5 THINGS TO WATCH
1. LONG TIME NO SEE: The Roughnecks and Knighthawks haven’t gone toe-to-toe since April 3 of 2010, an 11-9 victory at Rochester by the Riggers. They also defeated them in 2009, but lost to the K-hawks in 2008 and in 2002, the only other times they played. Now, they’re teeing off in a home-andhome series. Rochester’s only previous trip to Calgary was in 2009. 2. WHO ARE THESE GUYS? Only three players remain on the Rochester roster from the last time they played Calgary. Such stars as John Grant, Jr. (Colorado) and the Evans brothers, Shawn (Calgary) and Scott (Edmonton) have been dealt away, so it’s an entirely new look. Those leading the way up front now include Cody Jamieson (32 goals, 67 points), Cory Vitarelli (21) and Johnny Powless, while veteran Matt Vinc handles the bulk of the goal tending duties.
3. STINGY DEFENCE: The Roughnecks have been putting up some wicked defence in this four-game winning streak. Starting with the first win against Edmonton on March 10, they’ve marked three fourth-quarter shutouts and two first-quarter blanks. “We have two sets of lines that we try to keep together and I think guys are just getting more comfortable,” said D Dan Macrae. “You don’t really have to say as much, communicate a switch here and there. Guys just know what other guys’ tendencies are and I think we’re coming together even more that way.” 4. BRING THE HATS: A balanced Roughnecks offence has been particularly exemplified during the past three games in which several players have enjoyed three-or-more goals outings. All-star Jeff Shattler, last year’s transition player of the year, and ‘Superman’ Curtis Dickson have had a couple each to go along with big volleys by Shawn Evans, Dane Dobbie, Scott Ranger and Geoff Snider. “If you shut the left side down, our right side is going to sting you and if you shut the right side down our lefts are going to sting you,” said coach Dave Pym. “The guys are continuing to bury . . . it’s a compliment to the system we’re playing and the effort that they’re making out there to make each other better.” 5. STATS DIGEST: Calgary G Mike Poulin has the No. 1 goals-against average (9.95) and is tied for most wins with nine. Rochester G Matt Vinc is No. 2 in saves at 447, eight more than No. 3 Poulin, and No. 5 in GA at 12.15.