Mission Possible
Pour the Kool-Aid Troy Cordingley, I’m-a drinking from the cup…..the Champion’s Cup, that is.
A few weeks ago such talk would have been purely delusional, but a number of factors have conspired to get me on-side with the idea of an end to the recent history of one and done playoff runs for the Roughnecks:
1. Goaltending: Steve Dietrich has been a big play stopper as advertised. He’s smelled the smoke and is unlikely to panic in a tight game leading to the kind of monster collapse that killed this team against Coldorado two years ago.
2. The Trade: While I still think the best is yet to come from Josh Sanderson, (Jeez, Dave, the guy has 14 points in 4 games, ease up) the move of Lewis Ratcliff has worked out big-time. The rest of the attackers are buying in to their increased responsibilities. Curt Malawsky has emerged as a key cog in the machine. Scott Ranger continues to blossom as a scoring star.
3. Discipline: The ill-timed penalties that plagued the Roughnecks through most of the season have seemingly gone away. The big reason for that is:
4. Confidence. The swagger is back in this team. Three straight strong 4th quarters have excorcised that demon. The offense has caught up with the defense and goaltending in terms of believing in itself. Veteran leadership is finally healthy.
5. Momentum: This one may be a bit of a harder sell, seeing as the Riggers haven’t beaten a team over .500 during the three-win run, while Coldorado has also beaten Edmonton twice in recent weeks. But the Mammoth have been sputtering, dropping 2 to the East and a first-place showdown with San Jose down the stretch.
6. Injuries: Kaleb Toth is as healthy as Kaleb Toth is going to be at this point in his career. He’s also, in his own words, ‘playing pissed-off’ trying to show the nay-sayers that suggested he give it up earlier this year that he’s still got game. Perversely, Tracey Kelusky getting whacked in the melon in the Toronto game may have been the best thing that could have happened to him as he was able to prove to himself that he was finally over the concussion that sidelined him twice this season. On the other side, Kelusky’s roomate and Mammoth scoring machine Dan Carey is now battling a concussion of his own and is doubtful. Keluksy could help the process by bopping his roomie with a shovel before they leave for the airport.
All those factors weighed in, here’s what has to happen for a win Saturday. First and foremost, the defense has to take Gavin Prout out of the game. As a playmaker, he’s a killer. If he’s given room to dish the ball at will, it’s gonna be a long night. Second, the transition game has to continue to be a weapon, not just for the instant offense, but for the threat of a jailbreak at any time that’ll keep the Mammoth tentative on the attack. Third, no dumb lipping-off or retaliation penalities. The refs don’t seem to like this team. Tough luck. Deal with it. Fourth, as in quarter, no retreat, no surrender in the final 15. If you’re leading by ten, play to win by 15.
Shaw Cable has stepped up to pick up the Altitude broadcast of the game. As was the case the last time the NLL conflicted with the WHL playoffs, the game will be live on channel 94 at 7, the rebroadcast at 10:30 or so right after the ‘Dub game. If you’re not around a TV, shell out the 7 bucks for B2, and be sure to check back here Sunday for what hopefully will be a look back at a win and a preview of the Western Championship. Go get ‘em, guys.