Justin Ivey, Beat Writer New England Black Wolves
Lacrosse is Awesome
A Sunday afternoon tilt at the Air Canada Centre celebrating Toronto’s 20 years in the league, decided first place in the East Division of the NLL. In a division that only has a separation of two games between first and last, every game is important. The New England Black Wolves (6-4) took over first place last week while they were not in action and coming into the game the Toronto Rock (5-6) sat in third. With a Toronto win, the Rock and Black Wolves would have swapped positions. New England just made a blockbuster trade sending Shawn Evans to the Buffalo Bandits for Callum Crawford, and there were questions about the team chemistry coming in. The fresh look Black Wolves took off to an early lead but needed over time to hold on for the win. Final Score: New England-8, Toronto-7.
With the championship banners printed on the back of their jerseys, Toronto came out of the gates strong. On their first shot of the game, Rob Hellyer (2G, 3A) beat New England goaltender Aaron Bold from way outside with a sidearm. Only 28 seconds had passed, and Toronto had a one goal lead. The early goal must have struck a nerve with Bold, as he was a brick wall for the rest of the quarter making 11 saves and allowing no goals. The good mojo spread to the offensive side of the field as well. Kevin Buchanan (3G, 1A) ran all the way across the turf in front of the crease, losing his defender and scoring from in close to tie the game 6:40 later. The Black Wolves found themselves a man down soon after, but Kevin Buchanan was feeling it. Streaking from the bench, be caught a pass from Stephan Leblanc (4A) and scored a shorthanded goal to take the lead. His hot hand didn’t stop there. With 13 seconds left in the quarter, he scored and completed a first quarter hat trick. After the ensuing faceoff, Bold left the turf in favor of the extra attacker, and with one second left on the clock, Kyle Buchanan (1G, 1A) ripped an underhand shot from the middle. At the end of the first quarter, New England led Toronto 4-1.
Things started slowly in the second quarter until New England was assessed a penalty for too many men 5:39 in. Just 12 seconds into the power play, Brett Hickey (2G) beat Bold over his left shoulder to cut their deficit in half. Kevin Crowley (3G) answered just over a minute later, firing a cannon on the run and from way outside. 1:34 later, Challen Rogers (1G, 1A) found himself alone on a break and faked out Bold to bring the score to 5-3. With 4:06 left, Callum Crawford (1G, 2A) scored his first goal as a member of the Black Wolves. The shot from outside beat Rock goaltender Nick Rose over his left shoulder. Much like New England in the first, Toronto pulled the goalie late in the quarter and scored with the extra attacker. Reid Reinholdt (1G) found the net with four seconds remaining. At halftime, New England led Toronto 6-4.
The topic in both locker rooms at halftime must have been defense. Both squads came out allowing nothing to get into the middle. Outside shots were easily turned away as both goalies were sharp. A Black Wolves penalty just over five minutes in, was successfully lasted out. The lone goal of the third quarter came from an unlikely source. With 1:51 remaining Brock Sorenson (1G) dunked a goal in from behind the net to cut the lead to one. Not really known for his scoring prowess, the goal was Sorenson’s third of the season, and the 24th of his six-year career. With 1:10 left on the clock, Hellyer was called for a five-minute major for goalie interference but the Black Wolves could not sore before the quarter ended. At the end of three, New England led Toronto 6-5.
The Black Wolves started the fourth quarter on the power play, but Toronto’s stingy defense again did not allow a goal while man down. 7:09 into the quarter, Mark Cockerton was tangled up on the fast break and a penalty shot was awarded. Kyle Buchanan took the shot, and Nick Rose turned the attempt away. With the momentum, Hellyer tied the game with his second goal of the night and 4:38 remaining. Crowley gave the lead back to New England 59 seconds later with his second of the game. The teams went back and forth for the next few minutes until Brett Manney was called for a penalty with 2:22 left in the game. Toronto was struggling to score and called a timeout with possession and 26 seconds remaining. Nick Rose did not return to the net, in favor of the extra attacker. Only six seconds into their six on four, Hickey fired an underhand shot from the top middle that tied the game at seven with 20 seconds remaining. The Black Wolves had the last opportunity in regulation, but Crowley’s shot didn’t reach the net. At the end of the fourth quarter, New England and Toronto were tied 7-7.
New England had the first opportunity in overtime, but Rose stood tall and Toronto had their chance. They also could not find a way to end the game and play continued. On their third possession, Crowley fired a shot from outside, scoring to end the game 2:08 into the extra frame. The win was New England’s second straight win in overtime, after beating Vancouver two weeks ago. The loss is Toronto’s third in a row, all without star forward Tom Schreiber. Final Score: New England-8, Toronto-7.
Up Next:
The New England Black Wolves (6-4) host the Toronto Rock (5-6) on Friday, March 16 at 7:30 PM EST. The game will be the third meeting between the two teams this season. The series is currently tied 1-1.