The Calgary Roughnecks began their Week 21 doubleheader in Las Vegas, taking on the Desert Dogs Friday night. The Roughnecks had one of the more convoluted playoff-clinching scenarios, in that they could win tonight, but still not clinch unless they got help from other teams playing either tonight or later in the weekend. They took care of business anyway, beating the Desert Dogs 12-9 behind a 10-point night from Jesse King and a hat trick from Tanner Cook.
Roughnecks dominate Vegas via the power play
Calgary wasted no time getting out in front 3-0, on goals from Brayden Mayea (3:16), Mathieu Gautier (3:36), and Tanner Cook (4:29). Casey Jackson got the Desert Dogs on the board with a power play goal (10:22), but Tyler Hendrycks (13:14) gave the Roughnecks a 4-1 lead after the first quarter. Calgary would extend their lead in the second quarter, starting with a power play goal from Haiden Dickson just 20 seconds in.
Cook’s second goal on a dunk (0:54) and Jesse King (2:58) made it a 7-1 game. Jonathan Donville broke the run for Las Vegas at 3:40, but Dickson would score another power play goal (5:01) to put Calgary up 8-2. Adam Poitras (6:43) and Josh Jackson (13:15) also added markers for the Desert Dogs. However, King (9:40) scored the Roughnecks’ third power play goal of the quarter as they went into halftime leading 9-4.
Roughnecks road to playoffs becomes clearer
The Desert Dogs tried to mount a comeback in the third quarter, as Kyle Killen scored twice (4:46; 14:55), and Casey Jackson added his second (6:20). Calgary could only muster Cook’s hat trick goal (13:58 power play) in response, but still led 10-7 going into the fourth quarter. Las Vegas continued to press, as Holden Cattoni (1:16 fourth quarter) and another from Poitras (7:49) cut the lead to 10-9. But Curtis Dickson (8:34) made it a two-goal game, and King’s hat trick goal (13:11) provided additional insurance for the winning margin.
Las Vegas finishes the season in last place at with a 4-14 record. Calgary improves to 9-8, but have not yet clinched a spot. They can punch their playoff ticket with a win at home against Colorado on Saturday night. They can also clinch a playoff spot even if they lose, but Ottawa and Georgia must also lose on Saturday night.
Other Stats of Note
Roughnecks: King (3g, 7a); Cook (3g, 3a); H. Dickson (2g, 2a); Mayea (1g, 2a); Hendrycks (1g, 1a); Gautier (1g, 1a)
Desert Dogs: Poitras (2g, 2a); C. Jackson (2g, 1a); Killen (2g); Donville (1g, 3a); Cattoni (1g, 3a); Jack Hannah (3a)
Justin Inacio (CGY): 18-24 Faceoffs; 9 Loose Balls; 1 Caused Turnover
Nick Rose (CGY): 43 saves; passed Anthony Cosmo for 2nd place all-time in saves
Power Play: CGY 4 of 5; LV 1 of 4
