Calgary Roughnecks (8-10) at Colorado Mammoth (12-6)
When: 5/7/2016 – 9:00 pm ET
Where: Pepsi Center – Denver, Colorado
Watch: NLLtv.com, TSN GO, WatchESPN, Altitude2
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[mks_one_half]Standing: 3rd Seed in Western Conference
Points Leader: Curtis Dickson – 61 goals, 46 assists
Where are they?
The Calgary Roughnecks barely grasped the playoff berth in the final week, using one last win to hold off the Stealth for the #3 seed, making their 14th consecutive postseason appearance.
How’d they get here?
Losing 4 out of 5 overtime games was consistent discouragement through the regular season and it took until Week 18 to clinch in a must-win, Stealth must-lose scenario. More consistent goaltending helped guide them through the season’s second half. All in all, they got the better of every team but the Rush.
What’s next?
In the regular season, the Calgary Roughnecks dropped two of their three outings against the Colorado Mammoth, most recently on March 26th in a close, 13-12, battle. Now they head back to Denver on Saturday in attempt to punch their ticket to meet Saskatchewan in the West Finals. Colorado is an extremely complex team that has been resting and revamping over the past few weeks, knowing they had the home playoff game all locked up. To get the win this weekend, this is a game all 18 guys wearing the Red and Black are going to have to be a major part of, this can’t just be the Curtis Dickson show. That said, Dickson is averaging just a hair shy of 6 points per game, the team is built to fit perfectly in his backpack.
To be able to make a run at the Champion’s Cup they need Superman to stay at full-strength. His supporting cast of Shattler, Dobbie, Berg and Digby can all put the ball into the back of the net, but they’ve all shared they spotlight this season, delegating the scoring responsibilities each week. This was a huge perk through the season to keep defenses on their toes and not put too much pressure on any one shooter. The problem, is anyone ready to step up and dominate on Saturday against a team that has no problems getting looks?
I consistently called for the talents of Mike Poulin to take the starting job back from Frankie Scigliano in the early part of the season, then the Necks finally granted my wish. He was killing it until the last game on the 30th against Toronto but I still believe he’s the man for the job. The veteran heavy defense needs to step up on the deadly Mammoth shooters and clear the crease for the goalie to get a fair look. This is the fourth straight season and seventh of the last nine that the Roughnecks are matched up with the Mammoth in the first round, and the streak is at a clean 6-0, Calgary. These teams know each other almost too well.
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[mks_one_half]Standing: 2nd Seed in Western Conference
Points Leader: Callum Crawford – 32 goals, 83 assists
Where are they?
If there was a team to beat early on, it was the Colorado Mammoth, now 12-6. They secured their berth and home game weeks ago, but never could catch the elusive Rush.
How’d they get here?
Starting off 4-0, the Mammoth had a great start, middle and finish to the season. Some games in between lagged in offensive production, but it was apparent halfway through the season that they were making the postseason.
What’s next?
The Mammoth will host the Roughnecks on Saturday night in a matchup they know all too well. Pro: They’ve got the best of the Riggers two out of the three times they’ve seen them in 2016. Con: They’ve lost the last three years in a row to Calgary in the first round of the playoffs. It’s the tenth anniversary of Colorado’s first, and only, Champion’s Cup victory and it’s been a while since they even came close to the finals. Both teams are thick with veteran talent and the last two match-ups were one-goal games, it almost seems like Colorado is due for one at this point.
Assuming they all dress, Colorado brings the power trio of John Grant Jr., Adam Jones and Callum Crawford, and when they’re on, they’re on. Either one can carry the entire team, or distribute the wealth and if a defense over commits to playing all three, the floor is open for super sophomores Jeremy Noble and Eli McLaughlin to take the stage. Crawford has been the offseason move of the year, he’s dished out an insane 83 helpers and another 32 goals, the third highest points in the NLL.
I expect to see Dillon Ward take the crease, but they are always quick to exchange to test out Alex Buque. Curtis Dickson has charged the Mammoth for 18 points alone this season and Calgary was the team to hold Adam Jones out to his infamous shutout. They know how to get under the (I say this with love) old guys’ skin. Colorado plays a very slow, methodical game, it’s why the are at the bottom of the league in shots and ground balls yet still cruising to a 12-6 record. This starts with the defense slowing down the younger and more pushy Calgary group and getting the shooters on the floor.
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