Rock Fly Over The Wings
February 27, 2004 - National Lacrosse League (NLL)
Toronto Rock News Release
A rowdy crowd of 15,820 Toronto Rock fans walked away happy Friday night after the hometown Rock defeated the Philadelphia Wings 18 â 15.
The game was an entertaining, back and forth affair that saw numerous lead changes and even more ties.
Toronto opened the scoring at the 3:14 mark of the first quarter, but the game was quickly tied, which seemed to set the tone for the evening. The first quarter ended in a 5 â 5 tie, highlighted by four points (three goals and an assist) by Rock forward Aaron Wilson.
The Rock started the second quarter quickly, with Manning scoring at the 1:20 point, only to have the game tied again 22 seconds later on a goal by Marachek. The Wings appeared to pull away in the second with goals by Tower and two more by Marachek, at which point Rock goalie Anthony Cosmo was pulled, after allowing nine goals on only 20 shots, replaced by Bob Watson. By the end of the second quarter, the Rock battled back to within one, 9 - 8.
At the start of the second half, the Rock continued with the theme for the night, tying the game at nine with a shorthanded goal by Doyle at 1:28, and taking the lead just over a minute later on a goal by Toll. Shearer picked up the second Rock hat trick of the night late in the third quarter on a penalty shot.
The third quarter was marred by several physical confrontations between the teams, culminating in a vicious high-sticking incident by Bergey on Veltman. The result was a five-minute powerplay for the Rock that seemed to turn the game in their favour for good.
The fourth quarter saw Rock hat tricks added by Doyle and Manning, and the home team appeared to pull away. The Wings made it close near the end with four goals in just over two minutes by Tower, Cromwell, Ratliff and Martin. The late flurry of goals saw the Wings claw their way within one goal, but the comeback was put on hold by two more Rock goals, including another penalty shot with only a few seconds to go.
The final score was The Toronto Rock 18, The Philadelphia Wings 15. The Rock player of the game was Shearer with seven points (five goals, two assists). The next home for the Rock is Friday, March 12 against The Rochester Knighthawks.
National Lacrosse League Stories from February 27, 2004
- Rock Fly Over The Wings - Toronto Rock
- Wings Announce Retirement of Defensive Veteran Paul Cantabene - Philadelphia Wings
- Wings Defeated By Rock 18-15 - Philadelphia Wings
- Popular player signed by Roughnecks - Calgary Roughnecks
- Roughnecks weekend games televised - Calgary Roughnecks
- NLL notes - NLL
- Rock Prepare for Third Annual Charity Classic - Toronto Rock
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