Portland Clinches Playoff Berth
from press release
CALGARY - The Portland LumberJax clinched a
playoff berth by defeating the Calgary Roughnecks 11-9 on Friday
night at Pengrowth Saddledome. Portland improves to 8-6 and becomes
the second team in the West Division to clinch a playoff berth, and
can clinch at least second place (playoff home game) with a win
over Minnesota on Saturday. Calgary falls to 10-4, but can still
clinch the West Division regular season title with a win at
Edmonton on Saturday.
It was a close game throughout, tied 3-3 after the first quarter.
Portland held a 7-6 lead at halftime. A Ryan Powell goal gave the
Jax an 8-6 lead, but Calgary goals by Kaleb Toth and Curt Malawsky
tied the score 8-8 heading into the fourth quarter.
With a chance to clinch a playoff spot staring them in the face,
Matt Disher stepped up once again for Portland. The Jax goaltender
held Calgary scoreless for 17 consecutive minutes over the third
and fourth quarters. Portland goals by Powell and Dan Stroup
provided some breathing room and Portland held on for an 11-9 win
that punched their ticket to the playoffs.
Disher stopped 36 of the 45 shots he faced in the game. Roughnecks
goaltender Pat Campbell made 31 saves on 42 shots faced.
Scott Srewart scored three goals for Portland, while Powell and
Peter Morgan each scored twice. Curt Malawsky scored four goals for
Calgary.
