Key Weekend for Roughnecks
Published on March 16, 2006 under National Lacrosse League (NLL)
Calgary Roughnecks News Release
Calgary, AB - The Calgary Roughnecks have the opportunity this weekend to go from the outhouse to the penthouse in one foul swoop.
"It's in our own hands now," said General Manager Kurt Silcott today. "Wins Friday and Saturday will put us in a position where the rest of the teams in the West division will have to chase us."
The picture was not so bright on February 17, when the Riggers suffered an almost unbelievable last minute loss to the upstart Edmonton Rush.
The Edmonton shocker handed the Roughnecks their third consecutive defeat on home turf and left them with a dismal 3-4 record.
But recent wins over close rivals Arizona and Colorado has seen them improve to 5-4 and they currently sit atop the West conference alongside Arizona and Portland.
Colorado is at 5-5, San Jose is 4-4, while Edmonton brings up the rear at 1-10.
Tomorrow, the Riggers are in the provincial capital for the final tussle in a four-game series, then Saturday they are up bright and early (the bus leaves their Edmonton hotel at 3.45 a.m.) for a flight to San Jose.
The plan is to have Curtis Palidwor in goal against Edmonton, with recent acquisition Ryan Avery as his back up, while 24 hours later, Andrew Leyshon, the hero of last Saturday's overtime victory versus Colorado, will start in San Jose, with Palidwor sitting in reserve.
"We wanted to give Avery a sense of what it's like to dress for us," explained Silcott, "and we also felt that Andrew deserved a start. Hopefully, this arrangement works out well for all concerned."
Since Edmonton and Calgary last met, the Riggers have parted company with Ryan Marshall (to Portland), Andrew Biers (to Minnesota) and Rob Williams (Edmonton).
Biers went to Minnesota in trade for 2nd and 3rd round picks in the NLL's 2006 entry draft, Williams was cut from the roster, while veteran sniper Ted Dowling was supposed to come to Calgary in a straight swap for Marshall.
But Dowling has since undergone knee surgery and is probably finished for the season. If that's the case, the Roughnecks will get a 2nd round pick from Portland.
Rookie Callum Crawford who scored in his NLL debut against Colorado last week, will probably suit up for the second time in Edmonton.
Hard-nosed defender Andy Ogilvie will only play against San Jose and it is yet to be decided whom he will replace.
NOTES:
Calgary has three players - Lewis Ratcliff (47 points), Tracey Kelusky (38 points) and Kaleb Toth (37 points) - among the league's top 22 scoring leaders. Edmonton and San Jose have no-one on that list.
Calgary has the 6th best power play in the NLL (38.98% efficiency). Edmonton is 11th and last (26.67%), while San Jose is 9th (36.51%).
The Roughnecks are 4th in man down situations (63.93%), with Edmonton 10th (51.85%), and San Jose 6th (62.71%).
Curtis Palidwor is ranked 4th among NLL goalies with a goals against average of 10.37. San Jose's Anthony Cosmo is 2nd (9.85), while Edmonton's first choice âtender Pat Campbell is 12th (12.34).
Tomorrow night's game in Edmonton (ball drop 7.30 p.m.) can be seen live on Rogers Sportsnet (Channel 27).
National Lacrosse League Stories from March 16, 2006
- Sting Sign Former NHL Enforcer to Practice Roster - Arizona Sting
- Key Weekend for Roughnecks - Calgary Roughnecks
- King wins Defensive Player of the Week - Portland Lumberjax
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