Roughnecks lose heartbreaker
February 17, 2006 - National Lacrosse League (NLL)
Calgary Roughnecks News Release
In the beginning it was anyone's game, in the middle the Edmonton Rush took control and in the end a bad bounce gave the Rush their first victory over the Calgary Roughnecks.
The Roughnecks got the 12,025 in attendance on their feet early in the first quarter when Grant Hamilton finished off a fast break started by Jeff Moleski.
Darren Hillier and Randy Daly of the Rush gave the visitors a 2-1 lead midway through the opening frame, but the Roughnecks would strike back with a goal each from Taylor Wray and Jason Wulder to reclaim the lead. A Jimmy Quinlan solo effort tied the score at three going into the second quarter.
Roughnecks Captain, Tracey Kelusky fired up the crowd again with a wicked over the shoulder shot that Rush goalie, Pat Campbell never saw coming. The home side pressed Campbell, but could only muster a 6-5 lead heading into halftime.
Edmonton tied the game at six early in the third stanza and held the tie until Calgary's, Andrew Biers fired a shot past Campbell with under five minutes remaining in the third quarter.
After the Biers goal, however, the Rush exploded for five straight goals, including the first four of the fourth quarter to hold a commanding 11-7 lead with less than six minutes to play in the game.
Shortly after the Rush had gone up 8-7, Edmonton's, Chris Stachniak challenged Calgary's, Ryan McNish immediately after McNish had won a face off against Stachniak. The fans hit their feet again as McNish put Stachniak on the ground with three swift punches, where he remained for a few minutes before being assisted off the carpet.
Not wanting to send their fans home with another loss to stew over, the Riggers cranked up the offense and ran off four straight of their own, including Kyle Goundrey's only goal of the game that tied things up at 11 with ten seconds to play.
Joy turned quickly to agony, however, as the Rush won the ensuing draw and fired a quick shot at Curtis Palidwor, who saved the initial shot, but could not save the rebound that bounced off one of his defenders and into the net with 0.2 seconds left to play.
Despite the final result, Palidwor stood tall on several occasions including a number of Rush breakaways, saving 32 of the 44 shots he faced overall.
Leading the scoring for the Roughnecks on Friday were Kelusky (2G, 5A), Lewis Ratcliff (3G, 4A), Wulder (1G, 4A), Goundrey (1G, 2A), Kaleb Toth (2A) and Biers (1G, 1A).
The Roughnecks next home game is March 11 against the Colorado Mammoth at 7:30pm.
Next Saturday four Roughnecks will appear in the NLL All-Star Game in Toronto, Captain, Tracey Kelusky (starter for the West); Kaleb Toth (West reserve), Lewis Ratcliff (West reserve) and Taylor Wray (West reserve).
National Lacrosse League Stories from February 17, 2006
- Roughnecks lose heartbreaker - Calgary Roughnecks
- Rock prepares to host Hall of Fame and All-Star Weekend - Toronto Rock
- Jax face Philadelphia for only time this season Saturday - Portland Lumberjax
- X-Treme Battle Of The Bands Starts March 23 - Minnesota Swarm
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