Rock look to clip Wings once again

by Campbell Blake
March 23, 2002 - National Lacrosse League (NLL)

The Toronto Rock rocked the Philadelphia Wings and got their revenge for last years' championship loss with a decisive 17-9 victory last night at the Air Canada Centre. The win gives the Rock the second seed in the 2002 National Lacrosse League playoffs and most importantly a first round bye. The Wings, on the other hand, find themselves in a must win situation in tonight's rematch with the Rock in Philadelphia if they have any hopes of not missing the playoffs for the first time in franchise history.

"This game was going to give us the second seed in the playoffs and we absolutely had to win this game tonight," said Rock Head Coach Les Bartley. "We did not want to have to go down to Philadelphia in front of their crowd where they are a very strong team."

In front of 17,501 cheering fans the Rock came out like an offensive firestorm, scoring the first seven goals of the game during a twelve minute period in the first quarter on their way to an 11-6 halftime advantage. Collin Doyle and Kim Squires led the way with four goals apiece while Blaine Manning and Glenn Clark added two goals each to their season totals in the teams' 17-9 win. Dan Stroup, Darryl Gibson, Jim Veltman, Rodd Squire and Pat Coyle scored one goal each, rounding out the Rocks' score sheet for the evening.

Jake Bergey tallied four goals, Mark Millon three, and Tom Marechek and Kevin Finneran each had one for Philadelphia in their losing effort.

Toronto also received a nice surprise just before the game. The Wings were expecting to have No. 1 goalie Dallas Eliuk back in the line-up for the game, but he was a scratch at the last minute. After the pre-game warm-up Eliuk decided his injured groin muscle had not healed enough to play, so Chris Sanderson tended goal for the team.

"I am kind of surprised that they did not use him because this is so important to their franchise," said Rock captain Jim Veltman. "He must really be hurt to miss a game like this."

Wings coach Adam Mueller replaced Sanderson with Nick Schroeder of Vancouver for the last quarter. It was only Scroeder's second game of the season and it showed, as both Blaine Manning and Collin Doyle scored in the first two minutes of the fourth quarter to extend the Rock's lead to 16-7. Toronto's final goal was on an empty net.

On the other side, the Rock's Bob Watson once again show why he is one of the league's best. He only allowed nine goals on the 48 shots on the goal the Wings had to go with his 38 saves.

Even though the Rock will have the No. 2 playoff seed regardless of the outcome on Saturday night, given the bitter rivalry between the two clubs, Toronto will under no circumstances go down easy for the Wings. They actually would be quite happy to knock Philadelphia out of the playoff picture with a win.

"They beat us in the championship last year in a game that they did not deserve to beat us in. I don't care what they say is at stake," said player of the game Collin Doyle. "If we can knock them out of they playoffs, that is what we are going to do, we are not going to lay over for them to let them into the playoffs."

As they Rock head into the final game of the regular season already knowing what their playoff destiny holds, yet revenge still gives them something to play for. More importantly, Toronto would like to head into their two-week break on a winning note. You can guarantee the Rock will be looking to clip the Wings of Philadelphia for one last time.

National Lacrosse League Stories from March 23, 2002

• Rock look to clip Wings once again - OSC Original by Campbell Blake
• Wings Remain In Playoff Hunt With 12-11 OT Win - Philadelphia Wings
• STORM SINKS SHARKS - New Jersey Storm
• Power vs. Bandits - Washington Power

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