CALGARY ROUGHNECKS (8-10) vs. COLORADO MAMMOTH (11-7)
WHEN: Saturday, May 5, 2018 at 7:00 p.m. MT
WHERE: Pepsi Center
TV/RADIO: NLLTV.com
SEASON SERIES: 1-2
LAST MEETING: Colorado defeated Calgary 8-7 at the Pepsi Center on March 10.
The Roughnecks head to Denver this Saturday for the first-round of the NLL Playoffs, taking on the Colorado Mammoth in the West Division Semi-Final. Despite a close 11-10 loss to the Saskatchewan Rush at the Sasktel Centre on April 28, the Riggers are heading into the playoffs with momentum. Regardless of last weekend’s result, the Riggers fired on all cylinders against the Rush, and recently trounced the Vancouver Stealth 26-11 at the Langley Events Centre on April 21.
Colorado heads into the contest after shaking off a three-game losing skid, ending the Toronto Rock’s season with a 19-15 victory at the Pepsi Center on April 28.
The last time the clubs met in the post-season, the Riggers took the 2016 West Division Semi-Final 11-10 on May 7 at the Pepsi Center. The Mammoth franchise is a familiar playoff opponent for the Riggers, who have faced them nine times in the semifinal going 8-1. However the impressive record means little, given it’s been two years since their last post-season tilt and both rosters have had significant changes.
The Riggers have a big test ahead in the one-and-done first-round as they take on their division rival’s powerful defence, and netminder Dillon Ward (11.06 GAA, .781 sv%).
| Roughnecks | Mammoth | |
| Leading Scorer | Curtis Dickson (47g, 45a) | Ryan Benesch (36g, 57a) |
| Leading Goaltender | Christian Del Bianco (10.50 GAA, .793 sv%) | Dillon Ward (11.06 GAA, .781 sv%) |
| 2017/18 Powerplay | 46.5% | 53.3% |
| 2017/18 Penalty Kill | 53.2% | 55.4% |
KEY PLAYERS TO WATCH:
CGY – Dane Dobbie
Out of all Calgary forwards, Dobbie has the most experience in West Division Semi-Finals. The veteran has notched 33 points in six playoff games against the Mammoth, and scored the game-winner in 2016. The all-time franchise points-leader has earned 14 against Colorado this campaign, which means he’ll be trouble for Mammoth defenders.
COL – Joey Cupido
Cupido has been an asset to Colorado this season: the defender has 27 points on the year (16+11) and has scooped 111 loose balls. Most recently he managed a hat-trick and two helpers, along with seven loosies, against the Rock. Cupido has faced the Roughnecks in four post-season tilts, and after going 0-4 against the club he’ll be looking to even the score.
KEYS TO THE GAME:
The Riggers’ offence must click in Denver to find success, and they’ll have to focus on finding quality shots against Dillon Ward. Special teams will also play a role in the win as the Riggers go up against No.-1 penalty-kill, and fourth-best powerplay in the league.
