An Oral History of Dane Dobbie’s Surreal Saturday Night

Calgary Roughnecks forward Dane Dobbie has already solidified his place in the annals of National Lacrosse League history. Playing in his 16^th campaign, the Elora, Ontario native is tied for fifth on the all-time goals list (551), with a resume that also features a league MVP award and an NLL championship. The man is a legend in every sense of the word.

Dobbie was a stalwart in Calgary from 2008 through 2020. After a three-season sojourn with the San Diego Seals, the Vancouver-area resident is back lacing it up for the lacrosse fans of Western Canada.

This history brings the conversation to the evening of Saturday, December 14, when Dobbie and the Roughnecks took on the Albany FireWolves at MVP Arena, in the shadow of the New York State Capitol.

On this night, the 38-year-old Dobbie accomplished a feat not previously witnessed in NLL competition. After going scoreless through the first three quarters, the lefty connected on seven fourth quarter goals (including four consecutive) establishing a new record. The previous mark of six in a quarter was held by the duo of Adam Jones and Zack Greer. Dobbie capped off his odyssey of wonder when finding the back of the net 50 seconds into the overtime session, giving his Calgary club a 13-12 victory.

Making this triumph even more remarkable was the fact that every single one of the eight goals carried significant levels of importance. Dobbie’s four consecutive fourth quarter scores flipped the contest from a 10-6 Albany advantage to a 10-10 tie. The FireWolves then scored a go-ahead goal, only for Dobbie to quickly even the battle at 11-11. Albany went up 12-11, setting the stage for yet another Dobbie equalizer. Then, not even a minute into OT, it was Dobbie’s turn to lower the curtain on what had turned out to be an unforgettable tale of lacrosse excellence.

Dane Dobbie assesses things with head coach Josh Sanderson. Calgary Roughnecks at Albany FireWolves, 12/14/24 (Photo: Geovanna Solar)

For the first 45 minutes of play, Dobbie wasn’t much of a factor in what was looking more and more like a fairly comfortable Albany win on their home floor. That was, until the number four suddenly appeared on the scoreboard.

Let’s hear from those who were there.

Dane Dobbie
Roughnecks Forward

I was struggling to score on Doug Jamieson early. I had some good looks in the first and second. Then in the third, I think it just started with two power plays. I was able to get to my spot. I was able to get clean looks off on two power plays in a row. And that kind of got the ball rolling. Then stuff was just falling from there.

Brendan Glasheen
FireWolves Play-by-Play Announcer

As we chronicled throughout the night, Dobbie was absolutely shut down. He had been held scoreless through the first three quarters. He was truly MIA, which was stunning considering his goal scoring track record.

Dane Dobbie
Roughnecks Forward

As part of the offenses I have played on, we always notice when guys have the hot stick and it just felt natural that we were doing stuff around trying to get me some shots. I don’t know if I’ve had a game where they just dropped like that. They were just constantly dropping. The guys did a lot of good things to get me open and give me good looks. And the ball was hitting my stick for the shots during the majority of the fourth quarter. It felt like the balls were going in every time I took a shot.

Curtis Dickson
Roughnecks Forward

Hard to put into words quite honestly. One of the most clutch players to ever play the game, just doing what he’s always done. It seemed like every time the ball touched his stick it went straight into the back of the net. The guys needed a spark and Dane proceeded to put up the greatest 15 minutes in league history. Just Dane being Dane.

Brendan Glasheen
FireWolves Play-by-Play Announcer

As he continued to rip off goals, our crew cut to frames of him on the bench. He looked tired, but so dialed in. Just reading his body language, Dobbie seemed to have found a formula. He shook free, but also pumped in some highly difficult attempts. A few times in the final six minutes, I looked at my partner Dan Bahl after each goal expressing, “is this really happening!?”

Curtis Dickson embraces Dane Dobbie during his historic 8-goal game. (Photo: Geovanna Soler)

“The Club of Record Holders, of which Dane Dobbie is now a member

1984 – Detroit Pistons guard Isiah Thomas tallies 16 points in final 94 seconds vs. the New York Knicks.

1999 – St. Louis Cardinals 3B Fernando Tatis hits two grand slams in one inning vs. the Los Angeles Dodgers.

2007 – Chicago Bears returner Devin Hester went the distance on an 88-yard kick return and 75-yard punt return during the third quarter of a game vs. the Denver Broncos.

2009 – New England Patriots QB Tom Brady throws five TD passes in a quarter vs. the Tennessee Titans.

2015 – Golden State Warriors guard Klay Thompson scores 37 points in one quarter vs. the Sacramento Kings.

2022- Buffalo Sabres center Tage Thompson becomes the 18^th player in NHL history to score four goals in a period.”

 

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Dane Dobbie
Roughnecks Forward

We absolutely won this game as a team. I’m not the most individual player. I can’t just put the ball on my stick and beat a guy on-on-one or beat guys one-on-five. That’s not my game at all. I need all five offensive guys, and we played 100 per cent as a team. On the last play in overtime, every guy on the floor had to do a specific thing. It was everybody sticking together, doing what we know, and building some chemistry together. It was definitely not an individual thing, give me the ball and let’s see what happens. That play was part of our offense. We have set plays and a set structure, and that’s always been one of them. Pick and rolls are a big part of my game, and thankfully I was able to get open a couple times on it.

Josh Sanderson
Roughnecks Head Coach

Everyone on the bench knew Dane was hot in the fourth, and he obviously got the big OT winner. Then after the game, when you realize he had the last eight goals in a row and hear that he set a league record, it put into perspective how special of a performance it was for him and our team. His teammates couldn’t have been happier for him.

Brendan Glasheen
FireWolves Play-by-Play Announcer

Part of our jobs as broadcasters is to chronicle not only the action, but also the story of the game. And Dane Dobbie truly flipped the script. I think I repeatedly said, “Dobbie scores again!” There were a few of those eight where I felt speechless and also magic.

Dane Dobbie
Roughnecks Forward

What sunk in is us coming back in two games, being able to win and gets off to a 2-0 start. I appreciate the record, but we play the game to try and get wins. I’m proud of the guys and how we just kept competing.

Calgary is definitely an easy place to come back to since I spent so many years with the Roughnecks. I know the organization really well. I have a lot of lifelong friends in Calgary. Going back to the Saddledome, flying into an airport I know, eating at restaurants I know, having players on the team that I’ve played with and coaches that have been a part of the team for many years. It was definitely an easy transition; the guys welcomed me with open arms. It’s nice to be back in Calgary.