The Calgary Roughnecks proved their resilience as they withstood a fourth-quarter surge from the Saskatchewan Rush to secure a 12-10 victory.
The game, which took place at the SaskTel Centre in Saskatoon, was a highly anticipated matchup between the two fierce rivals. Both teams came into the game with a record of 2-2, making it a crucial game for both sides.
The Roughnecks started off strong, taking an early lead in the first quarter with goals from Curtis Dickson and Jesse King. However, the Rush quickly responded with goals from Ben McIntosh and Mark Matthews, tying the game at 2-2.
The second quarter saw a back-and-forth battle between the two teams, with the Roughnecks managing to maintain a slight lead. However, the Rush continued to put pressure on the Roughnecks’ defense, with goals from Ryan Keenan and Jeff Shattler.
Heading into the third quarter, the Roughnecks held a narrow 7-6 lead. But the Rush came out strong, scoring three consecutive goals to take a 9-7 lead. The Roughnecks, however, refused to back down and responded with four goals of their own, including a hat-trick from Dane Dobbie.
In the final quarter, the Rush made a valiant effort to come back, scoring one goal after another. But the Roughnecks’ defense held strong, with goaltender Christian Del Bianco making several crucial saves to secure the win.
The Roughnecks’ head coach, Curt Malawsky, praised his team’s performance, stating, “We knew it was going to be a tough game, but our guys showed a lot of heart and determination to come out on top.”
The win puts the Roughnecks in a strong position in the West Division, while the Rush will look to bounce back in their next game.
The Roughnecks will now head back to Calgary for their next game against the Colorado Mammoth, while the Rush will face the San Diego Seals in their next matchup.
Overall, it was an intense and hard-fought game between two top teams in the National Lacrosse League. The Roughnecks’ ability to withstand the Rush’s fourth-quarter surge and come out on top is a testament to their skill and determination. Fans can expect more thrilling matchups between these two rivals in the future.
