Down to the final whistle for the Riggers
Published on April 12, 2007 under National Lacrosse League (NLL)
Calgary Roughnecks News Release
Calgary, AB -The Calgary Roughnecks enter the final weekend of the 2007 season, in the knowledge that come Sunday morning they could be anywhere from 2nd to 5th in the National Lacrosse League's West Division.
If they finish 2nd, they'll host a playoff game. If they finish 5th they'll not be in the post-season festivities at all. If they finish 3rd or 4th, the Riggers will hit the road.
"It's in our own hands now," said Roughnecks General Manager, Kurt Silcott. "If we win both games we are guaranteed to go on, with the possibility of playing the first round in front of our own fans."
The Colorado Mammoth (11-3), Arizona Sting (9-5) and San Jose (8-6) have already made the playoffs, which leaves the Riggers (7-7) and Edmonton Rush (6-8) fighting for the 4th and final berth.
But if Arizona should lose its two remaining games (versus Calgary and Minnesota) and San Jose loses just one of its home-and-home series with the Mammoth, Calgary has a shot at 2nd by virtue of its season record against the Sting and Stealth.
In the event Calgary loses both away weekend tilts (in Phoenix Friday and Edmonton Saturday), the Edmonton Rush makes it to the playoffs for the first time in its history.
Whatever the results, Lewis Ratcliff is expected to set two new Roughnecks scoring records.
He currently has 90 points (45 goals, 45 assists) and needs only two points to pass his own record of last year (91 points).
Ratcliff is also on the verge of scoring more goals in a single season than any other player in club history. He is now level with Tracey Kelusky, who hit the back of the net 45 times in 2005.
In relation to the rest of the National Lacrosse League, Ratcliff is tied for 1st with most goals; tied for 1st with most power play goals (16) and 3rd in power play assists (24).
Along with John Grant of Rochester, he has also taken the most shots (234).
Meanwhile, Kelusky needs just three points to pass his previous best output as a Roughneck (77 points), set in 2005. He currently has 75 points (32 goals, 43 assists).
Rookie Jeff Shattler is 2nd in scoring among NLL defenders with 31 points. In that same category, he is 1st in goals (14) and power play goals (5).
Calgary is the 2nd highest scoring team in the league with 190 goals. Rochester tops the pile with 220.
On the negative side, the Roughnecks are the 2nd most penalized team in the NLL (an average of 26.21 minutes per game), 2nd in major penalties (19) and tied for 1st in 10 minute misconducts (4).
Newcomer Tyler Francey will make his first appearance for Calgary in Phoenix Friday night. Francey was signed just prior to the trade deadline of March 20 to bolster the club's defensive ranks.
He has previous NLL experience with Columbus, Arizona, Buffalo and New York.
Veteran Andy Ogilvie will not travel to Arizona, but is expected to be in the squad that battles with Edmonton on Saturday.
Super-pest Kerry Susheski will not play in either weekend game because of groin and shoulder injuries.
National Lacrosse League Stories from April 12, 2007
- Stealth Fall To Defending Champions 13-12 - San Jose Stealth
- Mammoth tops Stealth, claims West Division title - Colorado Mammoth
- New York Titans Play Final 2007 Game at Toronto Rock Saturday - Orlando Titans
- Sting Wrap Up Regular Season With Two Huge Games This Weekend - Arizona Sting
- Rock Wrap Up Regular Season With A Must-Win Game Vs. NY Titans - Toronto Rock
- Down to the final whistle for the Riggers - Calgary Roughnecks
- Rush in hunt for final playoff spot - Edmonton Rush
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