Black Bears Look to Maintain Provincial Edge over Rock
Published on January 31, 2026 under National Lacrosse League (NLL)
Ottawa Black Bears News Release
Back at .500 on the season for the fourth time, the Ottawa Black Bears will look to get back over that proverbial hump on Saturday night in Hamilton as they meet their provincial rivals, the Toronto Rock, for the first time this season.
While the Rock had a headstart of more than two decades on the Black Bears in the Battle of Ontario, that edge didn't show last season when the Black Bears defeated the Rock twice.
Overall this season, the Black Bears have been road warriors. After dropping their first road game to Las Vegas in December, they've rallied off two straight wins in Oshawa and in Buffalo.
The Rock, meanwhile, are 3-3 on the season but have won just once in the newly renovated TD Coliseum. Four of their six games thus far have been one-goal games, wins over Rochester and Calgary and losses to Oshawa and Georgia, the latter of which came in overtime a week ago.
THE GOODS
Watch: You can watch every regular season NLL game on NLL+ free of charge (excluding NLL Friday Night on TSN). Tonight's game will also be available on TSN+, and ESPN+.
The Opponent: Ottawa has yet to lose to a provincial rival. Last season, the Black Bears won both meetings with the Rock, 11-5 at home and 12-11 on the road. They also defeated Oshawa this season, 16-14.
The Stat: Jeff Teat leads the league in points (57) entering play in Week 9. He also leads all forwards in loose balls (57, which is also tied for 10th among all positions).
This year, the Black Bears will play four Friday home games and five Saturday home games from November to April.
Next up at home is a Saturday meeting with Calgary on Feb. 7 at Canadian Tire Centre.
National Lacrosse League Stories from January 31, 2026
- Las Vegas Desert Dogs WIN, 16-13, in Front of SELLOUT Crowd on Gretzky Night - Las Vegas Desert Dogs
- Rock Run over Black Bears in 17-10 Triumph - Toronto Rock
- Bandits Fall Behind Early in Loss to Mammoth - Buffalo Bandits
- Knighthawks Downed by Warriors - Rochester Knighthawks
- Warriors' Massive Third Quarter Propels Vancouver, 16-6, over Rochester - Vancouver Warriors
- Thunderbirds, Swarm Ready for Country Night Showdown in the Nest - Halifax Thunderbirds
- Seals Roll over Philly Behind Big Effort from Origlieri and Defense - San Diego Seals
- Black Bears Look to Maintain Provincial Edge over Rock - Ottawa Black Bears
- What to Watch for vs. Ottawa Black Bears - Toronto Rock
- Oshawa Travels Down South for a Battle in Las Vegas - Oshawa FireWolves
- Wings Postgame: Wings (7) vs. Seals (13) Final - Philadelphia Wings
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