Harrison Matsuoka contributing at both ends for NLL Calgary Roughnecks

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The objective — your entire play, actually — proves he belongs.

Positive, Harrison Matsuoka has had his moments for the Calgary Roughnecks. That’s anticipated from a first-round draftee.

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However his effort in final Friday’s pivotal match-up — a difference-maker, to make certain — is proof constructive the child from Calgary generally is a power within the Nationwide Lacrosse League.

“Yeah … simply attempting to assist out the crew anyplace I can,” stated Matsuoka, who was all smiles about his contribution within the 12-10 conquer the Saskatchewan Rush at Scotiabank Saddledome.

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“I believe I’m somewhat bit extra assured than I used to be up to now — type of taking part in extra like I used to be in junior and in school, so it’s very nice,” continued the younger transition expertise. “I’m type of piecing it collectively and having the ability to assist out in video games which are shut … like this one.

“So it feels good.”

Even higher because the transition expertise’s efficiency got here in victory, when the Riggers wanted it most.

Going through the Rush in a weekend double-dip, they had been determined for a minimum of one ‘W’ to maintain their playoff hopes alive heading into the ultimate two weeks of the common season.

And in order that residence drop of the Rush, who turned the tables within the 12-9 rematch one night time later in Saskatoon, helped to maintain them inside putting distance of the top-eight groups within the standings — all of which earn post-season berths — with Saturday’s all-important contest on faucet for the Roughnecks (7-9) towards the host Buffalo Bandits (9-7) in Upstate New York (5:30 p.m., TSN+).

They’ll want all palms on deck — together with these belonging to Matsuoka — for that potential must-win.

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“I don’t even know, actually,” stated Matsuoka, when requested to recall how his fast stick discovered the twine behind Rush goaltender Frank Scigliano final weekend. “I noticed it … like … after, however I wasn’t actually positive the place it went.”

To refresh everybody’s reminiscence, it went excessive over the far shoulder of Scigliano.

And Matsuoka, who’d simply snagged a long-bomb move from goaltender Christian Del Bianco, couldn’t see it as a result of he was crushed on the play by Adam Jay.

It was a bang-bang-bang collection of occasions — athletic and painful as heck — to supply the gritty objective.

“Nice move by Delbs,” Matsuoka stated. “He type of put it in the one spot he might, and it labored out alright for us. Delbs is like QB1.

“The fellows within the field after I acquired my penalty later had been saying I was an O man, however I believe that was again in bantam. It’s been some time since one thing like that.”

True, the 6-foot, 180-pounder doesn’t get to attain typically lately.

He solely had 4 objectives in three seasons as a pacesetter with the NCAA’s Stony Brook Seawolves.

And in his 5 years with the Okotoks Junior A Raiders is the place the Robert Thirsk Excessive College graduate had his transition recreation take off.

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“I used to run the ground lots in junior, so attempting to get again to that recreation this 12 months,” Matsuoka stated. “And I imply … it’s simple whenever you acquired guys like Delbs and and Jeff (Cornwall) and Zach (Currier) and (Shane) Simmer (Simpson) who’re all pushing the ground. It makes it simple to run the ground and provides you confidence.”

That’s exhibiting in what’s change into a break-out marketing campaign for Matsuoka, now 25.

He’s now performed in a minimum of 15 video games in every of his first three NLL seasons, bettering year-by-year defensively as he will get comfy.

However this 12 months, he’s clearly taken a step ahead at each ends, with three objectives — he had two earlier on the calendar in a pivotal 11-10 street win over the strong Toronto Rock — to match the quantity he scored mixed in 2021-22 and ’22-23.

Roughnecks head coach Josh Sanderson, can attest to that, praising Matsuoka for being “actually, actually good” in final weekend’s victory.

And the bench boss went on to say that effort is simply an extension of the strong season Matsuoka has put in for the Riggers.

“I believe his work ethic and his dedication within the low season has actually helped him enhance,” Sanderson stated. “He’s very coachable, has excellent character and is an excellent teammate. It appears to be like like he’s extra assured.

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“So I don’t suppose his play has a lot to do with teaching. It’s extra to do with him doing all the pieces proper.”

The man who made him a Roughnecks participant with the 14th decide general within the 2020 NLL Draft echoes that sentiment.

“Yeah … Harrison deserves full marks for his improvement,” agreed Roughnecks GM Mike Board. “It’s an enormous soar from junior lacrosse to the professionals, and he has put within the effort and time to achieve success at making the transition. He spends the time coaching. He spends the time finding out movie. That dedication to bettering his recreation is paying off. He’s earned all the pieces.”

Certainly, the home-grown expertise is proving he belongs.

“Actually, whenever you go into the draft you’re on the lookout for gamers who you are feeling can play within the league,” added Board. “Alberta lacrosse has, during the last 5 – 6 years, produced an increasing number of gamers who’re regulars on rosters. Extra Alberta and, certainly, prairie gamers are being drafted, and they’re being drafted within the larger rounds. Kudos to Alberta and Saskatchewan lacrosse coaches and organizers for all of the work finished to develop extra gamers.”

QUICK STICKS

Face-off ace and transition Justin Inacio (decrease physique) stays out of the Roughnecks lineup … Out for the Riggers, as properly, are defenceman Robert Hudson (higher physique) and out ahead Brett McIntyre (decrease physique) … The Roughnecks have activated defenceman Kieran McKay to the energetic roster from the apply participant listing.

tsaelhof@postmedia.com

http://www.x.com/ToddSaelhofPM

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