Riggers End Regular Season With A Bang
April 18, 2009 - National Lacrosse League (NLL)
Calgary Roughnecks News Release
PORTLAND, OR - The Calgary Roughnecks wrapped up the regular season on a high note Friday, dominating the Portland Lumberjax 12-9 at Rose Garden, giving them a 12-4 record going into the playoffs.
The Riggers gained control of the ball early on, but both teams struggled in the first frame to open the scoring, leaving it up to Lumberjax Ryan Powell to put the first marker on the board at 5:28.
Calgary's Matt King and Portland's Matthew Flindell were both hot between the pipes keeping the teams to two goals apiece in the opening 15 minutes of action.
With Riggers' Mike Carnegie serving a five minute major for illegal cross checking, teammate Scott Ranger comes on strong and pots Calgary's first goal of the game at 6:27. Ranger's short-handed goal ties the game at one, surging the Roughnecks goal streak heading into the second frame.
The second quarter was all Calgary as the Roughnecks tallied six goals by the 14:51 mark making an 8-2 spread in the game. Dane Dobbie, Jeff Shattler, Ranger and Kelusky each tallied goals in the second.
While the Riggers were untouchable, the Lumberjax were held scoreless, but were given two penalties, which only added to the Roughnecks scoring tirade.
The tides turned heading into the second half of the game, with Portland piling on the pressure and outscoring Calgary in the third quarter 5-1, putting the Lumberjax within two. Josh Sanderson scored the lone goal at 8:40 of the third, while Portland's Peter Morgan scored his second of the night.
The Riggers and Jax proved why they are the top two teams in the West as both fought in the final quarter to finish the regular season with a win, moving into playoffs.
The final frame saw back-to-back goals from Dobbie and Ranger before the five minute mark, courtesy of the man advantage after penalties to David Morgan and Richard Morgan. Ranger's third goal of the game was an even strength tally, giving the 'Necks the 11-7 lead.
But the Lumberjax wouldn't let the Roughnecks strong lead get the best of them, as they continued to axe their way past netminder Matt King, bringing the game once again within two at 4:57.
The game was stalled until Shattler was able to put one past Flindell bringing the game to 12-9 with only a 1:16 left on the clock.
Portland attempts to leave the game early to lick their wounds before being called back to the field to complete the last few seconds of the game. The Roughnecks leave Rose Garden with the win and boosted confidence moving into the playoffs.
Josh Sanderson had an impressive eight point performance (1g, 7a) to lead the Roughnecks. Tracey Kelusky (3g, 1a), Kaleb Toth (4a) and Jeff Shattler (3g. 1a) all produced four point nights, while Dane Dobbie (2g, 1a) and Scott Ranger (3g) followed closely behind. Matt King (2a) also racked up two points of his own.
Greg Hinman (1a), Curt Malawsky (1a) and Nolan Heavenor (1a) each added helpers.
Derek Malawsky (1g, 2a), Ryan Powell (1g, 2a), Peter Morgan (2g, 1a), and Cory Conway (1, 2a) all had three point nights for the Lumberjax. Scott Stewart (1g, 1a), Tim Campeau (1g, 1a) and Richard Morgan (1g, 1a) each had two, followed by Pete Jacobs (1g), Tyler Codron (1a), and Brodie Merrill (1a).
A Colorado Mammoth win over the Edmonton Rush tonight secured the Roughnecks opponent for the Western Division Semi-Final matchup.
The Roughnecks and Mammoth will meet on Sunday, May 3rd at the Pengrowth Saddledome. Game time is 3:00 p.m. MT.
For ticket information, please visit www.calgaryroughnecks.com.
Get Rough, Get Tough, Get Ready! Join the Calgary Roughnecks as they battle it out for the coveted Champions Cup!
National Lacrosse League Stories from April 18, 2009
- Swarm falls in season finale - Minnesota Swarm
- Boston Blazers Blowback Bandits 13-12 in Overtime - Boston Blazers
- Rock close out 2009 season with home win - Toronto Rock
- Rochester Eliminates Wings from Playoffs on Final Night of Regular Season - Philadelphia Wings
- Jax Fall To Roughnecks, 12-9 - Portland Lumberjax
- Riggers End Regular Season With A Bang - Calgary Roughnecks
- Mammoth Defeats Rush, Earns Playoff Spot - Colorado Mammoth
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