Marcelo A. Sagüez, Beat Writer Calgary Roughnecks
Lacrosse is Awesome
On Saturday April 8, 2017 close to 11,000 Calgary Roughnecks (7-9) fans were there to witness their team’s third victory in a row defeating the Buffalo Bandits 13-8. With the Vancouver loss to the Rush, this moved the Roughies into the third spot in the west division.
Right off the first face-off Calgary took control of the game making a small change in positioning, moving Curtis Dickson (14) to the point allowing gaps in the Buffalo defense. At 1:43 Dickson (14) and Jeff Shattler (77) only ninety two seconds apart gave the Riggers the early lead 2-0.Tyler Digby (23) would increase the lead when he got the pass from Dickson and snuck it by the shoulder Davide DiRuscio (65) at 9:31. Frankie Scigliano (92) was full of energy and relaxed as he stopped 16 shots for the Roughnecks in the opening quarter. For the first time this 2017 season the Roughnecks held a team scoreless in the first quarter, a feat they achieved three times in 2016.
Shooting from the point Dickson (14), slid one low between the legs of DiRuscio at the top of the second quarter, but Buffalo was quick to respond as Smith (3) put it by Scigliano to get the Bandits on the board. On a highlight reel goal Jeff Shattler (77) scored jumping from behind the net and snuck it over an unsuspecting DiRuscio. The Buffalo challenge flag hit the floor before the Roughies celebration was over. The goal review too longer than usual, but after all the suspense, the officials ruled it as a good goal and the 10,855 fans rocked the Saddledome with the Riggers lead now 5-1. Buffalo’s Blaze Riorden (10) on a pretty passing play scored the quick stick beating Scigliano with less than ten seconds remaining in the second quarter with Calgary up 6-3.
Not helping Buffalo’s situation they quickly ran into penalty trouble giving the Roughnecks a two man power-play to open the fourth quarter. The pace was constant and fast creating opportunity after opportunity for the Roughnecks. Priolo; Jones; and Saunders would add three more for the Bandits, but it would not be enough for a comeback. Final Score: Calgary 13—Buffalo 8.
This weekend the Roughnecks (7-9) will head to Vancouver on Saturday April 15 for a rematch facing the Stealth (6-9) this time on their turf. Buffalo has a double-header weekend, where they’ll have a two game road trip, first in Toronto to face their Eastern Division Rivals the Rock (8-7) on Friday April 14; and then onto Georgia (10-4) to face the Swarm on Saturday April 15, the hottest team in the league.
Marcelo A. Sagüez, Beat Writer Calgary Roughnecks
Lacrosse is Awesome