Gary Groob
Lax Philly – A Division of Edge of Philly Sports Network
The Panther City Lacrosse Club (5-8) visited the Calgary Roughnecks (4-7) at WestJet Field at ScotiaBank Saddledome in front of 9,312.
This was the second of three clashes this season between these two teams. PCLC had a tough start to the season but had recently won three in a row, and were battling the Roughnecks and Vancouver for the third playoff spot in the West. Panther City is currently fifth in the West, just one spot back of the Roughnecks due to games in hand. This one had huge playoff implications.
The Roughnecks headed into Saturday’s tilt 4-6 on the season, coming off a huge 14-12 victory over the Saskatchewan Rush on Thursday night. Calgary sits fourth in the West, one win back of Vancouver.
The goaltending match-up had Nick Damude in goal for Panther City against Christian Del Bianco in net for the Roughnecks.
Although Calgary got off to a strong, fast start, Panther City took over control midway through the second quarter. The Roughnecks made a run for a grand comeback with a strong fourth quarter, but the lead at that point was just too big. Panther City came away with the 14-11 win.
To the game…
The Roughnecks opened the game’s scoring on the power play. Jesse King (2g,0a) scored through the five hole of Nick Damude off a Tyler Pace pass at 2:27.
Will Malcom (3g,4a) evened the score off a Patrick Dodds pass at 6:51, but Dan Taylor (1g,2a) gave Calgary the lead once more diving across the crease at 8:18. Nathan Grenon (3g,0a) tied the game once again on a great individual effort, banking it off the post just 0:23 seconds later.
Curtis Dickson (3g,3a) fired a laser to the top corner over Damude’s shoulder to again give Calgary the lead at 9:35. Zach Herreweyers (1g,0a) increased the Roughnecks lead, scoring from the top of the crease off a Tanner Cook pass at 10:53.
Dean Fairall (3g,3a) got one back for Panther City on the power play converting a Cam Milligan pass at 13:04.
After one quarter, Calgary 4 PCLC 3.
Second Quarter:
PCLC’s Nathan Grenon scored his second of the night tying the game at 2:47, but the Roughnecks restored their one goal lead when Tyler Pace (2g,4a) converted a Curtis Dickson pass at 4:25.
Panther City showed how explosive an offense they had:
Phil Caputo (2g,1a) took a Patrick Dodds pass, went in all alone beating Del Bianco at 7:45, followed by Will Malcom scoring his second of the night converting a Connor Sellars pass 0:22 seconds later. Phil Caputo scored his second of the night, again converting a feed from Patrick Dodds at 9:04, giving Panther City a 7-5 lead.
Curtis Dickson answered back for the Roughnecks deaking around Nick Damude at 9:27, but Dean Fairall converted a Cam Milligan pass at 12:35 to restore the two goal Panther City lead.
The Roughnecks pulled their goalie looking for the final shot of the half, but Panther City gained possession and Liam Byrnes (1g,0a) fired into an empty cage at 14:59.
Although Calgary badly outshot Panther City 27-17, PCLC went to the dressing room with the lead.
At the half, PCLC 9 Calgary 6.
Third Quarter:
This quarter was all Panther City!
PCLC started the third quarter with a power play goal. Dean Fairall converted a Cam Milligan pass just 0:56 seconds in, followed by Will Malcom increasing the lead to five as he converted a Jeremy Thompson pass at 4:54. Cam Milligan scored also on the power play from the top of the crease off a Dean Fairall pass at 11:42 and the lead continued to grow.
After three quarters, Panther City 12 Calgary 6.
Fourth Quarter:
Patrick Dodds opened the fourth quarter scoring at 2:29 for Panther City to increase the lead to 13-6.
The Roughnecks finally scored after 23:59 of scoreless action. Ethan Ticehurst (1g,0a) scored in transition off a long lead pass from Christian Del Bianco at 3:32, but Panther City stormed right back. Nathan Grenon scored his third of the night off a Jeremy Thompson pass at 4:40.
Calgary changed goalies at this point, replacing Christian Del Bianco with Landon Kells.
Curtis Dickson scored his third of the game when he converted a Tyler Pace pass at 5:08, trying to get the Roughnecks back in the game.
Christian Del Bianco came back in the Calgary net after a brief breather.
Tyler Pace continued the Calgary comeback scoring off a Curtis Manning pass at 7:20, followed by by Jesse King sneaking a shot past Nick Damude off a Dan Taylor pass at 10:24. Tanner Cook brought the Roughnecks to within three when he converted a Dan Taylor pass at 13:51, but it was too little too late.
Panther City held on for the win.
Final score, PCLC 14 Calgary 11.
Three Stars:
- First Star…Will Malcom
- Second Star…Curtis Dickson
- Third Star…Dean Fairall
Game Statistics:
- Shots on goal favored Calgary 51-42
- Faceoffs were dominated by Panther City 20-9.
- Panther City went 3 for 4 on the power play , while Calgary went 1 for 5.
Top Scorers
Panther City Lacrosse Club:
Will Malcom 3g, 4a
Dean Fairall 3g, 3a
Cam Milligan 1g, 4a
Calgary Roughnecks:
Curtis Dickson 3g, 3a
Tyler Pace 2g, 4a
Tanner Cook 1g, 4a
Gary Groob has been involved with Lacrosse for the majority of his life, whether playing, coaching, or covering the sport for the media.
An avid fan, with a real drive about helping to “grow the game”, Gary became part of podcasts about the game in 2010. Through the podcasts, Mr. Groob was given an opportunity to write about lacrosse, and the rest as they say, is history.
Through many miles (flying and driving) Gary has made inroads with the National Lacrosse League, Major Series Lacrosse League, the Ontario Lacrosse Association, as well as the Arena Lacrosse League, covering the leagues, their teams, and players, working for, and in concert with all of them.
In the year 2020, Mr. Groob was made the media person for the Arena Lacrosse League, voted onto the board of directors of the Brampton Excelsiors Lacrosse Club, as well as being made administrator of the Lacrosse page “Global Lacrosse” with a membership of 9000 members in over 90 Countries. Gary was also made an administrator of Lacrosse History Past Present and Future in 2022.
Mr. Groob co-hosts a weekly Lacrosse show on Spanglish Sports World, and ZingoTV channel 250, as well as writes a weekly lacrosse column for La Portada Canada News (both in print, and online).
Gary also hosts a Lacrosse talk show and podcast for The Edge of Philly Sports Network, seen live Sunday nights at 9pm (ET), and archived on the Edge of Philly YouTube page, as well as Spotify.
Mr. Groob’s other sports interests include Hockey, Football, Boxing, Wrestling, and Baseball, competing competitively in Boxing and Wrestling for many years.
Latest Articles
Kodiaks Maul Brooklin On A Sunday In CobourgLacrosse
MANNS, CLARK PROPEL TIMBERMEN OVER ADANACSLacrosse, WLA
Keep the 3 Points Coming for the Philadelphia UnionUnion
DUNBAR SOCK TRICK NOT ENOUGH FOR BURNABYLacrosse, WLA
Stars Beat Maulers Take Sole Possession Of 1st PlacePhiladelphia Stars, Trending Now
