Roughnecks finally solve Mammoth mystery
January 20, 2007 - National Lacrosse League (NLL)
Calgary Roughnecks News Release
The Riggers rebounded from a rough start to slay the Mammoth 17-13 in National Lacrosse League action at the Pengrowth Saddledome Saturday night to improve to 2-1.
It was Calgary's first win over Colorado in four tries dating back to last year when the Roughnecks loss three straight games to the Mammoth to end their season. Calgary dropped a home-and-home set to Colorado to end last year's campaign before the Mammoth eked out an 18-17 overtime decision in Denver during the first round of the playoffs.
On Saturday, Lewis Ratcliff notched six goals and added two helpers to pace the Roughneck attack in a thrilling game in front of a loud and appreciative crowd of 11,582 fans at the Pengrowth Saddleome. Calgary netminder Andrew Leyshon stopped 48 of 61 shots fired his way during the contest to record the win.
Tracey Kelusky also had a strong game for Calgary with two goals and five assists, while Kaleb Toth scored twice and had two helpers. Jeff Shattler had two goals and an assist, while Devan Wray (1g, 2a), Nolan Heavenor (1g), Scott Ranger (1g, 2a), Kerry Susheski (1g, 3a) and Shawn Cable (1g, 1a) notched singles for Calgary.
The Roughnecks jumped out to a quick start as Ratcliff scored at the 27 second mark of the first quarter to put Calgary up 1-0. Brian Langtry, who finished the contest with four goals and three assists, and Jamie Shewchuk then each counted two goals before the end of the first to help the Mammoth build up a 5-2 lead.
In the second quarter, the Roughnecks battled back to outscore the Mammoth 7-3 to take a miniscule one-goal lead into the locker room at half time. Ratcliff scored twice more to complete his hat trick, while Shattler counted a pair.
Susheski's shorthanded goal at 12:47 of the second gave the Riggers a 9-8 lead just 32 seconds after Langtry scored his third of the contest for Colorado with Heavenor in the penalty box serving a five-minute major for high-sticking. Calgary did a great job killing off the penalty and even regained the lead thanks to Susheski's marker.
The Riggers got into penalty troube again in the third as Toth was sent to the sin bin for five minutes for high sticking. During the ensuing powerplay, Dan Carey scored for Colorado to tie the contest. Andy Ogilvie was then penalized for roughing to give the Mammoth a two-man advantage on which Langtry scored to put Colorado up 10-9.
Not to be outdone, Ratcliff responded with a shorthanded tally, his fifth of the contest, at 7:18 of the third. But the see-saw battled continued as Gajic scored at 12:09 of the third frame to tie the game 11-11. After Ranger and Ben Prepchuk traded goals, the teams finished the third quarter all knotted up at 12-12.
At 2:03 of the fourth, Devan Wray scored Calgary's third shorthanded goal of the game to give the Riggers a one-goal lead once again. With the Mammoth penalized for an illegal substitution, the Roughnecks then took a two-goal lead for the first time as Toth converted a nice three-way passing play during Calgary's man advantage. Kelusky then notched another goal to give the Riggers their fourth power-play goal in six opportunities.
Gavin Prout then scored Colorado's final goal of the contest to finish with two goals and six assists before Shawn Cable replied for Calgary.
In the game's final minute, Colorado goalie Chris Levis headed to the bench for an extra attacker. The Mammoth were then penalized for an illegal substitution, which resulted in a penalty shot for Ratcliff, who made no mistake on the opportunity for his eighth point of the game
Gee Nash played the first half of the game in net for Colorado and stopped 23 of the 32 shots he faced before giving way in the second half to Levis, who made 15 saves and took the loss.
Next up, the Roughnecks play host to the Minnesota Swarm on Saturday, Jan. 27. Game time is 7:30 p.m.
National Lacrosse League Stories from January 20, 2007
- Roughnecks finally solve Mammoth mystery - Calgary Roughnecks
- Sting win third straight in Portland - Arizona Sting
- Mammoth loses first game of season - Colorado Mammoth
- Rock finish with tough loss to Knighthawks - Toronto Rock
- Shamrox Fall to Titans, 11-9 - Chicago Shamrox
- Wings Slide By Stealth, 9-8 - Philadelphia Wings
- Sting Defeat Lumberjax 11-4 - Arizona Sting
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