NLL Toronto Rock

Rock win OT thriller against rival Knighthawks at ACC

Published on February 10, 2006 under National Lacrosse League (NLL)
Toronto Rock News Release


TORONTO - Forward Matt Shearer scored his third goal of the game just 24 seconds into overtime to give the Rock a thrilling 11-10 come-from-behind overtime victory on Friday Feb. 10 in front of 16, 235 Rock faithful at the Air Canada Centre.

Shearer also scored the final two goals in regulation for the Rock, winners of their past three contests. The division-leading Knighthawks, meanwhile, fell to 4-2 and witnessed their four-game winning streak come to an end.

For Shearer, who sat out last game as a healthy scratch, it was an important personal victory to help his team.

"It was something I needed to do, to get a few goals and help me team. I haven't produced in the past few games," Shearer said.

Shearer was in the dog house of head coach and general manager Terry Sanderson but has found his way out after tonight's stellar performance.

"It sure is nice to have a guy come in and pot the last three for us," said Sanderson following the victory. "I'm pretty happy for him."

Aaron Wilson led the Rock offence, scoring four times on the evening to go along with Shearer's hat-trick. Colin Doyle notched two goals as well, while Blaine Manning and Josh Sanderson each netted one apiece.

Veteran forward John Grant led the Rochester attack, scoring four times while adding two assists. Shawn Evans also had two markers for the Knighthawks.

The physical play to start the game was capped off by Toronto's Patrick Merrill who received one of his three first-quarter minors, a boarding penalty just 2:09 into the contest. On the ensuing power play, Rochester forward Scott Evans opened the scoring, notching his sixth goal of the season to give the Knighthawks the early 1-0 advantage.

Veterans John Grant and Steve Toll each added a goal for the Knighthawks before Toronto's Aaron Wilson put the Rock on the board with a power play marker at 11:21 of the frame. For Wilson, it was his team-leading 15th of the season and the 100th of his young NLL career.

Grant and Mike Accursi scored back-to-back goals to open the second quarter, giving the Knighthawks a commanding 5-1 lead. However, Wilson quickly responded for the Rock, notching his second and third scores of the night. Blaine Manning followed with his first of the game at 13:10 of the second quarter to close Rochester's lead to 5-4 heading into the dressing room.

After a relatively low-scoring first half, both teams came out firing on all cylinders in the third quarter. Shawn Evans opened the scoring with his first of the game just 18 seconds into the quarter, one that featured each team notch four goals apiece.

Doyle closed the third frame with his second goal of the contest with 3.4 seconds left on the clock.

The third quarter also featured more physical play and was highlighted by a heated tout between feisty Knighthawks rookie forward Shawn Evans and veteran tough guy and Rock defenceman Dan Ladouceur.

The Rock then outscored Rochester 2-1 in the final quarter to send the game into overtime before Shearer's heroics.

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National Lacrosse League Stories from February 10, 2006


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