Hoggarth tallies eight points in quarter-final against former team as Halifax beats Calgary 16-12Published Apr 27, 2025 • 3 minute readDrew Hutchison of the Halifax Thunderbirds makes a stop on a Calgary Roughnecks’ attempt during NLL quarter-final play Saturday in Halifax. – TIM KROCHAKThe off-season trade that brought Thomas Hoggarth to Halifax paid dividends during Saturday night’s National Lacrosse League quarter-final.The 29-year-old forward, who was acquired by the Thunderbirds from Calgary in a Sept. 12 deal, scored three goals and added five assists in leading Halifax to a 16-12 victory over the Roughnecks in the first-ever NLL playoff game held at Scotiabank Centre.THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY.Subscribe now to access this story and more:Unlimited access to the website and appExclusive access to premium content, newsletters and podcastsFull access to the e-Edition app, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment onEnjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalistsSupport local journalists and the next generation of journalistsSUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES.Subscribe or sign in to your account to continue your reading experience.Unlimited access to the website and appExclusive access to premium content, newsletters and podcastsFull access to the e-Edition app, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment onEnjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalistsSupport local journalists and the next generation of journalistsRegister to unlock more articles.Create an account or sign in to continue your reading experience.Access additional stories every monthShare your thoughts and join the conversation in our commenting communityGet email updates from your favourite authorsSign In or Create an AccountorArticle contentIn a night of post-season firsts, the Thunderbirds advance to their first NLL Cup semifinals against the Saskatchewan Rush in an all-Canadian best-of-three series. The Rush defeated the Georgia Swarm 13-9 in their quarter-final Saturday night in Saskatoon. Halifax Thunderbirds fans celebrate the team’s win over the Calgary Roughnecks during NLL quarter-final action Saturday night at Scotiabank Centre. – TIM KROCHAK“Honestly that felt great,” said Hoggarth, who was traded to the Thunderbirds for teenage defender Caelan Mander and two draft picks and then signed a two-year contract. “Beating them felt good for myself.“We came out hot. The offence really answered off the hop, we kept the pace all game and the defence played great. And that crowd really pumped us up. We haven’t had a home playoff game before. We know how important this game was to the staff and everyone on the team. So, we just fed off how loud the crowd was out there. When we scored on runs, it was crazy loud out there.”Article contentThe raucous, near-sellout crowd, furiously waved orange towels adorned with a ‘Thunderbirds 7th Man’ message, were sent into delirium when the home team rocketed to a quick two-goal lead when Nonkon Thompson and Clarke Petterson scored 14 seconds apart.Halifax led 3-0 after one quarter and never allowed Calgary to get within a goal all game. Quite a contrast from their only other matchup this season. In the season opener on Dec. 7, the Roughnecks defeated the Thunderbirds 18-17. Hoggarth had four goals in his Halifax debut against his former team. Halifax Thunderbirds’ Mike Robinson gives a stiff check to Bennett Smith of the Calgary Roughnecks during NLL playoff action in Halifax on Saturday. – TIM KROCHAKBut on Saturday, Randy Staats collected two goals and seven points, Petterson and Mike Robinson had six points apiece and Dawson Theede and Cody Jamieson each netted hat tricks in a spirited Halifax attack.Article contentThird-year goalie Drew Hutchison, in his third consecutive start in place of Warren Hill, earned his first career playoff victory with a stellar 38-save performance.Opposing reigning NLL goalie of the year Nick Rose at the other end of the floor, Hutchison held his own with timely saves to thwart any Roughneck momentum.“All year when he stepped in for Warren, Hutch has played great,” Hoggarth said. “Tonight, he showed how good he can play. He played great and earned that win.”The Thunderbirds closed out the first half with two sensational goals 33 seconds apart that nearly brought the house down. Halifax Thunderbirds’ Jake Withers knocks the ball from Justin Inacio of the Calgary Roughnecks in an NLL quarter-final at Scotiabank Centre on Saturday. – TIM KROCHAKAfter Halifax missed on a scoring chance, Robinson corralled a loose ball and buried a one-handed dunk from behind the net. With two seconds remaining, Hoggarth scored on a dunk of his own diving head-first to the left of Rose and beating the Calgary keeper to the short side. Halifax led 8-3 at the intermission.Article contentCalgary tried desperately to chip away at the Halifax lead, but Hutchison and the resilient Thunderbirds, with a boisterous crowd behind them, held their ground amidst the post-season fervor.“We told ourselves, at the end of the day, it’s just lacrosse,” Hutchison said. “We’ve been playing like this all year. I wasn’t really too nervous.“It was a pretty fun game. The crowd got so loud. Obviously being at home makes a big difference. You don’t want to hear the boos when we’re on the road. It’s crazy how much they’ve supported us throughout the year. They get really rowdy. It’s not the biggest arena, but it gets loud in here. and honestly, it’s probably the best crowd in the league.”The other semifinal will feature the reigning league champion Buffalo Bandits and the Vancouver Warriors. Semifinal schedules could be released by later Sunday.Article content
NLL PLAYOFFS: Thunderbirds soar into the semifinals
