Justin Ivey, Co-Editor and NLL Correspondent
Lacrosse is Awesome©
The Vancouver Warriors (0-2) started the season with a tough road trip and dropped their second straight away game in Canada with an 11-9 loss at the hands of the Calgary Roughnecks (1-0) in their season opener at home. The Roughnecks were led by Jesse King (3G, 3A) and a stout Christian Del Bianco (9GA, 40SV) in net to defeat their West division foe. Vancouver kept the game interesting with Mitch Jones (3G, 3A) and Keegan Bal (4G, 2A) doing everything they could to sway the tide, but in the end it wasn’t enough. Final Score: Vancouver Warriors-9, Calgary Roughnecks-11.
Harrison Matsuoka (1G) didn’t keep the home crowd waiting long for the first Riggers goal of the season. After an opening possession came up empty by the Warrior offense, Zach Currier (1G, 2A) found Matsuoka streaking in transition. Just 40 seconds in, the ball was in the back of the net as Matsuoka side stepped a defender before tallying the opening goal. Vancouver answered to even the game just over three minutes later. Kyle Killen (1G, 1A) found Logan Schuss (1G, 1A) coming off the bench and he let loose from up top beating Del Bianco for the first Warrior goal of the night. For over eight minutes, both defenses stood stall. Steve Fryer (11GA, 40SV) matched Del Bianco save for save in net for Vancouver until finally Tanner Cook (2G, 2A) gave Calgary the lead with 2:37 remaining. At the end of the first quarter, Calgary led Vancouver 2-1.
After a slow start to the game, the second quarter was overloaded with action. Goals were scored in bunches as both sides combined for seven. They also totaled 12 penalties as things got heated more than once. Vancouver was able to score the first two goals to take a three-goal lead. Both came on consecutive power plays created by Eli Salama (1A) penalties. Jones scored the first from the top and Bal followed 19 second later with a snipe of his own from outside. With just 2:29 gone in the quarter, the Warriors now led 3-2. The lead lasted all of 14 seconds. Currier picked up the ensuing faceoff and took it himself to the net. The quick answer shifted the momentum as the Roughnecks scored three more unanswered. Newly appointed captain King scored his first of the game on a power play opportunity just over five minutes in. Shane Simpson (1G) scored his first of the season in transition with 7:41 remaining giving the lead back to Calgary. Curtis Manning (1G) found himself in alone in transition and scored only to be pushed into the boards by Owen Barker (1A). An official immediately signaled for a penalty, but that didn’t stop the scrum as both teams gathered in pairs along the end boards. Two from each team would see the box for roughing. Vancouver mustered a bit of fire from the battle and Killen scored with 5:54 remaining to bring the Warriors back within two and ending the Roughneck run. No scores, but a few penalties ended the first half. At halftime, Calgary led Vancouver 6-4.
Vancouver again used the start of a quarter to rally. In the opening minutes of the third, Bal scored on a man up opportunity stemming from a five-minute major to end the half on Calgary. Jones tied the game 6-6 with a goal 6:14 in on a great cut and feed from Riley Loewen (2A). Again, the Roughnecks broke the tie quickly. Cook picked up a fumbled ball in the offense zone and just picked the far top corner of the net 42 seconds later. Bal answered with his hat trick goal 59 seconds after that, and the game was tied 7-7. For the third time, the tie was broken quickly. This time King buried a shot on the power play. The third quarter would end with Calgary leading Vancouver 8-7.
The fourth quarter continued to be back and forth as Vancouver itched for a way to take the lead. 1:17 into the fourth quarter Bal again tied the game. But a Haiden Dickson (1G) power play goal gave the lead back to Calgary with 10:19 remaining. Vancouver again fought back and tied the game with Adam Charalambides (1G, 3A) lone goal of the game on the power play. The Warriors just couldn’t get that next goal though. Eventually Dan Taylor (1G) scored with 6:11 left before King put the nail in the coffin with his hat trick goal and 2:50 left on the clock. Final Score: Vancouver Warriors-9, Calgary Roughnecks-11.
Up Next:
The Vancouver Warriors (0-2) host the Calgary Roughnecks (1-0) on Friday, December 16 at 10:00 PM EST.