Roughnecks Come Out Strong Early Against Seals & Lose All Momentum In the Second 1/30/22

Marcelo A. Sagüez, Correspondent Calgary Roughnecks
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Featured Image Photo Credit: Mike McGinnis

After six weeks off, the Calgary Roughnecks (1-3) were finally back on the floor on Saturday January 29, 2022 and would meet their nemesis, the San Diego Seals (5-1) for the second time this season after having lost to them on December 17, 2021 by the score of 17-12. There is no love lost between these two when it comes to climbing the standings in the Western division and last night’s contest would be no different. Although the Riggers would start out strong in the first, they would be shut out in the fourth with the Seals scoring four unanswered goals, edging the Roughnecks. Final Score: Seals 13—Roughnecks 10.

In Roughnecks fashion they would open the scoring early into the game on the power- play and would chase the Seals net-minder off the floor. The Seals received a bench minor for delay of game and Zach Herreweyers capitalized on the opportunity, finishing the night with one goal and three assists. Calgary moved the ball well, capitalizing on their opportunities. Kyle Waters (2g) would tally his first NLL career goal; Haiden Dickson (1g, 1a) notched a tally; Curtis Dickson (2g, 1a) put up two; and Reese Callies (1g) closed out the frame. The Seals notched a power-play tally from Austin Staats (3g, 6a); and another goal from Tor Reinholdt (1g, 1a). Score at the end of one: Roughnecks 6—Seals 2.

The second saw a change in momentum in favor of the Seals. They would score four unanswered goals in the first six minutes to tie it up at 6 apiece. Zack Greer (2g, 1a) got it started early on, scoring his first of two; with Tre LeClaire (2g, 1a) notching back-to-back tallies at the 1:53 and 5:22 marks; and Austin Staats second goal tied it up at 6:05 in what turned out to be an impressive nine-point game (3g, 6a). The Roughnecks would halt the run and go on one of their own. With goals from Jesse King (2g, 1a); another from Waters; and the final from Calgary coming from Marshall King (1g, 2a) putting them up 9-6 with 3:09 left in the half. But the Seals notched another two before the buzzer rang. Greer found the net once again; with teammate Jeremy Noble (1g, 6a) getting on the board with 1:08 left on the clock. The cohesiveness they had in the first seemed to dissipate in the second and they were struggling. Heading into the halftime break the lead had been cut to one. Roughnecks 9—Seals 8.

A one goal output by both teams in the third had Calgary up by one, and that J. King at the 1:31 mark goal would be the end of the scoring for the Roughnecks on the night. Wes Berg (2g, 3a) would notch the only Seals tally on a power-play marker at the 10:51 mark. The net-minders held strong for a very dull quarter for the fans. Score at the end of three: Roughnecks 10—Seals 9.

The Roughnecks could not muster a goal in the fourth although they had 10 shots on goal. The Seals would tally four goals on nine shots. Staats would score his hat-trick goal early on at the 55 second mark. Graydon Bradley (1g) would get on the board; Berg would score his second; and to close out the scoring with 7:05 left on the ticker was none other than former Roughneck Dane Dobbie (1g, 2a). That was it for scoring on the night. Final Score: Seals 13—Roughnecks 10.

Shots on net were close San Diego 41, Calgary 40. It came down to those little openings big enough to squeeze a ball through. Penalties were an indication of the rivalry of these two teams, Calgary with 24 and Seals with 22.

Tyler Burton ended his night with 11-27 on the face-off and two minutes for cross checking. Team captain Curtis Dickson was limited to 2g, 1a along with Jesse King. Kyle Waters 2g, Haiden Dickson 1g, 1a, Marshall King 1g, 2a. Reece Callies 1g, Tanner Cook 1g, 2a and Zach Herreweyers 1g, 1a.

Goaltender Christian Del Bianco faced 40 shots on the night.

NEXT UP:

The Calgary Roughnecks (1-3) continue their road trip heading to Denver to face the Colorado Mammoth (4-1) on Saturday February 5^th at 9:00 p.m. EST. Fans in the USA can catch the action on ESPN+. Fans in Canada can watch the game on TSN.ca or the TSN app.

The San Diego Seals (5-1) will head out on the road to face the Panther City Lacrosse Club (1-5) on Saturday February 12^th at 8:30 p.m. EST. Fans in the USA can catch the action on ESPN+. Fans in Canada can watch the game on TSN.ca or the TSN app.