Last season Calgary came into Rochester up 1-0 in the Finals. Game 2 was as close as it can get for 45 minutes as Calgary was only down by a goal. All that was needed was the Roughnecks to win the final quarter by two goals to hoist the Champion’s Cup. But Rochester put up six goals to win 16-10, tying the series at a game each, forcing the mini-game.
After 4;40 of the mini game, Calgary looked to have the momentum being up 2-0. But when the 7:46 mark hit the Knighthawks blitzed them for three goals in 1:15 to take the Cup from the Roughnecks grip.
As they came into camp for the 2015 season, Calgary’s goal was to return to the Champion’s Cup and win it. They return a majority of the 2014 roster for this season; the key loss is the retirement of Scott Ranger. But Matty Dinsdale has stepped up during the preseason and looks to be the front runner to take that slot. Big shoes to fill, but Dinsdale has the talent to do it.
Dan MacRae and Garrett MacIntosh were stellar last season on the back line. They made it very difficult for the opposition’s offense to get into the zone and generate many easy opportunities. Key addition on defense is the return of Jeff Moleski. Jeff spent his first six years with the Roughnecks before spending the last four seasons with the Stealth. No doubt having Moleski back on defense will make it more difficult.
In 2014 the Roughnecks finished 12-6 in regular season (second place in west/third overall) and 4-3 in the playoffs (including mini-games)
Between the pipes you have Mike Poulin. Poulin had a great 2014 season, after a sub-par 2013 season. No doubt he will be the one carrying the bulk of the playing time this season.
On offense you have a pack of dynamite returning in Shawn Evans (26 G, 79 A), Dane Dobbie (51 G, 39 A), Jeff Shattler (35 G, 49 A) and Curtis “Superman” Dickson (44 G, 28 A) who can score at will. Turn your head and before you know it they pump in 4-5 goals. The loss of Scott Ranger to retirement will be huge, but Matty Dinsdale should continue his pace he had in the preseason.
Once again Calgary’s big test will be Edmonton. They knocked off the Rush in playoffs and just need to get over the last hump of the Champion’s Cup. With Curt Malawsky and his staff, he will have this team running on all cylinders come opening night.
And let’s not forget, Geoff Snider (17 G, 16 A). Not only will he win a majority of his face-offs (73.02 percent career), but Snider can also win the draw and go in on net and score within seconds. So the opponents will have their hands full.
NLL teams beware… Roughnecks are on a mission, and that mission ends with hoisting the Champion’s Cup.
Calgary Roughnecks–2015
Forwards (5): Curtis Dickson, Matthew Dinsdale, Dane Dobbie, Jeff Shattler, Daryl Veltman.
Transition (5): Travis Cornwall, Karsen Leung, Curtis Manning, Peter McFetridge, Geoff Snider.
Defensemen (8): Mike Carnegie, Scott Carnegie, Greg Harnett, Jon Harnett, Dan MacRae, Andrew McBride, Garrett McIntosh, Jeff Moleski.
Goaltenders (2): Mike Poulin, Frankie Scigliano.
Practice Squad: Connor Goodwin (F), Patrick O’Meara (D), Tor Reinholdt (T), Tyson Roe (T).
Physically Unable to Perform List: Shawn Evans (F).
