Roughnecks powerplay improving
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.
On the flip-side, our defense has always been fairly tight this season but most of the time seemed one or two steps out of sync. That has changed as well. Our shortman — penalty kill — play has improved dramatically. The Roughnecks are regularly holding their opponents to under 50% on their powerplays. This impressive record on the penalty kill is ranked 2nd overall in the National Lacrosse League.
Some of the keys to these improvements that I’ve noticed:
- Forward’s playing a bit of defense on fast transitions
- Faster substitutions
- Better man-to-man coverage
- Keeping the pace
- Staying rough but fewer actual penalties
- More goals by more players