Roughnecks Fall to Swarm
Published on January 20, 2006 under National Lacrosse League (NLL)
Calgary Roughnecks News Release
The Roughnecks were visited by the ghost of goaltenders past on Friday night as the Minnesota Swarm's starting goalie, Nick Patterson put on a masterful performance to steal a 12-8 victory for the second-year franchise.
Despite frightful weather outside, 10,637 made it into the Pengrowth Saddledome to watch their team get stoned at almost every turn by Patterson, who pulled off a similar game last time he faced the Roughnecks as a rookie in 2003.
The game started off the same as last week with the Riggers giving up the first goal of the game to Nolan Heavenor at 1:16 of the first quarter. Jason Wulder would knot the score at one at 7:23, but the home squad would be down 4-2 at the end of the first frame.
The Roughnecks would pull starting goalie, Curtis Palidwor midway through the second frame for back-up, Andrew Leyshon; however Palidwor was soon back in the Riggers' goal and stood tall on the 42 shots he faced, many of them open looks inside.
Riggers' Captain, Tracey Kelusky, who was 4 goals shy of 200 for his NLL career heading into Friday's game, got on the board late in the second quarter on a dash down the middle of the Swarm's short man to bring the home side within two at 11:14 of the second frame, but that was as close as the ânecks would get to Minnesota the rest of the night.
Several Roughnecks saw their first action of the 2006 season, most notably Matt Green, who had missed most of the last two campaigns with a serious knee injury. Green was a spark off the bench on offense, contributing several solid hits during scrambles for loose balls.
Also seeing the floor for the first time this year were Grant Hamilton, Rob Kirkby and Craig Gelsvik, all of whom played solidly on the defensive end of the floor with Hamilton contributing a few offensive chances during jaunts down the floor.
This night, however, belonged to Patterson, who turned aside a barrage of Rigger opportunities in the third and fourth quarters including a rejection of Kelusky on a break away after the ânecks captain had made an incredible steal at the defensive end of the floor.
Leading the Riggers in scoring were Kaleb Toth (1G, 5A), who reached 200 assists for his NLL career on Friday; Lewis Ratcliff (1G, 3A); Kelusky (2G, 1A) and Kyle Goundrey (2G, 1A).
The ânecks fall to 1-1 in 2006, but are back in action tomorrow night as they head North for round two of the Battle of Alberta against the Edmonton Rush, which will be shown live on Rogers Sportsnet at 7:30pm Mountain Time. Kelusky (2 shy) and Toth (3 shy) will shoot for 200 career goals on Saturday against the Rush.
The next home date for the Roughnecks is Sunday, February 5 against the Toronto Rock at 1pm Mountain Time.
National Lacrosse League Stories from January 20, 2006
- Roughnecks Fall to Swarm - Calgary Roughnecks
- Lumberjax to welcome season sponsors - Portland Lumberjax
- Rush set to battle Roughnecks Saturday - Edmonton Rush
- Swarm Hosts Rochester Knighthawks Saturday Night - Minnesota Swarm
- Knighthawks game notes - Rochester Knighthawks
- LumberJax Play First Home Game on Saturday - Portland Lumberjax
- Fans, Prepare to Rush to Toronto - Edmonton Rush
- Rush, Roughnecks Go To War Saturday - Edmonton Rush
- Rock Looking For Revenge - Toronto Rock
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