Roughnecks avenge loss with 16-13 win over Stealth
January 26, 2008 - National Lacrosse League (NLL)
Calgary Roughnecks News Release
CALGARY - The Calgary Roughnecks avenged an earlier setback to the San Jose Stealth while earning their first National Lacrosse League victory of the season on Friday night.
Following a 13-12 overtime loss to the Stealth in Calgary on Jan. 12, the Roughnecks had nearly two weeks to prepare for the rematch in San Jose. Despite trailing 4-1 early and 6-4 after the first quarter, the Riggers rebounded to earn a hard-fought 16-13 win over the Stealth (1-1).
"I thought our team showed a lot of character," said head coach Troy Cordingley in a phone interview after the victory.
Jeff Shattler led the way with four goals and four assists for the Roughnecks (1-2), playing once again without captain Tracey Kelusky, who's out with a concussion.
"We have a lot of depth," Cordingley said, commending Shattler for his performance while also praising Kaleb Toth, who had a hat trick to go with two assists and a great night fighting for loose balls with eight pick-ups. "Kaleb Toth stepped it up tonight."
Scott Ranger scored twice and set up five goals for Calgary, while Lewis Ratcliff had two goals and three helpers. Andrew McBride also scored twice, one on a shorthanded breakaway in the first quarter, while Dane Dobbie (1g, 2a), Ryan McNish (1g, 1a), Bruce Codd (1g), Kelly Hall (3a), and Curt Malawsky (2a) also contributed to the important win.
Goalie Steve Dietrich made 35 saves to earn his first victory as a Roughneck since being acquired in the off-season from the Buffalo Bandits in a trade involving three teams.
"He makes big, timely saves," Cordingly said of his 5-foot-9, 260-pound netminder. "He's a top-notch goalie."
For the Stealth, Colin Doyle and Jeff Zywicki recorded hat tricks to go with three assists each, while Gary Rosyski also had three goals along with one helper. Peter Veltman, Cam Sedgwick, Eric Martin and Curtis Hodgson also scored for the Stealth.
Things actually got interesting late in the game after Toth scored his third goal of the game at the 12 minute mark of the fourth quarter. Rosyski then scored twice with the Stealth net empty in favour of an extra attacker to pull the Stealth within a pair of goals.
Calgary coach Troy Cordingley then called a timeout to settle down his troops and the strategy worked as McNish scored into an empty net when play resumed to round out the scoring and seal the victory for the Riggers.
"We just wanted to refocus," Cordingley said. "We had the game in hand and we wanted to make sure everyone knew that."
The Roughnecks don't have much time to rest as they'll be right back in action on Saturday night (7:30 p.m.) at the Pengrowth Saddledome against the Portland LumberJax.
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National Lacrosse League Stories from January 26, 2008
- Toth sparks Roughnecks to 13-6 win over LumberJax - Calgary Roughnecks
- Lumberjax held off by Roughnecks, 13-6 - Portland Lumberjax
- Sellout crowd helps Mammoth silence Stealth - Colorado Mammoth
- San Jose Stealth drop 11-6 decision in Colorado - San Jose Stealth
- Bandits fall to Wings 14-15 in overtime - Buffalo Bandits
- Wings Remain Undefeated With 15-14 Overtime Victory Over Buffalo - Philadelphia Wings
- Titans lose to the Rock 14-10 - Orlando Titans
- Rochester Looks To Get Back To .500 With Win Against Swarm - Rochester Knighthawks
- Roughnecks avenge loss with 16-13 win over Stealth - Calgary Roughnecks
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