Calgary to host playoff game
April 14, 2007 - National Lacrosse League (NLL)
Calgary Roughnecks News Release
The Calgary Roughnecks are in the National Lacrosse League's playoffs - and they are there in grand style.
After traveling to Phoenix Friday and beating the heavily favoured Arizona Sting 12-11, they flew north to Edmonton Saturday and thrashed the Rush 17-11. The score flattered the Rush who scored four late goals with the outcome long beyond doubt.
As a result of the two wins and Arizona's loss on Saturday to Minnesota, the Riggers (9-7) leapt from fourth to second in the NLL's West Division and will now stage a much coveted home game in the playoffs next weekend against the Sting (also 9-7).
Colorado (12-4) will host the San Jose Stealth (yet another 9-7)
Rookie netminder Ryan Avery came into the Arizona clash with the Roughnecks trailing 11-7 and still 24 minutes to go. He faced 10 shots, stopped them all, and watched while his offence hit the twine five times at the other end of the floor.
Saturday he got the start and justified Head Coach Jeff Dowling's confidence by going the whole way and in doing so beat back 40 of the 51 shots that flew in his direction. It was Avery's fourth win of the season, two as a starter and two in relief. He has yet to taste defeat in the NLL.
"Ryan was simply great," said General Manager Kurt Silcott. "He showed a maturity well beyond his years and the defence responded to his heroics by shutting down the high-powered Rush attack until a late game letdown."
Captaiu Tracey Kelusky was at his mercurial best on offence and led the Roughnecks with nine points (2g, 7a). He now has 88 points on the season, easily his best tally in a Calgary uniform.
His two fellow members of the Trio Grande, Lewis Ratcliff and Kaleb Toth were also much in evidence.
Ratcliff chipped in eight points (2g, 6a) giving him giving him 104 points in 2007, and in doing so became the first ever Roughhneck to reach the century mark in a single season.
Toth, the only original Roughneck, added five points of his own (3g, 2a) and was a persistent thorn in Edmonton's side the entire 60 minutes.
Scott Ranger, fresh off a career night against Arizona (5g, 1a), registered his second hat trick in successive games.
Other Calgary goals came from Nolan Heavenor (2), Ryan McNish (his first goal of the season) , Jeff Moleski (short-handed), Kyle Goundrey, Jesse Phillips and Jeff Shattler.
Edmonton responded through Dan Stroup (4), A.J. Shannon (2), Randy Daly, ex-Roughneck Jason Wulder, Buck Stobart, Chris McElroy and Jimmy Quinlan.
Former Rigger goalie Curtis Palidwor took the loss for the Rush.
Calgary went 3-7 on the power play, while Edmonton could only manage 2-8.
National Lacrosse League Stories from April 14, 2007
- Chicago Ends Wings' Season With 17-11 Win - Philadelphia Wings
- Calgary to host playoff game - Calgary Roughnecks
- Mammoth to host Stealth next Saturday in NLL Playoffs - Colorado Mammoth
- Arizona Finishes the Season 9-7, Will Open the Playoffs in Calgary Next Weekend - Arizona Sting
- New York win over Toronto not enough to eliminate Rock from playoffs as Philly falls too - Toronto Rock
- New York Titans End Inaugural Season With 12-11 Win in Toronto - Orlando Titans
- Rochester Hosts Buffalo In Possible Playoff Preview - Rochester Knighthawks
- Jax Season Finale Ends In 14-10 Victory Over Rush - Portland Lumberjax
- Roughnecks Shock Sting With Late Rally - Arizona Sting
- Roughencks Punch Playoff ticket - Calgary Roughnecks
- Playoff Bound Stealth Defeat Mammoth, 11-10 - San Jose Stealth
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