The Calgary Roughnecks grabbed an early lead in Game 1 of the Champion’s Cup series and never looked back, earning a 10-7 victory.
As they did with the Edmonton Rush last weekend, the Roughnecks have now taken a commanding lead in the series, putting the pressure on the defending champions.
Calgary drew first blood at the 2:19 mark of the first quarter when Jeff Shattler sniped a quick-stick goal off a feed from Shawn Evans. Scott Ranger would add to the lead seven minutes later, again on a pass from Evans and, although Rochester would finally get onto the scoreboard less than a minute later, they would never be able to even the score.
Evans paced the Roughnecks’ attack on the evening with five points and assisted on all three of Calgary’s first period goals, helping the team to a lead they would never reliquish. Dane Dobbie scored a hat trick and added an assist.
But arguably the best performance of the night was between the pipes where goaltender Mike Poulin turned aside 36 shots, while surrendering just a single goal in the first quarter and one late in the last quarter when the lead was out of reach. The Poulin Wall was in full effect from start to finish in this game, shutting the door repeatedly on Knighthawks scoring chances.
Joe Walters led the way for the Knighthawks with a goal and three assists while Joel McCready, Cory Vitarelli and Cody Jamieson all contributed three points each.
Matt Vinc made 31 saves for Rochester and was also involved in a dust-up at the end of the first half when he made a play on a ball on the side boards, well away from his net. Dobbie and Jon Harnett sandwiched Vinc, knocking him to the ground and he took exception, grabbing Harnett and throwing a punch to earn himself a roughing penalty.
Although Calgary was not able to convert on the ensuing power play, it was clear that Vinc was rattled as the first half wrapped up. He nevertheless came out of the locker room refocussed and shut out the Roughnecks for the entire third quarter, giving his team a chance to cut into the lead.
Indeed, both offenses were repeatedly shut down by big saves from the two goaltenders as Vinc and Poulin made critical stop after critical stop to keep the game close. Perhaps not surprising since the last four Goaltender of the Year awards in the NLL are held by these two men (Vinc won in 2010, 2012 and 2013; Poulin won in 2012).
The focus now turns to Game 2, to be played in Rochester next Saturday, May 31. The Knighthawks have to win that game to force a 10-minute mini-game to break the series tie. In the Knighthawks’ favor is the fact that they are a combined 11-1 at home this year between the regular season and the postseason. In Calgary’s favor are two things: they are now 2-0 against the Knighthawks this year and they have never lost a Champion’s Cup game in team history.
