Big News A-Comin’
Stop….the rock…..can’t stop the rock…you can’t stop the rock…..can’t stop the rock…
Ever notice how that hypnotically groovable arena standard from Apollo 440 mysteriously disappears from the playlist every time Toronto comes to town? Coincidence? I think not. The Toronto Rock drop in to wrap the home half of the season Saturday night, and it always seems like whether they come to town as championship contenders or pretenders, the Rock have the measure of the Roughnecks.
Four and nine overall, 2-4 at home, it’s seldom a happy time when Canada’s original NLL team comes to town, but now’s as good a time as any to turn the tide. Last week’s win over the Rush has returned a modicum of control over their playoff fates to the home side, and while I still think it’ll come down to the season finale in Edmonton, a win Saturday would come as a pleasant surprise and a nice little motivator with the post season looming. Saturday also marks the return of Lewis Ratcliff to the Dome for the first time since the trade deadline day blockbuster that sent him to the Rock in exchange for Josh sanderson. On a special Saturday night edition of Roughnecks Radio on the Fan between 6 and 7, we’ll catch up with Lewis to get his thoughts on the deal and on his new team, and chat with Andrew McBride to dicuss the LAL (LIfe after Lewis) era and get his observation on all things Roughneck.
We also expect to have some big news from owner Brad Bannister. At Thursday’s pre-game media get together at Spolumbo’s, Bannister revealed he’s less than 48 hours away from announcing the team’s venue of choice for the next two seasons. As I wrote last week, there had been some speculation of a possible move to another city, but that won’t happen. At least for another two years. As for the venue, I have to hope it’s the Saddledome, providing terms are in place that’ll allow the club to take a run at profitability. The only other possibility is the Corral, and as I also said last week, that’s just not an option if you want to keep your product looking top-tier.
I’ll close for now with congratulations to Nolan Heavenor. The second year Roughneck was voted transition player of the week by the NLL, due in no small part I’m sure to his heroic efforts in scoring two 4th quarter goals against Edmonton with the better part of his nose splattered across the better part of his face.