Bandits down Roughnecks 17-9
February 8, 2008 - National Lacrosse League (NLL)
Calgary Roughnecks News Release
CALGARY - Simply put, things didn't go well for the Calgary Roughnecks on Friday night.
Before a 17-9 loss to the Buffalo Bandits, the Roughnecks (2-3) found out that they'd have to play without goalie Steve Dietrich and forward Tracey Kelusky, both of whom missed the contest with concussions. For Kelusky, it's the fourth straight game the Calgary captain has had to sit out.
Once the ball dropped, Calgary couldn't contain John Tavares, the all-time leading scorer in the National Lacrosse League. Tavares led the Bandit attack with two goals, including the 600th of his illustrious career, and seven assists. Tavares also tied teammate Mark Steenhuis by collecting a game-high eight loose balls.
"We didn't deserve to be in the game and we weren't in the game," said Calgary coach Troy Cordingley, who spent the last five seasons as an assistant coach in Buffalo. "We were outworked in every facet. It's frustrating that we didn't show up."
One bright spot for Calgary was the play of Curt Malawsky, who finished the game with a hat trick.
"If our team had half the heart Curt Malawsky did, we wouldn't be in this situation," Cordingley said. "He was our best player and he is our oldest player."
Chris Seller, playing his first game with the Riggers since being acquired from the Edmonton Rush on Jan. 30, scored a pair, while Kelly Hall had a goal and two assists.
Lewis Ratcliff and Jeff Shattler both had a goal and an assist, while Kaleb Toth, Greg Hinman and Scott Ranger chipped in with two assists each. Nolan Heavenor scored once for the Roughnecks, whose two-game winning streak came to an end.
Ratcliff finished the game with 13 shots on goal, the most by any player.
Former Roughneck Kevin Dostie had a hat trick and three assists for the Bandits (3-2) as did Steenhuis. Also scoring for Buffalo were Dan Teat (2g, 3a), Clay Hill (2g), Pat McCready (2g), Cory Bomberry (1g, 4a), Delby Powless (1g, 3a) and Billy Dee Smith (1g).
Starting Buffalo netminder Michael Thompson made 43 saves before being relieved by Ken Montour, who stopped three of the four shots he faced in the final 3:55 of play.
Ryan Avery made his second consecutive start in the Calgary net and made 31 saves before giving way to Alex Coutts who stopped two of three shots he faced.
The Riggers couldn't find their scoring touch in the first half as the Bandits built up a 6-2 lead as Dostie scored twice to lead the Buffalo attack.
The Riggers played better in the second half, but were still outscored 11-7 by the Bandits, who rebounded with a win after suffering a 15-14 setback to the Philadelphia Wings on Jan. 26.
The Roughnecks will look to get back on the winning track next Saturday, Feb. 16 when they travel to Rochester to play the Knighthawks. The Riggers will then face the LumberJax in Portland on Feb. 22 before returning home to play the West Division leading Colorado Mammoth on the afternoon of Feb. 24.
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National Lacrosse League Stories from February 8, 2008
- Bandits down Roughnecks 17-9 - Calgary Roughnecks
- New York Titans Fall To Minnesota - Orlando Titans
- National Lacrosse League All-Star Game Fan Balloting now underway - NLL
- Six Knighthawks on NLL All-Star ballot - Rochester Knighthawks
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