When a 4-game losing streak come to an end, it’s disheartening. Especially when it happens in overtime. On the road. That’s what happened to the Calgary Roughnecks on Saturday night when they dropped a 10-9 National Lacrosse League decision to the Colorado Mammoth. And while coach Curt Malawsky made known well his point about the disparity in penalties during that game, there is one aspect that’s become a point of pride: His team’s composure.
“There was no bickering, no yelling or screaming at the referee,” Malawsky told the Calgary Herald. “We weren’t getting calls and we stayed the course. It’s a tribute to our leadership group. This time last year, that game could have turned into a 17-8 rout, but it didn’t. This team is never out of it.”
By no means are the Riggers out of it. Their 6-4 record might not be where they want it to be, but they’re in second place in the NLL’s West Division, leading the Mammoth by a full 2 games. That’s important because the season series with Colorado is done, and the Mammoth won that, 2-1.
But if the Roughnecks had any thoughts of sulking about the OT loss, those thoughts better get gone in a hurry. Calgary is home to Edmonton on Friday before next week’s road game against Vancouver. Those are the last 2 division games the Roughnecks have before a string of 3 straight games against the East.
If Malawsky has his team pegged correctly, though, that sulking won’t be an issue.
“We have an opportunity to get back at it next week and I know the guys are hungry and they’re upset. They have something to prove,” said Malawsky. “We’re excited to play against the West Division leaders right now. It’ll be a big game for Calgary.”
