NLL Toronto Rock

Rock 1-1 in preseason

December 1, 2006 - National Lacrosse League (NLL)
Toronto Rock News Release


Last night, the rain came down lightly outside the newly built GM Center in Oshawa for the start of the Toronto Rock's final exhibition game of the preseason hosting the Arizona Sting. Playing to a packed house of lacrosse fans who braved the weather, the Rock looked to end their preseason on a high note.

As the crowd chanted "Let's go Rock!" on the team's third offensive possession, the Rock was the first to score at the 2:11 mark on a shot by Justin Kulla. With the defensive intensity showing on both ends, a shoving match ensued on Sting end resulting in J.J Dickie receiving a roughing penalty. Shortly after that, Matt Shearer was called for roughing now leaving the Rock down to three men. The Sting took advantage the powerplay and evened the score at one goal piece at 6:34 courtesy of Bruce Conn. The Rock's defense was holding strong late when holding was called on captain Jim Veltman leading to another Sting powerplay goal by Andrew Lazore at 10:55. The Sting's offence seemed to be on complete control late in the first quarter. The Sting's Danny Dawson would go get on the board by scoring at 11:42 making the score 3 - 1. The Sting's Conn received a penalty for holding allowing for the Rock to score on their first powerplay goal by Josh Sanderson at 12:58. Goalie Bob Watson was playing well late in the quarter, stopping several bullets from Sting players at near point blank distance.

The second quarter started in a similar way as the first but Toronto stuck early as Colin Doyle scored narrowing the Sting lead to 1 goal helping to energize the crowd. The Rock offense seemed to look more alive early on in the quarter. The Sting seemed to be trying to match the Rock's renewed intensity, but was unable to come away their success in the first quarter. Chris Driscoll was called for holding at 5:13 leading to another powerplay, but the Rock defense held solid only allowing two shots on net. The Sting were playing sloppily mid way through the quarter which lead to turnovers but the Rock came away empty on two breakaways. The Sting's Bruce Plunkett would go on to score at the 9:13 mark extending their lead to 5 - 3. Both teams seemed to be picking up a sense of urgency late, with both offenses and defenses playing well. Arizona's goalkeeper Ron Schbild seemed to be stopping some key shots when his team was shorthanded. In the combined 4 minutes that Veltman received for a double penalty late in the quarter, the Toronto defense did not give up a goal.

The third quarter starts with the Rock looking like they are rejuvenated from the halftime break starting off aggressively. Colin "Popeye" Doyle scores early at the :24 mark and that is quickly followed up by Blaine Manning at the 1:19 evening the score 5 -5. with the Sting two men short, the Rock looked to take advantage midway through the quarter and they did taking a 6 - 5 lead on the third goal by Popeye at 3:47. The Rock was definitely showing signs of new life killing the powerplay midway. Newly inserted goalkeeper Mike Poulin was a stopping everything thrown at him by Arizona. The Rock definitely seemed to find and answer to the defending the powerplay not allowing a goal in the quarter. The only thing keeping the Sting from getting blown out at that point was goalie Poulin who was stopping most of Toronto's shots on net, including a dramatic breakaway late. By the end of the quarter, both teams looked to be scrapping it out like tired boxers, but the Rock end the quarter in the led for the first time in the game.

With "Eye of the Tiger' starting off the fourth quarter, the Rock were looking to put the game out of reach. On an ensuing powerplay, the Rock's Matt Shearer scores in close at the 1:38 mark upping the lead to 7 -6. Arizona quickly responded by scoring on the next play by Matt Brown at 2:02. Arizona nearly scored again but the goal was waved off as a penalty was called before the goal. Both teams seemed to be in powerplay mode as both played 4 on 4 for most of the first 5 minutes with occasional 3 on 4s due to multiple penalties. Both teams were playing excellent powerplay defense not allowing a goal the longest stretch of the game before Doyle scored his fourth increasing the lead to 8 - 6. Amidst the chants of "Go Rock Go" by the crowd, Toronto seemed to feed off the energy keeping their defense tight. But with Arizona constantly attacking, the Sting's Matt Brown scored at the 10:45 mark narrowing the lead to one. Soon after, the Sting's Conn struck again at 12:32 tying the game at 8 - 8. The go ahead goal was scored at 13:04 by Andy Secore amid the Rock defense looking worn down from playing short for so long. The crowd looked to will the Toronto to score with their cheering and the team seemed to play off the energy late but it was not enough. The Rock pulled the their goalie in the finally minute for an extra attacker but the plan backfired as the Sting's goalie Brandon Atherton scored their tenth and Lindsay Plunkett scored the eleventh nine seconds later, both on an empty net. The Sting out shoot the Rock on goal 63 - 49 leading the to the final score of 11 - 8 in favor of Arizona.

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