Roughnecks win by a nose in Edmonton
Published on January 14, 2007 under National Lacrosse League (NLL)
Calgary Roughnecks News Release
A gutsy second half, in which they allowed only four goals, enabled the Calgary Roughnecks to a squeeze out a 13-12 victory over the hometown Edmonton Rush Saturday night.
Coupled with a 17-16 heartbreaking overtime loss to San Jose at the Pengrowth Saddledome 24 hours earlier, the Riggers ended the first weekend of their 2007 season with a respectable, though somewhat disappointing, 1-1 record.
The game did not start well for the visitors and after just 7:40 minutes of play, they found themselves 0-4 in arrears. Ironically, one of the goals plus an assist, came from the Riggers' first ever signing, Jason Wulder.
Calgary replied with three quick three goals of their own via Lewis Ratcliff (2) and Kyle Goundrey before the Rush stopped the comeback with two unanswered markers, one of which was registered by another ex-Roughneck, Chris Gill.
The first quarter ended with Edmonton holding a 6-3 advantage. After 30 minutes, they led 8-5.
At that point, Wulder, a fan favourite in Calgary until he moved to the Alberta capital in the off-season, had had a hand in five of Edmonton's eight goals (1g, 4a).
The Riggers came out strong in the third and thanks to goals from Scott Ranger, Goundrey, Kaleb Toth and Kerry Susheski (the other half of the Wulder trade), they trailed by only 9-11 at the close of the third quarter.
But it was in the final stanza the visitors really shone, outscoring the opposition 4-1.
"The defence was outstanding," said General Manager Kurt Silcott. "Everyone at the back end played well, especially Andy Ogilvie, Taylor Wray and Craig Gelsvik. Goalie Andrew Leyshon also stood tall in those dying minutes when we needed him the most."
Ratcliff (2g, 2a) and captain Tracey Kelusky (1g, 3a) gathered four points apiece, with the other goals going to Toth (2), Goundrey (2), Jeff Moleski, Nolan Heavenor, Ranger, Jeff Shattler, former Rush player Kerry Susheski, and Devan Wray with the winner.
Edmonton scored through Dan Stroup (3), Jim Quinlan (3) Ryan O'Connor (2), Wulder (2), Gill and Randy Daly.
Calgary outshot Edmonton 56-48, collected more loose balls (64-58), and despite being assessed 32 minutes of penalty time compared to the Rush's 22, did better on the power play, connecting on four of 10 opportunities, while the Rush could do no better than 3-13.
The Roughnecks next game is next Saturday (January 20) at the Pengrowth Saddledome against the reigning NLL champions, the Colorado Mammoth. Ball drop is at 7.30 p.m.
National Lacrosse League Stories from January 14, 2007
- Roughnecks win first game of the season - Edmonton Rush
- Roughnecks win by a nose in Edmonton - Calgary Roughnecks
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