ROCK LOSE OVERTIME THRILLER TO BLACK WOLVES 2/14/16
By: Michael King, Beat Writer Toronto Rock
On February 14, 2016 the Toronto Rock (0-6) headed to the Mohegan Sun Arena to take on the New England Black Wolves (4-2) in front of 3,512 screaming fans. The Rock who are going through a rebuilding stage after a changing of the guards hoped to defeat their Eastern Division rivals, but it was not meant to be. Although the game was a thriller and went into overtime, the Rock couldn’t come away with the victory. Final Score: New England 17—Toronto 16.
The first quarter started out with Black Wolves forward Shawn Evans scoring only 1:49 into the first. Less than two minutes later Kasey Beirnes would hit net. But New England wasn’t going to give in and went on a three goal scoring run. They would see goals from Sheldon Burns and Pat Saunders score less than thirty seconds apart. Kevin Crowley would be the next to score for the Wolves at 8:36. The quarter was scoreless for almost five minutes before the Rock would put up the final goal of the period with Stephan Leblanc hit net with less than two minutes remaining. Penalties were huge in the quarter. New England would receive five penalties, the first on Jimmy Purves, a two-minute illegal cross checking; Sheldon Burns would receive two, both two-minute tripping calls at 7:26 and 10:33; Dan Ball would be called for a two-minute intentional contact dead ball call at 13:39; and Bill O’Brien another two-minute intentional contact dead ball at 14:23. The Rock would lead the quarter in penalties with six, Bradley Kri a two-minute holding at 4:40; Kasey Beirnes a two-minute goal/crease violation at 8:02; Brock Sorensen would be nailed for two penalties, the first slashing (two-minute) at 8:24 and the second another two-minute penalty for checking from behind at 10:33; Josh Sanderson was called for an intentional contact dead ball (two-minute) also at 13:39; and Brett Hickey would round out the quarter another intentional contact dead ball (two-minute) at 14:23. Of the four quarters of regulation play and including overtime, this would be the highest number of penalties in a period. Score at the end of the first: Wolves 4—Rock 2.
Leblanc would start off the second scoring for the Rock 2:30 into the period, but the Wolves would surpass them with two more, Evans and Saunders would each get their second of the game. Toronto would answer back with two of their own when Rob Hellyer would hit net only 26 seconds later followed by Jesse Gamble. Again, New England struck back with Crowley getting his second of the game. Toronto would put two more on the board when Brett Hickey with the assist to Leblanc would score. Less than 25 seconds later Leblanc would score again giving him a hat-trick at 13:04. Unfortunately for the Rock, Crowley would get his third of the night (hat-trick) 21 seconds later and the final score of the first half. Penalties were low in the second quarter. New England would see John Ranagan nailed with two separate penalties, both two-minute infractions, an illegal cross checking at 1:38 and a holding call at 12:18. New England would see Beirnes get his second of the game with an illegal cross checking (two-minute) at 5:16. At the end of the first half, New England would lead by the score of 8-4.
At the start of the third, Toronto would come out with the first two points of the period when Hickey and Hellyer would get their second of the game. But yet again, the Wolves weren’t done. The fans would see four unanswered goals from Crowley (fourth); and Evans who would put up back-to-back-to-goals giving him the hat trick (four on the night). Toronto would score the final two of the third from Colin Doyle and Hickey closing out the third with his third goal of the game also giving him a hat trick. Penalties were even in the third with Toronto’s Brodie Merrill receiving an illegal cross check (two-minute) at 4:40; and Turner Evans an illegal substitution bench minor (two-minute) at 5:22. New England would see O’Brien got his second of the game, an illegal cross checking (two-minute) at 9:06; and Kyle Buchanan a two-minute checking from behind at 10:12. Tempers were flaring; players were pumped; and the Rock wanted to win this game. Score at the end of the third: 12-11 with the Wolves still in the lead.
In the fourth quarter, somehow the Rock turned it up a notch putting five goals on the board. They would see Josh Sanderson with his first of the game; Hellyer his third for a hat trick; Doyle and Gamble with their second of the night; and Leblanc with his fourth. New England would see two points from Saunders, giving him a hat trick; Jordan Hall would hit net for the first time in the game; and Evans with his sixth of the game and a sock trick. With the Leblanc goal, the Rock would go ahead at 14:41 in the fourth, but Evans and the Wolves weren’t going to stop there and he would close out the fourth and tie the game with only seven seconds left on the clock. The Rock would lead the quarter in penalties with Brock Sorensen nailed for two more two minute penalties, a roughing call at 0:59 and an illegal cross checking at 12:21; Jamie Batson would receive a two-minute holding call at 12:21. New England would see Pete Rennie receive his first of the game with a two minute roughing at 0:59; and the final penalty of the fourth would be the third for Ranagan with a two-minute holding call at 13:17. The score at the end of regulation: Wolves 16—Rock 16.
The fans that were fortunate enough to attend the game had no idea the type of game they would witness. Heading into overtime, it would only take the Wolves 49 seconds to put the final point on the board when Kyle Buchanan with his only goal of the game, would turn out to be the hero giving New England the victory in over time. Final Score: New England 17—Toronto 16.
Game Stats:
Toronto Rock: 54 SOG; 30 SOFF; 70 LB; 25-37 on face-offs; .676 FO%; 5-7 PP
New England Black Wolves: 58 SOG; 29 SOFF; 70 LB; 12-37 on face-offs; .324 FO%; 6-8 PP
Goalie Stats:
Toronto Rock—Brandon Miller: 60:49 minutes; 41-58 Saves; .707 SV%; 17 GA
New England Black Wolves—Evan Kirk: 60:49 minutes; 38-54 Saves; .704 SV%; 16 GA
The Rock led in face-offs by a substantial margin, and typically that means you come out on top. But Evans was on fire and if you can’t stop him from scoring, no matter what your net-minder or defense does, there’s a fairly good chance you’re going to lose that game.
Toronto needs to figure out what they can do to salvage the remainder of the season. They have a huge hill to climb but it seems as though they are making headway. Will it be enough? Time will tell.
Next up Toronto will take on their Eastern Division rivals the Buffalo Bandits (4-2) at the Air Canada Centre on February 19, 2016.
Michael King, Beat Writer Toronto Rock
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