Rock Round-Up Roughnecks
April 1, 2005 - National Lacrosse League (NLL)
Toronto Rock News Release
TORONTO, ON- The Air Canada Centre played host to the NLL's second All-Canadian battle on Friday night, as the Toronto Rock took on the Calgary Roughnecks. The night of the northern turmoil was also the night of a tremendously successful salute to 911 night, as the Rock and their loyal fans honoured the GTA's men and women in uniform. With police officers, firefighters and emergency workers on the field and in the stands, all 17141 fans could feel the pride of Canada throughout the stadium.
An additional game-worthy fact saw a match-up of the 2004 Champions take on the 2003 champions. It seemed fitting that the Rock jumped out to an early lead with a powerplay goal from Colin Doyle at 2:28 in, as his first of the night foreshadowed the rest of the thrilling game. Calgary, however, would make it interesting and would not let the goal go unanswered as they netted two of their own just 7 seconds apart. The battle for the one-up continued until the end of the first as the goals traded east and west. Two Rock penalties, one a minor and one a bench penalty for too many men, resulted in an unusual lacrosse situation as the Roughnecks were given a penalty shot. Calgary emerged successful from the baffling turn of events and lead the Rock by a score of 5-2, kicking Toronto into a serious scoring surge. Toronto rejuvenated and for the rest of the game proved to Calgary that their Champions Cup had no security. Toronto worked for the throne and sniped 3 goals before the quarter's end, tying the score at 5 apiece.
The pace of the game dramatically flipped from an offensive ten-goal first quarter to an intense defensive battle in the second, with only two goals registering on the scoreboard. Each and every quarter started in a tied score, and the game came down to the fourth quarter. The Rock turned on their A-game with Pat Merrill's aggressive run at Calgary's Brad MacDonald. With both players in the box, a fired up Colin Doyle put away his third and fourth of the night, and quickly followed with his impressive fifth shortly after. The Roughnecks caved to the Rock's pressuring fore-check, and surrendered a penalty due to frustration. Toronto took this frustration and ran with it- literally. The points spread like rapid fire throughout the Rock line-up, as Toronto secured Canadian bragging rights with a 2-0 lead in the series. The battle saw the Rock emerge victorious as they scored six unanswered goals in the last quarter to finish a spectacular game, winning 16-10. Rock top scorers were Colin Doyle (5G, 3A), Aaron Wilson (3G, 4A) and Josh Sanderson (1G, 6A).
Join the Rock for their next home game Sunday, April 10th as they take on the Philadelphia Wings. Tickets as still available for the game that will feature the annual mascot game and Toronto Sun Autograph session through Ticketmaster outlets online at www.ticketmaster.ca, by phone at (416) 872 5000, or at the Box Office at the Air Canada Centre.
National Lacrosse League Stories from April 1, 2005
- Rock Round-Up Roughnecks - Toronto Rock
- Paul Gait scores two in debut as Mammoth beat Swarm - Colorado Mammoth
- Knighthawks at Buffalo tonight - Rochester Knighthawks
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
