Gary Groob
All Lacrosse All The Time – A Division of Edge of Philly Sports Network
The San Diego Seals (3-0) headed north on Friday night to take on the Calgary Roughnecks (2-1) at the Scotiabank Saddledome.
This was the first time that star forward Curtis Dickson faced his old team since signing with the Seals. Dickson currently leads the Seals in goals (9) and points (16) through the first two games of the season. He also ranks second in the NLL in both categories.
Roughnecks forward Tyler Pace has 10 points so far this season and talked about the battle with the Seals:
“Coming into the season, San Diego on paper looked unbeatable,” Pace said. “But they’ve proven in their first two wins that they’re definitely beatable, so I think it’s going to be a very physical type of game. Their offence likes to set hard picks so it’s going to be physical back there and then on our end we’ve got some big bodies as well and they’re going to be trying to push us around so I think it’s going to be a bit of bully-ball.”
The goaltending match-up had Frank Scigliano in net for the Seals against Christian Del Bianco on the cage for Calgary.
Dane Dobbie ran roughshod over Calgary in the first half, scoring six times en route to a 13-5 lead at the half. The adjustments made by the Roughnecks at halftime paid dividends as Jesse King (4g,1a) and Tyler Pace (2g,7a) led the Calgary comeback. Unfortunately for the ‘Necks it fell just short, losing to San Diego 17-14.
To The Game:
San Diego jumped out to a quick 2-0 lead with Dane Dobbie scoring just 0:29 seconds in with a behind the back shot off a rebound. Mac O’Keefe then converted a Kevin Crowley feed at 1:47 for the quick two goal lead.
Tre Leclaire increased the lead, scoring off an Eli Gobrecht pass at 4:45 with just one second left in the Seals powerplay, followed by Dane Dobbie scoring the next two goals. Dobbie’s first was off a Jesse Gamble feed at 6:49, followed by a power play goal from behind the net dunking it in at 8:21.
Calgary finally got on the board when the captain Jesse King scored off a Tyler Pace feed at 8:46, but Austin Staats answered back, converting a Curtis Dickson pass at 11:12. Shane Simpson converted a long lead pass from Christian Del Bianco at 12:50 but was answered back by Curtis Dickson with just 0:11 seconds left in the quarter.
After one quarter, San Diego 7 Calgary 2.
Second Quarter:
The Roughnecks opened the second quarter scoring when Jesse King converted a Tyler Pace feed at 0:22 seconds, but Dane Dobbie answered back with two more goals. Dobbie’s fourth of the night was off a Wes Berg pass at 1:04, followed by another laser shot again off a Wes Berg pass at 2:31.
Calgary scored the next two goals. Zach Currier converted a long lead pass from goalie Christian Del Bianco, using Jesse King as a decoy, beating Frank Scigliano to the shortside at 3:27. Tanner Cook then converted a Tyler Pace feed on the power play at 7:59, making this a 9-5 game. Dane Dobbie got his own rebound, scoring his sixth of the half at 9:00.
San Diego finished the half strong scoring three more times before intermission. Wes Berg converted a Brodie Merrill feed low to the glove side at 10:14. Kevin Crowley fired a laser from the outside off a Dane Dobbie pass at 13:11, followed by Curtis Dickson scoring with just 0:03 seconds left to end the half.
At the half, San Diego 13 Calgary 5.
Third Quarter:
The Seals picked up in the third quarter, where they left off in the second. Mac O’Keefe scored his second of the night diving across the crease off an Austin Staats pass at 2:26. Curtis Dickson then scored back peddling on a screened Christian Del Bianco at 3:21.
Dan Taylor scored for Calgary on a bounced shot to the far side of Frank Scigliano at 3:53, followed by Shane Simpson converting a long lead pass from Del Bianco again. A double fake and a goal at 4:55.
With Del Bianco on the bench, Calgary lost possession putting Tre Leclaire on a breakaway, but for the work of Jesse King to knock the ball away, this would’ve been a bigger lead.
Kyle Waters got the ‘Necks closer, scoring off a Tyler Pace pass at 10:50, followed by Tanner Cook converting a Pace feed at 11:24. Mac O’Keefe got one back for the Seals of a Wes Berg feed at 13:54.
After three quarters, San Diego 16 Calgary 9.
Fourth Quarter:
After an early goal by Curtis Dickson at 1:57, Calgary erupted for five straight goals.
Jesse King scored on a quick stick from Tyler Pace pass at 2:43, followed by Pace himself firing a laser to the far corner off a Haiden Dickson pass at 3:08. Haiden Dickson added to the Roughnecks’ total scoring off a Kyle Waters pass at 4:50. The comeback continued with Tyler Pace scoring again off a Haiden Dickson pass.
Chris Origlieri replaced Frank Scigliano in net at this point.
Jesse King greeted Origlieri converting yet another pass from goalie Christian Del Bianco at 7:41.
Origlieri was able to steady the ship, and close the door. San Diego would hang on for the victory.
Final score, San Diego 17 Calgary 14.
Game Stats:
- Shots on goal was in favor of San Diego 48-43.
- Calgary had a slight edge in faceoffs 18-16.
- San Diego won the loose ball battle 78-60.
- The Seals went 2 for 7 on the power play, while Calgary went 1 for 4.
Top Scorers:
San Diego Seals:
- Dane Dobbie 6g, 3a
- Curtis Dickson 4g, 4a
- Wes Berg 1g, 6a
Calgary Roughnecks:
- Tyler Pace 2g, 7a
- Jesse King 4g, 1a
- Haiden Dickson 1g, 3a
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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.
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