Photo Credit: Calgary Roughnecks
The Calgary Roughnecks needed a return to form after taking a thrashing from the Edmonton Rush on Friday night. And they did just that with a solid 15-12 victory over the Vancouver Stealth on Saturday.
The Stealth picked up two quick goals to take the early lead before Calgary’s offense would finally find its legs, going on a three-goal run. Vancouver would go on another two-goal run to retake the lead in the second quarter before seeing the Roughnecks score twice more to take a 5-4 lead to the locker room at halftime.
Vancouver tied the game less than a minute into the third quarter and the teams would exchange goals back and forth for the remainder of the quarter, with each team scoring five times. After the Stealth tied the game yet again just 30 seconds into the final frame, Calgary would finally assert their dominance and pull away for good, scoring five more times while containing Vancouver on the other end.
Forward Shawn Evans led the way for the Roughnecks with a nine-point night (3 goals, six assists) while also collecting 12 loose balls and forcing two turnovers. Dane Dobbie scored five goals, including three in the pivotal fourth quarter.
After getting pulled from Friday night’s game, Roughnecks goalie Mike Poulin bounced back with 28 saves and the win.
Vancouver was led by Rhys Duch, who scored a hat trick and added two assists while Cliff Smith added four points (1 G, 3 A).
Stealth goalie Tyler Richards was peppered with 60 shots on the night and turned aside 45 of them.
The difference maker in this game was special teams play. Vancouver got themselves into some penalty trouble, giving Calgary nine power play attempts and the Roughnecks made them pay with six power play markers. On the other end, the Roughnecks had to kill seven penalties but they only gave up two goals in those situations.
The four-goal power play advantage for Calgary was simply too much for the Stealth to overcome.
Calgary and Vancouver now find themselves tied at 2-2 in the middle of the West Division standings. The Roughnecks next game is at home against the beleaguered Colorado Mammoth (1-5) while the Stealth host the first-place Edmonton Rush (3-0). Both games are on Saturday, Jan. 25.
