Roughnecks squash Sting
Published on April 8, 2006 under National Lacrosse League (NLL)
Calgary Roughnecks News Release
The Calgary Roughnecks took one step closer to securing a home playoff date on Saturday night by beating the Arizona Sting 14-12 in front of 12,173 rabid fans.
The ânecks opened the match with two quick goals from the stick of Kaleb Toth as they dominated play in the first 15 minutes. The home side would pot three more goals in the first quarter to take a 5-1 lead into the second stanza.
In the second quarter the Roughnecks' defense shone, foiling numerous fast break chances by the Sting. Any Arizona shooters that were able to find enough room to shoot were stoned by Calgary goalie, Curtis Palidwor.
Palidwor continued his great play of late, especially when the Roughnecks were short handed and ended the match with 41 saves on 53 shots.
The home side carried an 8-3 lead into the third quarter, but quickly found themselves in a precarious position as they had two men in the penalty box right off the third period draw. Calgary killed off both penalties and put two past Sting âtender, Rob Blasdell to hold a 10-5 lead heading into the final frame.
Special teams played a major role in the Roughnecks win on Saturday. The man up unit scored on three of their five opportunities and the man down squad killed off four of Arizona's seven power play opportunities.
Facing an uphill battle to reach the playoffs if they lost to Calgary, the Sting kicked off the fourth quarter with a three goal run to make the ânecks lead just 10-8 with over 11 minutes to play.
The Roughnecks defense pulled together for the final 11 minutes, weathering the Sting's initial run and a second three goal run later in the quarter. On the offensive end, Player of the Game, Lewis Ratcliff scored his fourth and fifth goals of the game and Tracey Kelusky stopped the first Arizona run with an incredible diving goal.
Scoring for Calgary on Saturday were Ratcliff (5G, 4A), Toth (3G, 2A), Kevin Dostie (5A), Jason Wulder (1G, 3A), Kelusky (2G, 1A), Jeff Moleski (2G, 1A), Devan Wray (2A), Kyle Goundrey (1G, 1A) and Jesse Phillips (1A).
The ânecks round out their regular season next weekend with a home and home series against the Colorado Mammoth starting in Colorado on Friday and finishing in Calgary on Saturday, April 15; ball drop for Saturday's game is 7:30pm Mountain Time.
National Lacrosse League Stories from April 8, 2006
- Roughnecks squash Sting - Calgary Roughnecks
- Updated Playoff Picture for Toronto Rock - Toronto Rock
- Rock defeat Wings 15-14 in overtime thriller - Toronto Rock
- Toronto Rocks Wings In Overtime 15-14 - Philadelphia Wings
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