The Calgary Roughnecks host the Colorado Mammoth on Friday, Jan. 10 in their home opener of their 2014 season.
The Roughnecks return home this weekend after a disappointing start to the season. They dropped a 16-11 decision to the Toronto Rock last weekend in a game they were never really in after getting behind 7-3 in the first quarter.
In the weekly Coaches Media Conference, Calgary head coach Curt Malawsky put the loss down to being outworked by Toronto.
“They out-ground balled us all over the floor,” said Malawsky. “You take out Geoff Snider, he had 18 ground balls off the face off. Their offensive guys out-groundballed our defensive guys by 16 and, you know, that tells the story because typically your D guys get the ball. And if Colin Doyle and Garrett Billings and the great accompaniment they’ve got on the defensive end get 16 more possessions than you, there’s no question they’re gonna put up 16, 17 goals. So we have to come out and compete.”
Billings scooped up 14 loose balls in that game, leading to a 10-point night to lead all scorers.
Malawsky expects that the team will step things up on Friday night against the Mammoth.
“I know a lot of (the younger players) have promised a better effort and I know the character and the passion that we’ve got in this group and especially our leadership group, they’re gonna answer the bell so, tough loss but we’re gonna learn from it we’re coming back real hungry and we’re excited to get back home.”
After a bit of a slow start, Roughnecks goalie Mike Poulin had a solid start, making 45 saves on the night. If he can get off to a stronger start against Colorado, he’ll put his team right back into the thick of things.
Shawn Evans picked up right where he left off last year, with an eight-point night, while Jeff Shattler scored four times.
The Mammoth, who are off to a 1-1 start to the season are looking forward to the challenge against Calgary.
“They’re the team that put us out of the playoffs last year and we have a really good rivalry with the Roughnecks and we’re looking forward to getting on the road after two home games,” said head coach Bob Hamley.
Adam Jones has gotten off to an excellent start, amassing 10 points in two games, including seven goals. John Grant Jr. has also had a typically strong start with nine points already.
The biggest question for the Mammoth at this early stage in the season has been their goaltending. No. 1 goalie Tye Belanger has been pulled in both of their games, making way for rookie Dillon Ward.
Hamley announced that the decision as to who would start in Clagary has yet to be determined.
“We’re gonna make that decision when we get up to Calgary,” said Hamley. “We’re confident in both guys. Pulling Tye on Saturday against Vancouver was more of a momentum thing than it was Tye playing bad so we’re very happy with both young guys and we’ll make that decision when we get to Calgary.”
Colorado has the momentum at this stage of the season, having already earned their first win of the year. Additionally, they handed the Roughnecks an overtime loss in Calgary’s home opener last year so they have history on their side.
Still, expect Calgary to come out with more energy and force the Mammoth to earn every possession. It should be a hard-fought battle and I expect the margin of victory to be no more than a single goal.
