CALGARY ROUGHNECKS (7-9) at VANCOUVER STEALTH (6-9)
WHEN: Saturday, April 15 at 8 p.m. MT
WHERE: Langley Events Centre
TV/RADIO: NLLTV.com
SEASON SERIES: 2-1 for VAN
LAST MEETING: Vancouver won, 13-10, in Calgary, on Feb. 18
It’s the biggest game of the Roughnecks schedule to date.
With each team eyeing the final playoff spot in the West, Saturday’s affair will be nothing short of intense.
Vancouver is heading home after a 16-12 road loss to the Saskatchewan Rush, while Calgary enters the game full of confidence after defeating three Eastern opponents in consecutive weeks.
Separated by only a half-game in the standings, this tilt will be a major factor in the final standings. That being said, fans should expect to see a physical, determined effort from both teams.
QUOTABLES:
Curt Malawsky on playing Vancouver: “It’s for all the marbles next week. That’s what the guys play for. Especially where we came from. I think about five weeks ago we’d all take that. These guys have earned that chance. It’s going to be an exciting weekend next weekend.”
Curtis Dickson on the team’s play: “This is the type of lacrosse we should have been playing all season. I don’t know where this has been all year, but better late than never I guess. We’re not at our goal yet. We’ve still got a long ways to go.”
Dane Dobbie on the team’s mentality: “We’re playing muscling lacrosse. The last three games have been a playoff mentality for us: Win, we’re okay. Lose, we’re done. Next weekend is no different. Everybody’s been playing this game since we were kids. We know the ins and outs. The coaches put the game plan together and we follow it.”
STATISTICS:
ROUGHNECKS
STEALTH
Leading Scorer
Curtis Dickson, 46g, 50a
Corey Small, 39g, 53a
Leading Goaltender
Frank Scigliano, .765 SV%, 12.17 GAA
Tye Belanger, .787 SV%, 11.37 GAA
Powerplay
49/92, 53.26%
37/74, 50.00%
Penalty Kill
41/82, 50.00%
32/55, 41.82%
KEY PLAYERS TO WATCH:
CGY – Dane Dobbie
Each time this season when Dobbie has had a game with two or less points, he’s rebounded for at least six points the next weekend. Guess what? He’s coming off of a two-assist performance against the Bandits and everyone knows he’ll be looking to explode on the scoresheet against the Stealth this season. Will we see Dobbie go off for six or more points this weekend? We sure hope so.
VAN – Corey Small
Not only is Small the Stealth’s top scorer in 2017, he also feasts when playing against the Roughnecks. In three games this season, the lefty forward has compiled 20 points (11g, 9a) against his division opponent. Playing by far the best lacrosse of his career, Small will be a player to watch, not only for the fans, but for each Roughnecks defender.
FUN FACT
The Stealth are not feeling comfortable in the Langley Events Centre this season, holding a 2-5 record at home.
KEYS TO THE GAME:
Earlier this season, the Roughnecks had a hard time staying out of the penalty box and racked up significantly more penalties than any other team. In the first two games against the Stealth, they awarded their opponents 17 powerplay chances and received just eight themselves. It flipped in the next game as they earned six to Vancouver’s three. It will be important for the Roughnecks to keep the game at even strength and avoid giving the dangerous Stealth forwards any extra time and space to operate.
