Roughnecks clinch playoff spot
March 20, 2005 - National Lacrosse League (NLL)
Calgary Roughnecks News Release
Calgary AB ( March 20, 2005) - The Calgary Roughnecks (8-3) of the National Lacrosse League are the first team to be guaranteed a spot in the 2005 play-offs.
The Riggers sweep of the San Jose Stealth in their weekend 2-game home-and -home series, allied to Colorado's 16-8 thrashing of Anaheim, means that neither San Jose or Anaheim can catch the âNecks, even if the two California squads win all their remaining games and Calgary loses all of theirs.
"Now we're playing for home field advantage and a chance to reward our loyal fans," said Brad Banister, President and Principal Owner, said Sunday. "Obviously I am delighted we've secured a playoff spot so early, but it there's no room to relax as we still have five extremely tough games ahead.
"Two of those games are against Toronto - whom we've only ever beat once, and never in their building - two are against Arizona, the surprise team of the NLL, and one is against Buffalo, currently the best outfit in the East Division."
Banister recalled that last year, the Roughnecks were 4-4 at the All-Star break. They eventually improved to 10-6 and then went on to beat Buffalo 14-11 in the Champion's Cup final.
"This season, though not playing particularly well, we were 5-3 at the half-way point," said Banister. "Since then we've gone three and zero, strongly suggesting that we're a side that gets stronger as the year progresses. If that's the case, we're in a great position."
Saturday's (11-10) victory in San Jose was a true nail-biter.
At one point in the fourth quarter, the Riggers trailed by three goals. But four unanswered markers, including the unassisted winner from Lewis Ratcliff, saw them emerge victorious.
Ratcliff's three goals and one assist made him the Roughnecks top scorer of the night. Assistant captains Kaleb Toth and Kyle Goundrey each got two goals and an assist, while skipper Tracey Kelusky chipped in with one goal and two assists. Curtis Palidwor made 35 wins to collect the win.
Calgary's next game is next Friday, March 25, in Phoenix against the Arizona Sting.
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National Lacrosse League Stories from March 20, 2005
- Roughnecks clinch playoff spot - Calgary Roughnecks
- Stealth Lose To Calgary, 11-10 - San Jose Stealth
- Mammoth routs Storm 16-8 - Colorado Mammoth
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