgary 9—Rochester 8.

Although Rochester would score one in the fourth quarter it was not enough to beat the Roughnecks attack. Aside from the usual Roughneck goal scorers, Tyson Bell (1g, 1a); Dan Taylor (1g, 1a); Zack Currier (1G); and Rhys Duch (1g) all had added points. Final Score: Roughnecks 12—Knighthawks 9.

The strong goal tending performance by Christian Del Bianco had him turning away 48 of 57 Knighthawks scoring attempts.

Calgary Head Coach Curt Malawsky had the following to say:

“I thought Chad Cummings had an exceptional game, he got the game ball. He stepped up and played great team defense. He’s the straw that stirs the drink in our dressing room and no one knows about him. Team chemistry, as coaches it’s hard to quantify, it’s so valuable and I thought Cummings had a great game. I thought Tyson Bell was great for us. He had a big goal early and got us going. I thought he played real well. Greg Harnett took that hit for a five-minute penalty and I thought that changed the game. He took the hit for the team and it was a selfless play. Selflessness was a key for us. It was an excellent, excellent job by all of the guys.

The late game rally was massive. It’s a testament to the guys staying the course, being resilient and understanding that we just have to stick to our processes and keep battling. I’ve said from day one that you can throw the records out of the window in the NLL; every game is a new challenge. Every team has got outstanding offence, defence, and goaltending. For our guys, it was just staying with it.”

This weekend, March 30^th Calgary returns to home to host the (8-4) San Diego Seals and former starting goaltender Frankie Scigliano. The Seals are on a four-game winning streak beating the Rush 13-12 on March 22 and this game is critical for the Roughnecks as they try to clinch a play-off spot and hold a one game lead against the Rush.

Calgary net-minder Christian Del Bianco had these words after their recent victory:

“We need to treat every game like it’s playoffs at this point in the season. Every game this time of the year means a little more. Everybody is hustling for playoff spots – who’s in, who’s out. Right now, it’s about testing what you have and proving who the top-dog is going into playoffs.

The Seals share the ball really well on offense and they have a defense that’s clicking. We need to make sure we don’t get into a foot race with them and play our game, not theirs.

I’m watching film, seeing how guys like to shoot and when it comes to game time it’s just stopping the ball – it’s that simple.”

Playing at home tomorrow, Calgary will have to put it all together and add a few options to the goal scoring line up. Coach Malawsky should consider using the transition player to the offense, and not just to carry the ball over center.

The Seals will undoubtedly double team Dane Dobbie and Curtis Dickson when they have possession of the ball. These two will have to recognize the opportunity to spread the ball as the double team begins.