Tonight the Vancouver Stealth and Calgary Roughnecks open up their 2015 season of play, at the Scotiabank Saddledome. What better way to kick off the season than to face a fierce division rival.
In 2014 Calgary went on to face the Rochester Knighthawks in the Champions Cup final, while the Vancouver Stealth sat at home watching as they did not make the post season. Both teams faced each other 4 times in 2014 with Calgary dominating the Stealth by a combined score of 62-37.
Calgary is led by their high power offense of Curtis Dickson, Shawn Evans, Dane Dobbie, and Jeff Shattler . These players only scratch the surface of the depth the Roughnecks have and the scoring threats they posses. It will be a tough go as usual for any team that plays Calgary to win a faceoff as Geoff Snider is back again this season to lead the transition game. Followed up with the solid goal tending from Mike Poulin and a bolstered defense with the return of Jeff Moleski, who was acquired from the Stealth via free agency should make scoring tough on Vancouver.
Making some big moves this summer and on draft day GM Doug Locker seemed to fill the void from last years disappointing season. With 8 new faces, 2 of which are rookies the new look Stealth are back to compete for the Champions Cup. With the roster set and the talent on both sides of the ball, it is just a matter of when the team will start to gel like they have played together for years. Will Johnny Powless live up to the hype that Vancouver has built around him? Can he shoulder the team, while finding the perfect balance with the savvy vets like Rhys Duch, and Lewis Ratcliff. Captain Curtis Hodgson will lead the defensive squad that has much respect for the talented Calgary offense. The loss of some key players should not be an issue with the addition of Rory Smith and Tyler Burton. Although the Stealth will most likely struggle to win face offs the transition game is looking better than ever for the Stealth, with the addition of Tyler Hass, and the return of Mitch McMichael.
Will the improved Stealth roster be enough to open the season with a win on the road? It will most certainly be a great measuring stick right out of the gate for the Stealth on where they are as a team. Calgary is going to do what Calgary does, score in bunches, play physical on defense, and look to punch one in early to set the tone in front of the home crowd. On paper this one goes to the Stealth with their savvy vets, young guns, and improved transition game. The Roughnecks posses the intangibles in way their team plays as a solid unit, and the energy they bring. Fans of both teams could not have asked for a better matchup to start the season. You can catch all the action live at the Scotiabank Saddledome tonight at 7pm, on TSN in Canada, or on WatchESPN in the U.S.
