By: Laurence Heinen – 19.04.25
Clutch performance equals NLL playoff berth for the Roughnecks.
Led by a seven-point performance by Curtis Dickson, the Roughnecks (10-8) downed the Colorado Mammoth 11-5 in front of 15,203 enthusiastic fans at the Rough House.
While Curtis Dickson scored four times and added three assists, Haiden Dickson also had a great game with two goals and one helper.
Tanner Cook also chipped in with two goals and an assist, while Tyler Pace, Reece Callies and Justin Inacio also scored for the Riggers, who finished the 2024-25 campaign with three straight victories.
Goalie Nick Rose made 47 saves and added an assist for good measure as he finished with a 4-3 record as a Roughneck.
Haiden Dickson opened the scoring for the Riggers 5:06 into the game before the Mammoth answered back with two quick goals to take a 2-1 lead into the second quarter.
After the visitors extended their advantage to 3-1, Curtis Dickson slinged a sidearm shot from the slot past Mammoth goalie Dillon Ward to pull the home side within one.
Pace then tallied a power-play goal at 8:23 of the second quarter before Dickson scored on a breakaway 61 seconds later.
Inacio then won the ensuing faceoff, ran into the Colorado zone and notched his second goal of the season to give the ’Necks three goals in a span of 68 seconds.
After the visitors got one back, the Riggers went on another run as Cook, Callies and Curtis Dickson scored three goals in quick succession, this time in a span of 70 seconds.
The dynamic Dickson duo kept things rolling in the third quarter as Haiden scored another power-play goal – his fourth in the past two games – at 1:30, while Curtis notched his fourth of the contest at 12:06 to put Calgary up 10-4.
Cook tallied his second goal of the night into an empty net with 56 seconds remaining in the game to round out the scoring.
NEXT UP:
Playoffs baby! The Roughnecks will head east to play the Halifax Thunderbirds in the opening round of the playoffs on Saturday, April 26
STAT PACK:
Curtis Dickson: 4g, 3a
Haiden Dickson 2g, 1a
Tanner Cook: 2g, 1a
Justin Inacio: 1g
Tyler Pace: 1g
Reece Callies: 1g
Dane Dobbie: 2g
Jesse King: 2a
Ethan Ticehurst: 1a
Eli Salama: 1a
Harrison Matsuoka: 1a
Brayden Mayea: 1a
Nick Rose 47 saves, 1a
COACH’S COMMENT
“We always talk about it’s like a playoff game in the regular season. Well, this actually was, because we had to win to get in and we didn’t want to worry about favours – just do our job and that started in Vegas last night. Then we had a bit of a slow start here, but (from) that second quarter on, I thought we were really good. Our defence was really physical, which we’ve been talking about and that’s why they’re putting up single digit numbers and Nick’s been great in net and then our offence scored timely goals.”
“I couldn’t be happier for the guys (and) couldn’t be happier for our fans, because we’ve had a few duds here this year. So, I’m just happy that we had our best home game and at the most important time, so thanks to the fans for the support. All the credit goes to the guys – that back-to-back where you’re traveling from Vegas, they were so prepared and they just weren’t going to get denied.”
SAY WHAT:
“We obviously built a big lead last night (in 11-8 win over Vegas Desert Dogs) and kind of took our foot off the gas, so that wasn’t something that we wanted to replicate tonight. We wanted to keep that that spread and cruise to a bit of an easier victory, rather than make it a one- or two-goal game late, so can’t say enough of about Rosey and the defence tonight. In a playoff atmosphere, letting in five goals, that’s incredible. Hats off to them. They give us all the confidence in the world up front, knowing we didn’t need to go out there and score a shift and it was just an outstanding performance.” – Curtis Dickson
“Obviously, the first goal of any team at the sort of the season is (to) punch a ticket to the playoffs. We knew we wanted to go in the front door and obviously came out and had a great effort and did that tonight. It’s awesome playing out here (in front of the fans). I said it out here as a visitor (when he played for Toronto Rock), you know how loud it can get, but when they’re behind you, it’s awesome and we’re hoping to get back here in front of them here soon.” – Nick Rose
