Go! ‘Necks! Go!

For the last few games, the Calgary Roughnecks have been on a steady rise. Sure, they were in the running for the playoffs but over the last 6 games they’ve actually started to look like a championship team. Goals are being scored by all the top players and everyone else, “The Door” Curtis Palidwor is in tip top shape right now, and the team stats just keep going up.

Most importantly — at least to me and three or four other people — are the powerplay stats. For the first 2/3rd’s of the season the Roughnecks powerplay has been abysmal. They would average 1–2 out of 6–8 which is far below the league average for powerplays. These numbers, in case you haven’t been keeping track, are steadily going up though. The boys are generally getting at least 50% or higher on their powerplays now. Currently placed 4th overall for the powerplay in the entire NLL.

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Ooooh boy, what a game. What started out as a nicely rounded butt-kicking turned into another nail-bitter. My roommate, after taking several deep breaths following the game, decided that she definitely doesn’t like that particular game plan when it comes to the Roughnecks. I would rather they have a huge lead to defend than play catch-up all game. No matter what our thoughts are, watching a 7 goal lead slowly dwindle down to a one or two goal lead is somewhat disheartening and stressful at the same time.

Let’s get into it shall we. The first quarter started strong for the Calgary Roughnecks with Kaleb Toth scoring twice in the first five minutes. Dan Dawson was first to put one in for the Arizona Sting but would also prove to be the only one capable of doing so in the first frame. Lewis Ratcliff, Tracey Kelusky, and Jeff Moleski all contributed to a definitive Calgary lead, closing the quarter at 5–1.

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Just a quick reminder that Friday, April 7th, 2006 is the cutoff day for reserving your season ticket seat for the playoffs. You can either call the Roughneck office at (403) 294-9244 or download this form and fax it to the number provided on the form.

After Friday, all unclaimed/reserved season ticket seats will be available to purchase for the playoff game the weekend of April 21st (exact date to be determined). NLL playoff ticket prices for Calgary are as follows:

• Club 115–122 “Club Kelusky” — $37
• Sections 111–107 “Club Toth” — $35
• Regular lower/upper bowl — $30

Ticket prices do not include GST or facility fee.

As a result of this weekends lacrosse action, the Calgary Roughnecks have clinched a playoff spot. Currently one of three teams tied for first place — the others being the Colorado Mammoth and the expansion Portland Lumberjax — with a record of 8–5, leaving the Arizona Sting and San Jose Stealth fighting for the final playoff spot.

A specific date has not been decided yet but the first playoff game will be held the weekend of April 21st. Season ticket holders can reserve their seats for whatever day the game may be. To reserve your seat download this PDF form (right click and choose “Save file”), fill it out and send it into the Roughneck office. In the event that the game is not held in Calgary, the purchase price of the playoff ticket will be credited towards next years season tickets.

Heading into these final four games, each team in the west is looking for any opportunity to set themselves apart and clinch a playoff spot. This weekend is vitally important for all west division teams especially. As it stands now, at least two of those teams — the Calgary Roughnecks and Portland Lumberjax — could clinch playoff berths depending on the outcome of the Colorado Mammoth – Arizona Sting game.

The San Jose Stealth started off the game with an impressive 2 goal lead in the first four minutes of the game. Those two goals turned out to be the only goals for the Stealth in the first as Calgary retaliated shortly after. Jason Wulder (2) and Lewis Ratcliff put little “G”’s beside their names and put Calgary up 3–2 at the end of the first quarter. Ratcliff’s only goal of the game and Wulder’s second were both on the powerplay.

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According to the Calgary Sun, Travis Gillespie has left the Calgary Roughnecks. Gillespie has taken a position with Coquitlam fire department. His position includes a year long probationary period and Travis doesn’t want to jeopardize his chances by getting injured.

This puts the Roughnecks in a bit of a bind but at the same time is fantastic news for Gillespie. I’ve heard that he has been trying for this position for quite a while. Coquitlam is apparently the same fire department that hired John Olsen — a former Roughneck. As far as I know, this position is immediate and Travis is already in Coquitlam.

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Due to a simple yet stupid mistake on my part the National Lacrosse League standings and schedules were offline for a while. Today, the problem has been fixed and both are back online. Because this was such a boneheaded mistake I made I’d rather not get into the details but it’s safe to say that I’ve learned my lesson, I think.

Speaking of schedules, I’ve been thinking about what to do with the schedule page after the season is over. One option is to show all this years games, in chronological order of course, and list the final scores — not unlike the schedule page on nll.com. Of course I would only show games that involve our Roughnecks but hey, that’s what this site is for.