Rusty Roughnecks Rally for Win
January 12, 2003 - National Lacrosse League (NLL)
Calgary Roughnecks News Release
The Calgary Roughnecks opened the home portion of the 2003 National Lacrosse League season with a 14-9 victory over the New Jersey Storm Sunday afternoon at the Pengrowth Saddledome.
The Roughnecks looked rusty in the first-half coming off an off-week following their opening week win in Ottawa. The Roughnecks carried the play early, but New Jersey goaltender Derek General held the Roughnecks at bay for most of the first half.
Defence was the key for the Roughnecks in the first half, as the offence couldn't't find its grove early. New Jersey looked to take a commanding lead late in the first quarter on a two-man advantage, but the Roughnecks defence answered keeping New Jersey off the board. The Roughnecks then went on a two-man advantage of their own scoring late in the power play to notch the score at three.
Roughnecks Tyson Leies, known around professional lacrosse for his ability to excite the crowd, did just that following his third period goal. Leies climbed the glass and saluted the crowd bringing the 10,149 Roughnecks fans to their feet.
The game marked the second consecutive contest that Roughnecks goaltender Curtis Palidwor held the opposition two under 10 goals. Palidwor, acquired just prior to the season from the Columbus Landsharks, was outstanding in the second half allowing just three goals.
"The week off showed, but once the boys got the touch back things started to click," said Roughnecks forward and Player of the Game, Kaleb Toth. "We made a concerted effort to really shore up our defence coming into to this season, and I think that really showed this afternoon," added Roughnecks head coach, Chris Hall.
The Roughnecks return to the floor at the Pengrowth Saddledome on Friday, January 17th when the defending NLL Champion Toronto Rock visit the âDome (7:30pm MST) live on Rogers SportsNet.
Synopsis: The off-week left the he Roughnecks looking rusty as the club had trouble getting much going on the offensive side of the floor despite carrying the play for the first quarter... While the offence struggled to put points on the board the defence kept the Roughnecks in the game early... New Jersey couldn 't muster a goal on a two-man advantage in the first, but managed two even-strength shortly after... The Roughnecks managed to tie the contest at three with a two-man advantage of their own... Roughnecks goaltender Curtis Palidwor was shaky early but settled down throughout the game returning to the form he showed in Ottawa... Forward Jason Wulder led the Roughnecks attack early with his four goals and three assists.... The Roughnecks took their first lead of the game at 7:08 of the third quarter on a tally by homegrown Kaleb Toth and never looked back...Toth netted three goals and added four assists going on to be named Player of the Week... Tracey Kelusky continued his strong play posting four goals and adding a helper in the Roughnecks second win of the season.
National Lacrosse League Stories from January 12, 2003
- Storm Lose in Calgary, 14-9 - New Jersey Storm
- Rusty Roughnecks Rally for Win - Calgary Roughnecks
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