The Calgary Roughnecks have now completed two weeks of training camp and the first of three scrimmages. With one more weekend to go, including two more scrimmages, time is running out for the team to tighten up the roster.
Head coach Curt Malawsky has been happy with what he’s seen so far. “The athleticism really showed through and we were hoping for that from the coaches’ perspective.”
Talking about their scrimmage against the Vancouver Stealth last weekend, where Calgary was able to hang on for a 9-8 win, Malawsky noted, “Coach (Bruce) Codd was very impressed with the guys pushing the ball out of the backend. Our defence was phenomenal in the first half. They switched out their whole team at the half so they were a little bit fresher than we were. We’re going to have to be able to battle through a little adversity. We held on and that’s what is important.”
Looking ahead to the final weekend of camp, to be held in Oakville and Hagersville, Ontario, some intense training will be in order to prep for scrimmages against the Minnesota Swarm on Saturday at the Toronto Rock Athletic Centre and Sunday against the Rochester Knighthawks at the Iroquois Lacrosse Arena.
“Offensively we’re going to have to be a bit more patient with the ball,” predicted Malawsky. “I think sometimes we went to the net a little bit early and we went on a dry spell with, I think, only one in the second half. We will definitely have to be better on the offensive end. We have to spread the floor and work a bit harder and smarter.”
Rookie transition Tor Reinholdt, who is trying to make the squad, has been very happy with how training camp has gone so far. “Communication has been great. All the vets try to help you out and tell you where to go.”
Some cuts have already been made. Forwards Darren Kinnear and Colin Hill were released last Tuesday. But more cuts will have to be made.
Announcements of the final 20-man roster are expected to be made on Monday, Dec. 16.
