Go! ‘Necks! Go!

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.

(more…)

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.

(more…)

As always when the Calgary Roughnecks play the defending NLL champion Toronto Rock it’s going to be tight and it always excites.

Considering both teams are recent league champions and they’ve had a bitter rivalry for more than a few years, these games tend to get quite rough. Last years final regular season game between the Roughnecks and Rock took place in Calgary and I was there. At one point all the players on the playing field at the time, including the goalies, fought — back to back mind you, one fight right after the other.

(more…)

It was the first game of the 2006 season that Andrew Leyshon was given the nod to start. This, of course, was based on his stellar performance against the Mammoth in game 9.

After the decisive win in Edmonton the Roughnecks had an early wake up call to hop on the bus and head down to San Jose. Now, when I say early, I mean early. We’re talking 3:45am after a game night. Of course, this is the life that the boys choose and it’s just part of the game until the NLL gains more popularity and has more pull with the arenas. Anyway, on to the game.

(more…)

I was going to post a nice list of highlights in the game 10 recap but I decided there were enough of them to warrant a separate entry. On that note, I’d like to present my list of game 10 highlights.

To start off these highlights, how about a nice little quote from Brendan Shanahan of the Detroit Red Wings. Rogers Sportsnet managed to catch up with him early in the game for a quick interview. Apparently Shanahan is a former lacrosse player himself — as I’m sure quite a few hockey players are — and loves watching the games in Minnesota, Philly, and Edmonton. When asked why people should check out a lacrosse game Shanahan responded, in part, by saying, “[…] the only players tougher than hockey players, are lacrosse players.” How’s that for an endorsement.

(more…)

Oooooh what feeling, what a rush. At least that’s what Edmonton would probably be playing had they maintained their two goal lead in the first quarter. Unfortunately for them, they lost that two goal lead 11 minutes into the first frame and remained behind for the rest of the game.

I can finally say that last night the Roughnecks were actually looking like the championship team they are. It’s definitely been a long haul this season and many a fan has been with me on this roller-coaster. Posting their highest goals against for the year, the Calgary Roughnecks managed a decisive victory in the last battle of alberta for the 2006 season.

(more…)

Ah, I don’t know anyone who doesn’t like watching video’s of lacrosse. I also don’t know why my camera was acting up last night and not focusing when I was trying to take some still shots. Since that was the case, I thought I’d take video of last weekends game since my little Canon Powershot has the capability to do so.

Disclaimer: Although my hand was steadier than the McNish Stachniak fight video, there certainly isn’t any stabilizing mechanisms in my camera. Some of the video may be a bit blurry or seem a bit distant even though I’m in row 8 in section 122. Unfortunately my camera won’t let me zoom in after I’ve started recording.
(more…)

This weekend I fully expected to be greatly entertained by the Roughnecks as they played the Colorado Mammoth. What I wasn’t expecting to leave the arena feeling as physically and emotionally drained as I did.

Some people were considering this a very important game for both teams given the current parity in the league. Going into this weekend the NLL had a tie for first in the West and three teams within 1.5 games behind those leaders.
(more…)

For the past several years the East has dominated the All-Star Game, this year things are different. It’s quite fitting really, especially given the parity of the league right now.

While the East did lead for most of the game our boys from the West always kept it a close game — even taking the lead a couple times in the first half. The third quarter was definitely controlled by the East. (more…)

It was announced today that #17, Tracey Kelusky, will be wearing the big A for the west in the All-Star Game this weekend. Arizona defender Peter Lough will be the captain, and Colorado Mammoth forward Gavin Prout will serve as the other alternate captain for the west.

The east will be captained by Toronto Rock forward Jim Veltman. The two alternate captain spots will go to Buffalo Bandits forward John Tavares and Rochester Knighthawks defenseman Steve Toll.

The Sportsnet network will be airing the All-Star Game live starting at 2pm MST from the Air Canada Centre in Toronto.