Rock Solid Play Leaves Bandits Behind
March 27, 2005 - National Lacrosse League (NLL)
Toronto Rock News Release
Buffalo, NY â The Toronto Rock have been preparing for this rematch since the Buffalo Bandits took a 14-12 at the Air Canada Centre on March 4. Both teams were fired up for the game as 11,309 energized fans that showed up at the HSBC Arena for the much anticipated tilt. .
Buffalo drew first blood as Dan Teat opened scoring for the Bandits just 0:49 into the first quarter, assisted by John Tavares and Pat McCready. Things got chippy early on, as players endlessly hacked at each other. Shearer opened scoring for the Rock with his 11th of the season, and first of the night at 9:09. Buffalo's Rich Kilgour took a 2 minute penalty for the Bandits when he illegally checked Patrick Merrill from behind, opening the door for the Rock's second of the night at 13:00 from Colin Doyle. Play continued fast and intense from both teams right until the last seconds of the quarter when John Tavares dropped in the tying goal for the Bandits at 14:41.
Heading into the second, the forceful play continued as Matt Shearer shot his second of the night past Buffalo's Steve Dietrich at 2:50. A 2 minute penalty at 4:13 resulted in Buffalo's 1st powerplay goal of the night from Dan Teat. The border rivals traded goals for the rest of the quarter, tying the score at 6 a piece. Colin Doyle gave the Rock a one goal advantage heading into the half when he sniped one past Dietrich on a solid pass from Matt Shearer. The score was 7-6 for the Rock at the half.
The Rock found new life in the 3rd quarter as they out scored the Bandits 3-1. Manning put away his first of the night just 3 minutes into the third. The Rock were unable to capitalize on 2 Buffalo penalties but Colin Doyle netted the next goal of the game for the Rock. Buffalo's Dan Teat answered at 12:10 with help from Mark Steenhuis to bring the Bandits within 2. Toronto's Matt Shearer rounded out scoring in the third when he picked up a looseball just 2 steps over the centre line and torpedoed it past Dietrich to beat the shot clock.
With a 3 goal lead heading into the final 15 minutes of the game, Blaine Manning put one in the back of the net giving the Rock a 4 goal advantage. Buffalo goalie Derek General stepped in for Steve Dietrich following Manning's goal. Mark Steenhuis stepped up for the Bandits at 5:24 and slipped one past Watson to complete his hat trick on the night. The Rock were called on a bench minor at 8:17 but were able to kill it off despite a strong offensive push by the Bandits. Solid play from Bob Watson held the Bandits at bay giving the Rock the 12-8 win. This win also gave the Rock the 2-1 series win which may be pivotal with playoff time just around the corner. Rock high scorers were Colin Doyle (4G,2A), Josh Sanderson (3G, 2A) and Matt Shearer (2G, 3A).
Toronto's next home game takes place on Friday April 1, 2005 when they face the 2004 National Lacrosse League Championship Calgary Roughnecks. Tickets are still available for Rock 911 Night through Ticketmaster outlets online at www.ticketmaster.ca, by phone at (416) 872 5000 or in person at the Box Office at the Air Canada Centre. For more details on the night's special events, log onto www.torontorock.com.
National Lacrosse League Stories from March 27, 2005
- Anaheim Storm Win In Overtime Over San Jose Stealth - Anaheim Storm
- Rock Solid Play Leaves Bandits Behind - Toronto Rock
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