The Calgary Roughnecks have forced a third and deciding game in the 2023 National Lacrosse League Western Final. On Saturday, the Roughnecks defeated the Colorado Mammoth 13-12 at the Scotiabank Saddledome in Calgary, Alberta to tie the best out of three series at one game apiece.
Two Roughnecks players each registered a hat trick. Forward Tyler Pace of Coquitlam, British Columbia and forward Tanner Cook of Courtice, Ontario both scored three times. Pace added four assists for seven points, while Cook added one assist for four points. Cook set up Pace for the game-winning goal with three minutes and 21 seconds left in the fourth quarter. At the time, the Roughnecks went up 13-10.
Forward Jesse King of Victoria, British Columbia led Canada in scoring with eight points (two goals and six assists). Another Roughnecks player who had a notable game was forward Haiden Dickson of Delta, British Columbia, who had four assists for four points.
Calgary entered the game trailing the series one game to none after Colorado won game one 8-7 on Thursday. The third and deciding game is May 20 in Calgary. The Roughnecks and Mammoth winner will play the Buffalo Bandits in the National Lacrosse League Cup. On Saturday, the Bandits beat the Toronto Rock 17-8 to win the Eastern Final two games to none.
