The time has arrived! The Calgary Roughnecks will host the Rochester Knighthawks in Game 1 of the two-game series.
The Roughnecks are going for their third title (2004 & 2009), and the Rochester Knighthawks are going for title number five, but historically they are trying to be the first team in the 28-year history of the league to three-peat. Their previous titles were in 1997 and 2007 before winning the last two seasons. Will history be made this year? Remember, this is only Game 1. Game 2 is next Saturday in Rochester, and if the teams split they will play a 10-minute mini-game to decide a winner. With that being said, here are a few things to watch for in Game 1.
Calgary Roughnecks—They must take advantage of the home floor and ride the wave of support from the fans who will be very loud in the Scotia Bank Saddledome. The offense is led by the three-headed monster of Shawn Evans, Curtis Dickson and Dane Dobbie. They have combined for 26 of the team’s 43 goals in four playoff games so far. They will definitely need to be at full speed.
We still do not know the status of Geoff Snider and he may be a game-time decision. Obviously if Snider plays, Calgary would have the advantage at the faceoff which means extra posessions. Calgary must also stay out of the penalty box as well. You can not give the Knighthawks any additional chances to score.
The defense has to have eyes in the back of their heads, and stay on the hands of the Knighthawks offense. Cody Jamieson, Johnny Powless, Stephen Keogh, Dan Dawson, etc., can turn it on at any given time. Defense must also play disciplined as well and not take any unnecessary penalties. Goalie Mike Poulin must bring his A-game. During the season he has shown at times to start out slow and then get back into the game. This is not the time for that to happen. Should he put up the “Poulin Wall,” it could be a long night for Rochester.
Rochester Knighthawks—The offense has to be on target against the Roughnecks, and they need to take advantage of any second or third opportunities. Dan Dawson left the game early last week from a concussion. No confirmation if this is true, or the severity of it. If Dawson is out, this will be a big blow to the offense, but not one they can’t overcome. Powless, Jamieson, and company must get the lead and keep it. If they are to battle from behind it must be a reachable amount (no more than two). Should Calgary get on a run, the Hawk offense must respond quickly.
The defense for the Knighthawks must do exactly what they did in Game 2 versus the Bandits. Not allow the big guns to get on a roll. They shut down John Tavares, Mark Steenhuis and Dhane Smith who torched them for 11 goals in Game 1, limiting them to five in Game 2. They must do the same with Dobbie, Dickson and Evans. Ian Llord must be like another goalie out there, blocking shots as he has done all season and staying on top of the opposition’s main guns. The transition game must step up as well pushing the ball up the floor quickly so Calgary has a difficult time getting their defense out. They also must find a way to stabilize Geoff Snider should he play on the faceoffs. Between the pipes Matt Vinc must be on top of his game as well and not let the Roughnecks crowd get into his head. Vinc is averaging 9.55 GAA in the playoffs this year.
This is sure to be a classic game and series. Game time is 9 pm ET, May 24.
(Per NLL.com) Watch LIVE on TSN in Canada, and on ESPN3 for US subscribers.
Also airing live on Time Warner Cable Sports in Rochester (Channel 26) and other parts of upstate NY (Albany, Buffalo, Hudson Valley, Syracuse and Utica) along with TWCS Carolinas and Kansas City.
