NLL: Roughnecks Pick Up Where They Left Off
from press release
CALGARY, AB - The Calgary Roughnecks began
defense of their 2009 National Lacrosse League title with a 12-7
win over the Minnesota Swarm in front of 8,112 fans at the
Pengrowth Saddledome on Saturday afternoon.
The game featured a pre-game ceremony in which the 2009 Western
Division and Champion’s Cup banners were raised to the
rafters of the ’Dome.
Following the festivities, Calgary’s leading scorer from
last season, Josh Sanderson, picked up right where he left off with
four goals and six assists to lead the Riggers to victory in their
home opener.
Dane Dobbie had a goal and four assists for the Riggers, while
Jeff Shattler (1g, 3a), Scott Ranger (2g, 1a) and Tracey Kelusky
(1g, 2a) also had strong games. Craig Conn and Jeff Moleski each
chipped in with a goal and an assist, rookie defenceman Curtis
Manning scored his first NLL goal in his first game with the
Riggers, while Scott Carnegie had a pair of assists.
Ryan Benesch led the Swarm (0-1) with two goals and three assists,
while Aaron Wilson scored twice and set up another. Callum Crawford
notched a goal and two helpers, while Sean Thomson (1g, 1a), Andrew
Watt (1g) and Zack Greer (2a) also hit the score sheet.
Matt King got the call in net for the Roughnecks on Sunday
afternoon and made 37 saves to record the victory.
Minnesota goalie Nick Patterson started in net for Minnesota and
stopped 34 of 45 shots he faced. Kevin Croswell relieved Patterson
for a brief stint in the second quarter and stopped one of two
shots he faced.
Sanderson started things off for the home squad at 3:40 of the
first quarter when he took a pass from Kelusky and bounced a shot
past Patterson.
A short time later, the Swarm responded as Watt and Wilson scored
goals 61 seconds apart to put Minnesota up 2-1.
Late in the first quarter, Moleski tied things up when he spun off
a check from Minnesota’s Jay Thorimbert and flicked a low
shot past Patterson.
The Riggers then took a 3-2 lead when Kelusky converted a pass
from Sanderson during a Calgary man advantage at 3:54 of the second
quarter. Just 26 seconds later Kelusky returned the favour and set
up a goal by Sanderson to put Calgary up by a pair.
Sanderson then completed his hat trick at 5:39 of the second when
he faked a shot before depositing the ball into the net behind
Patterson, who fell to his back awkwardly on the play.
Back-up goalie Kevin Croswell then entered the game and stopped
the first shot he faced before Ranger beat him with a high shot to
put Calgary up 6-2.
Patterson then re-entered the game and kept the ’Necks off
the scoresheet for the rest of the half, while Benesch scored twice
to bring the visitors within a pair of goals heading into the
intermission.
After Crawford scored for the Swarm at 2:56 of the third quarter,
Manning scored his first-ever NLL goal for the Roughnecks 46
seconds later to put Calgary up 7-5.
Led by Sanderson, the Roughnecks continued to pour on the pressure
and outscored the Swarm 5-2 to emerge with the victory.
The same two teams will meet for a rematch at the Xcel Energy
Centre in St. Paul, Minnesota next Friday night (6:30 p.m. start
time). The Riggers will return home to the ’Dome to take on
the Washington Stealth on Saturday, Jan. 23 (7:30 p.m. start time).
