The Calgary Roughnecks head into Toronto sporting their worst ever record to start a season, as Calgary has opened the season 0-3. Meanwhile the Rock have kicked off the 2015 NLL season with great success, sporting a 3-1 record to lead the NLL’s East Division.
Calgary most recently fell 16-8 to Alberta neighbor Edmonton and have struggled throughout the early season to keep the ball out of the back of their net. In the Roughnecks first three games, they’ve given up no less then 16 goals and have allowed opponents to find twine a combined 51 times. While there is a small positive to take out of their recent struggles, they have narrowed their goals against in each game, however marginal it may be. With an All-Star calibre goaltender in Mike Poulin in goal, and the likes of Dan MacRae, the Harnett and Carnegie brothers and Jeff Moleksi patrolling the defensive end of the floor, things should start to turn around for the Roughnecks.
The Toronto Rock have shot to the top of the East Division standings after wins over the Rochester Knighthawks, Vancouver Stealth and Buffalo Bandits. While the Rock where narrowly defeated by Knighthawks last Saturday night by a score of 8-6, Toronto looks to have all the pieces to be a true threat in the East Division in 2015. The additions of Brodie Merrill, Jeff Gilbert and Brock Sorensen have really steadied a Rock defense that had issues last season. The improvements on the backend, coupled with the excellent goaltending from Brandon Miller and Nick Rose have really offset the offensive losses of Colin Doyle and Garrett Billings.
While the Roughnecks may be 0-3 early in the 2015 season, this team is by no means a team to take lightly on Saturday night. The Roughnecks have one of the most potent offensives in the NLL, with quick strike ability and an uncanny ability to go on 6,7 goal runs at any point in the game. Shawn Evans, Dane Dobbie and Jeff Shattler, all of whom are Ontario born players, all seem to step up their games when playing at the Air Canada Centre. The Rock defense will have to be at its best to limit there chances offensively. The Superman Curtis Dickson and Daryl Veltman also occupying spots on the Roughneck offense this one could be a high scoring affair when you combine all the factors heading into Saturday night.
Josh Sanderson has had a resurgence of sorts this season, leading the NLL in scoring through 4 games, with 4 goals and 24 assists for 28 points. While Sanderson has never really fallen off, he is five years removed from his last 100 point season. With that being said, although it is early on, Sanderson is on pace for 126 points in 2015. Rob Hellyer exploded for 79 points last season, after producing just 23 points in his first 3 NLL seasons. With 24 points in his first four games this season, Hellyer’s offensive output has really made the absence of Garrett Billings that much easier on the Rock offense. Unsung offensive players like Kasey Beirnes, Kevin Ross and Brett Hickey have also found consistency at the offensive end, giving the Rock a balanced attack in all aspects of their game.
The Rock and Roughnecks split the season series 1-1 last season, with both teams picking up wins on their home turf. The Roughnecks have struggled at the Air Canada Centre in the past, winning just four games in Toronto over their NLL existence. The Rock also hold the advantage in the all time record department, with a 17-10 record against the Roughnecks. Records out the window, this should be one should be one heck of an entertaining game.
