March 9, 2019
CALGARY RUNS PAST TORONTO 15-9
Rock Unable To Stop Roughnecks’ Special Teams
Calgary, AB – On Saturday night, the Calgary Roughnecks (6-6) defeated the Toronto Rock (7-3) by a score of 15-9 at the Scotiabank Saddledome in Calgary, AB. Two consecutive Rock road losses have tightened up the East Division standings in a big way.
“I think we need to look at this one and look at ourselves over the last month and get better form that, this isn’t something you can just pass off,” said Rock Head Coach Matt Sawyer. “We need to look at it and analyze it and find ways to become a better team.”
Prior to the game, the team scratched forward Adam Jones and defender Sheldon Burns with minor lower body injuries. Defender Adam Jay stepped into Burns’ spot in the lineup making his NLL debut and forward Phil Caputo drew in on the offensive side for Jones.
While the offence had a lot of shots in the game, Sawyer wasn’t happy with the quality of chances the team generated.
“That shot total is just a number and it’s about the opportunities and where you’re getting them from,” said Sawyer. “We were quite content, two games in a row now, New England was the same thing, to stay on the outside and take our shots out there. We were getting our shots from where they wanted us to take them from.”
The special teams storyline was written early with Calgary’s Dan MacRae scoring the game’s first goal shorthanded. Of the eleven goals that were scored in the first half, only four were at even strength. The Rock scored just three times, with one coming while shorthanded and another on the power play. Not only were the Roughnecks connecting whether it was a man down or a man up, they also converted in transition to build an 8-3 lead at the half.
That storyline continued in the second half. Both teams were giving the other side the chance to work on the power play, but it was the Roughnecks continuing to punish the Rock with another pair of power play goals in the second half. In total, Calgary finished the game five-for-seven on the power play and added three shorthanded goals into the mix.
Dan Lintner was the only shooter to score more than once as he potted three goals. Singles came from Brock Sorensen, Johnny Powless, Challen Rogers, Dan Craig, Bill Hostrawser and Latrell Harris. Tom Schreiber was held without a goal, but did chip in with four assists.
“We came out of a bye week and we obviously weren’t ready to play tonight,” said Lintner. “We can’t come out and play games like that. Flat out in this league if you come and try to play a game like that, you’re going to lose every time.”
Nick Rose faced a barrage of shots from the Roughnecks in transition and on the power play, making 29 saves and suffering just his third loss of the season. His counterpart Christian Del Bianco made 46 saves on 55 Rock shots.
One week from tonight, the Rock return home to play the Rochester Knighthawks at Scotiabank Arena. Fans will have an opportunity through various avenues to support the Smilezone Foundation as it is the Rock’s annual Charity Night. Following the game, fans will have an opportunity to bid on the game worn jerseys right off the back of their favourite player. You can register now for a bidder number at torontorock.com/auction.
2018-19 Toronto Rock Single Game Tickets along with the 4 Game Pack and 6 Ticket Flex Pack are on sale now. To purchase or for more information, please visit torontorock.com or call 416-596-3075.
