By: Di Miller, NLL Correspondent
The Toronto Rock (3-8) hosted the Saskatchewan Rush (8-3) at the Air Canada Centre on Friday March 25 in front of a crowd of 8,836 fans. The Rock had just come off their third win of the season the last two back-to-back and were trying to go for a fourth, but the Rush who had just come off a three game winning streak were ready to roll and make it four. Unfortunately for Toronto, although they held tough throughout the entire game they couldn’t defeat the red hot Rush. Final Score: Saskatchewan 11—Toronto 9.
The scoring would begin only 34 seconds in when Scott Johnston would find net unassisted to put the Rock on the board. But the Rush, less than three minutes later would score twice with Mark Matthews (2:57) assist to Robert Church and Chris Corbeil; followed by back-to-back goals from Zack Greer (3:41 and 5:55). Toronto would strike back a little more than 30 seconds later when Kasey Biernes would score (6:29) for his first of three and the final goal of the quarter. The fans would be forced to sit through almost nine minutes of scoreless lacrosse. Score at the end of the first: Rush 3—Rock 2.
Heading into the second the fans would have to sit through yet another long stretch of no offense, yet amazing defense and goal tending. Finally at 7:55 Stephan Leblanc would break the dead-lock and tie the game for the Rock. Unfortunately that didn’t last long when Jarrett Davis would break the tie less than 30 seconds later at 8:25, assist to Curtis Knight and Greer. But Toronto would answer back at 9:21 with Brett Hickey sending it between the pipes for his only goal of the game, assist to Rob Hellyer and Leblanc. The remainder of the second would belong to the Rush scoring three times. Knight (10:38); followed by back-to-back goals by Ben McIntosh (11:45 and 14:14). That would do it for the second. Going into the half the Rush would still hold the lead 7-4.
The third quarter would start off with Toronto’s Hellyer getting his first and only goal of the game at 3:18, assist to Leblanc. Unfortunately it took the Rush only 10 seconds to hit net when Jeremy Thompson would score unassisted and his first of two on the night. Leblanc would follow up for the Rock (6:17) assist to Brock Sorenson and Jesse Gamble. Biernes would put another on the board for Toronto (8:13). But the Rush would again snuff out the two goals for the Rock when McIntosh would get his third of the night (hat-trick) at 8:41, assist to R. Loewen. Biernes would close out the third with his final of the night (hat-trick) at 14:29. The Rock had outscored the Rush 4-2 bringing them to within one. Score at the end of the third: Rush 9—Rock 8.
The fans were hopeful that the Rock would launch a full-blown attack on the Rush in the fourth, but instead again, had to sit through a dull drum of over 12 minutes of scoreless lacrosse. The Rock would finally see their team put the first goal on the board in the fourth when Leblanc would get his hat-trick at 12:45 and the final goal of the game for Toronto. Although Nick Rose, net-minder for the Rock did his absolute best as he had done so well throughout the game, he could not hold off the Rush and at 14:34 Knight would get his second of the night followed by Thompson at 14:50. And that’s when everything broke loose. Both Hellyer (Rock) and Greer (Rush) would be called for fighting at 14:50 and each receive a five minute major. With the last 10 seconds ticking off the clock, the Rock just didn’t have the time needed to put two more on the board to tie the game. Final Score: Rush 11—Rock 9.
Toronto gave Saskatchewan a run for their money and it seems as though the change in the coaching staff has paid off. The Rock are playing better quality lacrosse and holding tough during each game, but can they continue to give teams a run for their money?
Both net-minders played amazing with Aaron Bold (Rush) 29 saves on 38 SOG giving him a .763 SV%; and Nick Rose (Rock) 40 saves on 5o SOG giving him a .800 SV%.
Tonight, Toronto (3-8) will head to the Sasktel Centre to face the Rush (8-3) for the second time in as many days. Will Toronto be able to overcome their loss from Friday night or will the momentum the Rush have shown over the last few weeks take charge? We shall see.
Di Miller, NLL Correspondent
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