Riggers win second straight to improve to 3-1
Published on January 27, 2007 under National Lacrosse League (NLL)
Calgary Roughnecks News Release
CALGARY, AB - Although they allowed seven power-play goals, the Calgary Roughnecks also notched a club record four short-handed markers during a 15-14 win over the Minnesota Swarm Saturday night.
Calgary led 15-10 in the fourth quarter before Minnesota mounted a furious comeback to pull within a goal. But the Riggers held on for the narrow victory in front of an appreciative crowd of 11,462 fans at the Pengrowth Saddledome. The win improved Calgary's record to 3-1, while Minnesota fell to 1-3.
Netminder Ryan Avery recorded his first-ever National Lacrosse League victory in relief of starter Andrew Leyshon. Avery stopped 27 of the 34 shots he faced including one in the dying seconds to deny Swarm sniper Ryan Ward of scoring his fifth goal of the game to tie the contest.
Lewis Ratcliff scored once and added five assists in Calgary's second straight win. Scott Ranger had a hat trick and a helper, Kaleb Toth scored once and assisted on four others, while Shawn Cable (2g, 1a), Kyle Goundrey (1g, 2a) and Andy Ogilvie (3a) had three-point outings. Also chipping in were Jeff Moleski (2g), Tracey Kelusky (1g, 1a), Nolan Heavenor (1g, 1a), Kerry Susheski (1g, 1a), Andrew McBride (2a), while Devan Wray and Jeff Shattler each had one goal.
Leading the way for the Swarm was Ward with four goals and six assists, while Kelly Hall scored twice and had five helpers.
The game also featured a spirited fight in the fourth quarter between McBride and Sean Pollock of the Swarm.
The Roughnecks jumped out to a 5-3 lead after the first quarter as Cable and Moleski each scored twice. Shattler scored the fifth goal after getting a nice pass from Goundrey right in front of the net. Shattler outwaited Minnesota goalie Matt Disher before roofing a shot to put the Riggers up by two.
Minnesota then took the play to Calgary in the second quarter as the Swarm reeled off four straight goals, including a pair by Scott Stewart to take a 7-5 lead. That prompted Calgary coach Chris Hall to replace Leyshon, who stopped 13 of the 20 shots he faced, in net with Avery.
The move definitely sparked Ranger, who fired two straight goals for Calgary to tie the contest. On the second goal, Ranger was sandwiched between two Swarm defenders before he fired a low shot past a surprised Disher.
Also not impressed with his starting goaltender, Minnesota coach Duane Jacobs pulled Disher from in between the pipes in favour of Nick Pattersson. Disher stopped just seven of the 14 shots he faced.
When Goundrey took a five-minute major for high sticking Ryan Cousins, it appeared as if the Swarm could regain their momentum, but the Roughnecks didn't let that happen. Instead, Ratcliff and Kelusky notched short-handed goals to give the Riggers a 9-7 lead heading into the half-time intermission.
When play resumed, McBride joined Goundrey in the penalty box after taking a holding penalty. Spencer Martin scored on the ensuing two-man advantage to pull the Swarm to within one goal. Jon Sullivan then scored to tie the game during a delayed penalty to Ranger, who was still sent to the sin bin with a high-sticking major.
Once again, the Riggers didn't let the penalty faze them as Susheski notched a short-handed marker to regain the lead for Calgary. Taylor Wray then appeared to put the Roughnecks up by two once again with another shorty, but the goal was waived off and Wray was sent to the box for checking from behind. Hall then tied the contest for Minnesota on the Swarm's second goal with a two-man advantage.
The Roughnecks finally scored a power-play goal of their own to take the lead once again when Heavenor converted a feed from Ratcliff at the 14 minute mark of the third quarter. Just 39 seconds into the fourth, Susheski counted his second of the game to put Calgary up by a pair.
Ranger then completed his hat trick at 4:47 of the fourth before Goundrey and Toth scored to put Calgary up 15-10. The Riggers then got into penalty troubles yet again as Susheski was fingered for cross checking and Craig Gelvik was assessed a five-minute major for high sticking.
Ward scored twice in the game's dying minutes, while Martin and former Roughneck forward Andrew Biers also bulged the twine to pull the Swarm within one before Avery was finally able to shut the door on the Minnesota scoring attack.
Next Saturday, the Roughnecks travel to San Jose to face the Stealth, who spoiled Calgary's home opener by winning a 17-16 overtime decision on Jan. 12. A week later, the Riggers return home to face the Philadelphia Wings on Feb. 10 at the Saddleome (7:30 p.m. start).
National Lacrosse League Stories from January 27, 2007
- Riggers win second straight to improve to 3-1 - Calgary Roughnecks
- Grant breaks single game points record - NLL
- Rock fall short in close game to Wings, 10-9 - Toronto Rock
- Wings Win Third In A Row - Philadelphia Wings
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