Sting comeback falls short in Calgary
March 24, 2007 - National Lacrosse League (NLL)
Arizona Sting News Release
CALGARY, AB --- The Arizona Sting were unable to overcome an early flurry of offensive production from the Calgary Roughnecks on Saturday night, eventually losing by a score of 14-12 despite a stellar final three quarters of play. After Calgary went up 7-1 early in the second period, the Sting went on a 7-2 run to pull to within one of the Roughnecks' lead going into the fourth quarter. The home team was able to pull ahead in the late going however, scoring four of the game's final six goals to earn the victory.
Goaltender Mike Attwood played well in relief of Rob Blasdell on Saturday night, making 23 saves in 41 minutes of action between the pipes for Arizona. Derek Malawsky paced the Sting offense, tallying 4G-3A-7P in a losing effort for the visiting squad from the Valley of the Sun.
"This team never gives up," said Malawsky following the loss. "We got down early, but we really battled hard those last three quarters and almost pulled off the comeback. I'm disappointed with the loss, but there are definitely a lot of positives to take out of this game."
Calgary got on the board first, as Kyle Goundrey beat Rob Blasdell with a low shot to give the home team a 1-0 lead 1:21 into the match. The Sting tied the game on the very next possession however, as Lindsay Plunkett scored his 25th goal of the season to even things up at one goal apiece. The Roughnecks then tallied four unanswered goals (two by Tracey Kelusky and two by Lewis Ratcliff) to make the score 5-1 in their favor as the opening frame came to an end.
The Roughnecks went up 7-1 early in the second quarter, as Jeff Shattler and Taylor Wray scored ten seconds apart (at 3:00 and 3:10) to prompt a goaltending change for the Sting. Rob Blasdell's replacement, Mike Attwood, made an immediate impact upon entering the match, registering an assist on Dan Dawson's team-leading 34th goal fifty-eight seconds after the goaltending switch was made. The Sting then pulled to within four of the Calgary lead on the strength of Lindsay Plunkett's second goal of the night 5:47 into the second period. The brothers Malawsky then went to work, as Curt and Derek each scored goals to make the score 7-5 as the first half came to an end.
Arizona's unanswered goal streak was snapped at four by Jeff Shattler, who put the Roughnecks back up by three 0:17 into the third period. Derek Malawsky and Peter Veltman then scored twenty-four seconds apart (at 4:25 and 4:49) to pull the Sting to within one of the Riggers' once commanding lead. A big kick save by Mike Attwood off the stick of Kaleb Toth soon after Veltman's goal kept the Sting within immediate striking distance of Calgary as the third quarter reached its mid-point. Attwood was then beaten on a rebound goal from Tracey Kelusky, but Curt Malawsky responded with his second tally of the match to pull Arizona back to within one of the home team as the third quarter came to an end.
With 13:17 remaining in regulation, the game was tied 9-9 by Derek Malawsky, who beat Calgary net minder Andrew Leyshon with a well-placed shot for his third tally of the night. Calgary regained the lead 0:48 later, as Scott Ranger found the back of the Arizona net to propel the Roughnecks' goal total into double digits. The Sting came right back however, tying things 10-10 on a goal by Dan Dawson with ten minutes remaining in the fourth quarter. Taylor Wray and Kaleb Toth then scored back-to-back goals to put Calgary up by two, but another goal by Dawson pulled Arizona back to within one. The score was made 13-11 by Lewis Ratcliff, who registered his third goal of the match with a high shot that eluded Attwood. Kaleb Toth and Derek Malawsky exchanged late goals, leading to the final score being 14-12 for the Roughnecks. Sting Assistant Coach Rick Wilson gave credit to his team for never giving up in Saturday's loss.
"A lot of teams would've thrown in the towel after that tough start," said Wilson. "Our guys have a lot of heart and we really fought hard to claw our way back and tie the game in the fourth. Unfortunately, Calgary ended up with the win, but we've got them back in our building next month, and hopefully we can take the season series with another win at Jobing.com Arena."
Up next for Arizona is a pair of games against divisional rivals next weekend. On Friday, the Sting travel to Denver for a tilt with the defending NLL champion Colorado Mammoth. The very next night, the Sting take on the San Jose Stealth in a Saturday night showdown at Jobing.com Arena. The third and final game of the season between the Sting and Roughnecks is scheduled to take place in Glendale on Friday, April 13.
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National Lacrosse League Stories from March 24, 2007
- Good buddies reach 500-point plateau together as Roughnecks win 14-12 - Calgary Roughnecks
- Good buddies reach 500-point plateau together as Roughnecks win 14-12 - Calgary Roughnecks
- Sting comeback falls short in Calgary - Arizona Sting
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- Wings End Losing Streak - Philadelphia Wings
- Shamrox Clipped By Wings, 12-11 - Chicago Shamrox
- Mammoth falls to Bandits in Buffalo - Colorado Mammoth
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