Roughnecks mates hope to rekindle magic
Shattler and Pollock won a hockey championship together 12 years ago
Calgary Roughnecks forwards Jeff Shattler and recently signed Sean Pollock have won a championship together. But it wasn’t in the National Lacrosse League.
In fact, it wasn’t playing lacrosse at all. It was 12 years ago while playing Jr. B hockey in Petrolia, Ont.
It is a fond memory that Shattler would love to repeat this season.
“That was one heck of a winter, we had such a good time and, lo and behold, it was the only cham- pionship I ever won in hockey,” said Shattler, who collected his 500th career NLL point last week. “I’ve played lacrosse against Sean ever since, so hopefully we’ll have that same outcome again.”
To earn a shot at the 2015 Champion’s Cup, Calgary (3-8) has some work to do. They’re last in the four-team West Division where Vancouver (4-6) holds the third and final playoff spot.
The Roughnecks seem headed the right direction after a 20- 9 thumping of New England last Friday at home, but this weekend presents a stiffer test. In town for a game Saturday at 7 p.m. at the Scotiabank Saddledome are the Toronto Rock, owners of the NLL’s best record.
While the Rock (10-3) have a decided advantage in the standings, the teams have plenty of respect for each other.
“Calgary is one of the best teams in this league. They present an unbelievable challenge in terms of their offence. They have four or five really good top players there,” said Toronto coach John Lovell. “Plus, it’s always difficult to play in Calgary.”
After starting off 9-1, the Rock have lost two of their past three.
“From top to bottom, Toronto is pretty solid throughout the whole lineup,” said Pollock. “It’s all goals by committee, and that’s what we had last weekend and it’s what makes teams successful. When the defence has to cover all five guys instead of two guys, it makes a big difference.”
Roughnecks coach Curt Malawsky knows his team will have to be at their best.
“I expect our guys to get right to the dirty areas because that’s the only way you’re going to score against Toronto. You have to get to the middle of the floor and they don’t make it easy,” Malawsky said.
“By far, this is going to be our toughest test of the season.”
It’s the second meeting of the year. Toronto blew a four- goal fourth quarter lead but scored late to win 12-11 at the Air Canada Centre on Jan. 31.
Winning by 11 goals last week was quite the departure from the normally tight games the Riggers have played this season. Calgary is 1-4 in one-goal games.
“It’s the second half of the season and, last year, we were doing amazing in the first half and then we lost six or seven in a row to go into the playoffs. We’re pretty much in the same boat again this year, only it’s the opposite and we have to win out,” said Shattler.
Pollock, 32, signed promptly after being released by the Colorado Mammoth, bringing a needed right-hand shot to the club. He enjoyed some immediate chemistry with Shawn Evans and Curtis Dickson, two of Calgary’s top offensive players
“I’m just trying to open up a little bit more space for our two big shooters and when they start to get doubled, slide and find some holes and maybe get some looks that way,” said Pollock, who scored twice in his first game. “That’s how I’ve been successful in my career and that’s what I think I can bring to the table here.”
Notes: That same 2002-03 season, Shattler played one game with the London Knights (OHL), whose lineup that night featured current NHLers Corey Perry, Brandon Prust, David Bolland, Kyle Quincey and Marc Methot ... After missing the past three games, Roughnecks veteran Geoff Snider is expected to return.