By: Riley Pollock – 25.11.23
The Roughnecks used a strong start and 53 saves from Christian Del Bianco to take away a 14-12 win over the Saskatchewan Rush on Saturday night in Moose Jaw.
The Riggers head into the regular season after winning all three preseason contests.
The Saskatchewan Rush host the Calgary Roughnecks in Pre-season action at Moose Jaw Events Centre in Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan, Canada, November 25, 2023
It was a quick start for the Riggers as Eli Salama found the back of the net 15-seconds in to make the score 1-0.
Tanner Cook ripped a far-side bounce shot shortly after making it 2-0.
The Rush would answer with one of their own quickly to make the score 2-1
Jesse King regained the Riggers two-goal lead with a shot from the top, it was 3-1.
Thomas Vela continued the hot start for the Roughnecks before the Rush countered, the score was 4-2.
Tanner Cook added his second of the quarter with just over two-minutes to go to make it 5-2.
Saskatchewan potted one more before the end of the quarter to make the score 5-3 after one.
The Roughnecks got a powerplay to start the second-quarter however, it was the Rush would strike making the score 5-4.
Vela got his second of the night and his fourth point and Cook picked up a first half hat-trick to make the score 7-4.
Saskatchewan countered with two of their own, it was 7-6 with just under five-minutes gone in the second-quarter.
Shane Simpson scored a beauty in transition on a full-floor pass from Zach Currier to make the score 8-6.
Ethan Ticehurst added to the ‘Necks lead after beating the Rush goalie to a lose ball and fired it into the empty net, the score was 9-6 heading into the half.
The Saskatchewan Rush host the Calgary Roughnecks in Pre-season action at Moose Jaw Events Centre in Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan, Canada, November 25, 2023
Saskatchewan opened the scoring just under four-minutes into the second-half making it 9-7.
King scored his second of the night to get the Riggers to double digits making the score 10-7.
The Rush would get back within two with a bouncer through the legs of Christian Del Bianco to make the score 10-8.
They would add another to make it a one-goal game heading into the final quarter.
Saskatchewan tied the game 10-10 just over one-minute into the fourth-quarter.
Josh Currier regained the Riggers lead with a beautiful diving dunk to make the score 11-10.
Tyler Pace extended the lead to two with a bouncer from just outside the crease to make it 12-10 with four-minutes gone in the final frame.
The Rush got one back shortly after making the score 12-11
Saskatchewan tied the game 12-12 with 5:46 remaining with a behind the net dunk.
King picked up his hat-trick off a beautiful pick set by Riley Isaacs to make the score 13-12.
Pace scored his second of the night with a quick-stick on a rebound to make the score 14-12 with 3:17 remaining.
Del Bianco stood tall the rest of the way making the final 14-12.
The Roughnecks wrap up their preseason 3-0.
UP NEXT
The Riggers regular season begins Dec. 2 in Rochester
STAT PACK
Christian Del Bianco: 1a, 53 saves on 65 shots,
Thomas Vela: 2g, 2a
Tyler Pace: 2g, 2a
Jesse King: 3g
Tanner Cook: 3g
Dan Taylor: 4a,
Josh Currier: 1g, 2a,
Eli Salama: 1g,
Shane Simpson: 1g
Ethan Ticehurst: 1g
Haiden Dickson: 1a,
Reece Callies: 1a
Bennett Smith: 1a
Zach Currier: 1a
Jeff Cornwall: 1a
