RIGGER RAMBLINGS: The Calgary Roughnecks begin their 2018-19 road schedule tonight when they visit the Vancouver Warriors’ new barn, Rogers Arena. The Riggers will look to rebound following their 14-13 overtime setback against the Warriors last Saturday at the Scotiabank Saddledome. Calgary held a 12-8 advantage heading into the fourth quarter and the Warriors were able to string together five unanswered goals tying it up with just 0:22 left in the game. Matt Beers scored 4:17 into overtime to secure the win for the visitors. Dane Dobbie (5g, 4a) led the Roughnecks with nine points followed by Tyler Pace (2g, 4a) with six. Logan Schuss (3g, 6a) matched Dobbie’s nine-point effort for Vancouver.
VS. VANCOUVER: Tonight marks the second of three regular season meetings between the Roughnecks and Warriors. Vancouver holds the advantage in the season series following last weekend’s 14-13 overtime win at the Scotiabank Saddledome. Calgary swept their four-game series during the 2017-18 regular season and outscored Vancouver by a combined 74-44. Curtis Dickson (14g, 19a) led the Riggers with 33 points while Logan Schuss (8g, 9a) topped the Vancouver Stealth with 15. Next meeting: Saturday, Feb. 2 at Calgary (Scotiabank Saddledome).
2018-19 Regular Season Series Recap
Dec. 15/18 at CGY: VAN 14 CGY 13 OT… Matt Beers scored 4:17 into overtime to push Vancouver past Calgary.
Shots on Goal: CGY 56 VAN 46
Power Plays: CGY 4-7 (57.1%) VAN 2-3 (66.7%)
All-Time Regular Season Records
All-Time vs. VAN: 29-21
All-Time at CGY: 11-13
All-Time at VAN: 18-8
Last CGY Win: Apr. 21/18, 26-11 at the Langley Events Centre
Last VAN Win: Dec. 15/18, 14-13 OT at the Scotiabank Saddledome
HEAD-TO-HEAD: 2018-19 REGULAR SEASON
| Category | Roughnecks (0-1) | Warriors (1-0) |
| Home Record | 0-1 | 0-0 |
| Away Record | 0-0 | 1-0 |
| Goals For | 13 | 14 |
| Goals Against | 14 | 13 |
| Power Play Pct. | 57.14 | 66.67 |
| Penalty Kill Pct. | 33.33 | 42.86 |
| Faceoffs Pct. | 53.1 (17-32) | 46.9 (15-32) |
| Loose Balls | 85 | 71 |
| Points Leader – Series | Dane Dobbie (9) | Logan Schuss (9) |
| Points Leader – Season | Dane Dobbie (9) | Logan Schuss (9) |
DIVISIONAL DIET: Tonight marks the second of four West Division contests for the Roughnecks. During this span, Calgary will also meet San Diego (Dec. 28 at home) and Colorado (Jan. 6 on the road). Last season, the Roughnecks finished 5-5 against West Division opponents.
NLL DEBUTS: Forwards Chris Boushy (selected 31st overall by the Saskatchewan Rush in the 2017 NLL Draft) and Carter Dickson (drafted 45th overall in 2018) along with defence/transition player Shane Simpson (selected 6th overall in 2018) made their NLL debuts in last weekend’s home opener. Boushy recorded two points (1g, 1a) in the home setback while Simpson collected eight loose balls and recorded two turnovers and Dickson took two shots on goal.
DEL BIANCO’S ASSISTS FOR KIDS: On Saturday Roughnecks goaltender, Christian Del Bianco, and the Roughnecks Foundation proudly announced a new charitable program, Del Bianco’s Assists for Kids presented by Ascent Consulting Ltd. The partnership will see both Del Bianco and the Calgary Roughnecks Foundation direct $30 while Ascent Consulting Ltd. donates $500 for every regular season assist recorded by the Calgary goaltender. In addition, Del Bianco is auctioning off his helmet on ElevateAuctions.com, which features the KidSport logo. Auction details will be communicated in the new year. Del Bianco tallied 17 assists during the 2017-18 regular season and hopes to increase his point total this year.
FRESH FACES: The 21-player active roster includes 14 returning players and seven new faces: free agents Rhys Duch and Chris Boushy join forward Dan Taylor, acquired from the Toronto Rock on Aug. 13. Four players from Calgary’s 2018 draft class: defencemen/transition players Shane Simpson (first round, sixth overall), Eli Salama (first round, 12th overall), Reece Callies (first round, 13th overall) and forward Carter Dickson (third round, 45th overall) round out the 2018-19 Roughnecks active roster.
MILESTONE MARKERS: On Dec. 15, Dan MacRae eclipsed 600 loose balls while Chris Boushy recorded his first NLL goal and assist on the same night.
RECORD WHEN:
Leading at halftime …… 0-1 Outshooting opponent .…… 0-1
Trailing at halftime ……. 0-0 Outshot by opponent …..….. 0-0
Tied at halftime …….…. 0-0 Shots are tied ……..………… 0-0
ROUGHNECKS MONTH-BY-MONTH: December (0-1).
ROUGHNECKS VS.: (BUF 0-0), (COL 0-0), (GA 0-0), (NE 0-0), (PHI 0-0), (ROC 0-0), (SD 0-0), (SAS 0-0), (TOR 0-0), (VAN 0-1).
HOW THE 2018-19 ROUGHNECKS WERE BUILT (21):
NLL Draft (13): Bell, Callies*, Cummings, Currier, Del Bianco, Carter Dickson*, Dobbie, Harnett, Kalinich, MacRae, Pace, Salama*, Simpson*
Trade (3): Loewen, Taylor, Wilde
Free Agent (5): Boushy*, Burton, Carnegie, Duch, Richards
*Denotes rookie
POST-GAME AUTOGRAPHS: After each home game, fans are invited down on the turf through Section 103 where they can meet the Roughnecks players and get autographs.
NEW FAN ZONES: The Roughnecks are excited to introduce three new zones this season that offer the same great entertainment but with an enhanced fan experience and preferred pricing.
- Family Zone: Enjoy the Rough House excitement in our brand new alcohol-free zone located in section 218.
- Student Zone: All University and College students are welcome to party with their peers in sections 203 and 204 for only $15 (plus GST and applicable fees) during every Roughnecks home game. (Available at the Scotiabank Saddledome box office with presentation of valid Student ID or online through TicketMaster.com with valid student email address).
- Rough House Reserved: Get the lowest priced lower bowl tickets for just $20 (plus GST and applicable fees) directly through CalgaryRoughnecks.com. Tickets are available each Monday at 10:00 a.m. prior to all Roughnecks home games (while quantities last).
THE ROAD AHEAD: The Roughnecks now head home to the Scotiabank Saddledome for their only Friday night matchup this season on Dec. 28. Game time is 7:00 p.m. MST. It’s the biggest Ugly Christmas Sweater Party in Calgary as the Riggers take on the San Diego Seals for the first time ever. There will be concourse activities including music, a variety of games and a Christmas photo booth. Fans are encouraged to wear their best (or worst) holiday sweater and bring one to donate to Project Warmth for those in need this holiday season. Project Warmth will also be accepting winter jackets, toques and gloves of all sizes.
