BLACK WOLVES GO HEAD-TO-HEAD AGAINST THE ROCK FIRST TIME IN 2016
By: Justin Ivey, Beat Writer New England Black Wolves
On Valentine’s Day the New England Black Wolves will play host to the Toronto Rock at Mohegan Sun Arena. The late afternoon date will not be a loving affair. The Black Wolves inaugural season of 2015 ended with a dagger twist as Toronto beat them twice in a row to secure the top East division playoff spot. Toronto went on to play for the cup against the Edmonton Rush. The Rush would sweep them, and since – the Rock have not been able to get back to winning ways.
Toronto is 0-5 to start the 2016 season, and have only scored over 10 goals once, in a 20-17 loss to Georgia their last time out. The struggle is real. Toronto has not been able to put together enough offensive finesse to outduel anyone. With the last spot in the East, they will be hoping for a big win against a Black Wolves team gaining confidence.
Earlier this month, defensive assistant coach Dan Ladouceur was relieved of his duties in reaction to the tough start. Wiley veteran Josh Sanderson has just been placed on active roster – evaluation period list. After stepping away at the beginning of the season to contemplate his future, Toronto hopes he practices well and is able to contribute to the downward spiraling team. Toronto hopes a few changes will spark the team and get them back on track. If they keep losing the way they are, it will be interesting to see what Toronto Rock Owner, President and GM Jamie Dawick will do to shake things up further.
New England sits atop the East division at 3-2 and looks like a true contender. The addition of the 2015 MVP Shawn Evans has really paid off. Evans leads the team in points (30) and assists (17), and is tied for the team lead in goals (13) and loose balls (30). He is a main reason the Black Wolves have gone from worst to first in the East. The re-addition of Kevin Crowley has also energized the offense. Crowley was traded to Toronto last year, and then traded back during the offseason. His energy and leadership have been big factors to this start. Evan Kirk, besides a rough outing last game in Buffalo, has been lights out.
Even though the Black Wolves have been meshing well on the field, they did make a trade this past week. Quinn Powless and Mike Manley were sent to Rochester in exchange for Jordan Hall. Hall is a veteran transition player who played with the franchise in Philadelphia for two years (remember that blockbuster trade with Paul Rabil and Dan Dawson?!). The addition should help the Black Wolves get out on the break and keep possession.
Toronto beat New England three times last year. The Black Wolves went on to be the worst in the East and Toronto the best. The roles are reversed for the first meeting of 2016, but the game is the same. Animosity will be in the air, and a physical game should be expected.
My game prediction – New England 15—Toronto 9.
Justin Ivey, Beat Writer New England Black Wolves
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