NLL Toronto Rock

Rock Wrap Up Record Setting Season

Published on April 17, 2005 under National Lacrosse League (NLL)
Toronto Rock News Release


Calgary, AB – The Toronto Rock traveled to Calgary this weekend for the final game of the National Lacrosse League's regular season schedule. The game would mean something different for each of these teams. A win for the Rock would translate into a goal setting season for the entire team, for the Roughnecks a win would secure them the title of Western Division Champions. The Rock battled hard and took an early 4 goal lead but Calgary's offensive powerhouse play in the second and third quarters would pave the way for the 20-12 demise for Toronto.

The Rock's Matt Shearer would draw first blood with the assists going to Blaine Manning and Brian Beisel. Calgary's Captain Tracey Kelusky netted the first of what would turn out to be a record setting night for him at 2:24. Kaleb Toth and Sherwood Park native Blaine Manning would each net one more for their teams before the Rock would go on a 3 goal roll (Doyle 1G, Kruger 2G) that would give them the 5-2 lead heading into the second. Josh Sanderson was also broke his own league record for assists with his 69th helper on Rusty Kruger's second goal of the night.

Tracey Kelusky opened it up in the second with help from Kaleb Toth and Kyle Goundrey. The Rock's Aaron Wilson would pot his first two of the night with some quick stick work in front of the net. Blaine Manning would add one more as well to give the Rock a 4 goal lead but that would be the last time the Rock would hold any kind of lead. A slow transition by Rock defense would result in a 3 on 1 situation that allowed Andrew McBride to blow one past Bob Watson. That goal would spark a 6 goal run by the Riggers that would give them a 10-8 lead heading into the half.

The Rock came back fast a furious in the third, as Josh Sanderson netted his first of the night just 32 seconds in. But the Calgary squad quickly put an end to any glimmer of a comeback as Kelusky netted his 5th of the night with the assist going to Ted Dowling. Jesse Phillips would put one more past Bob Watson before Roughnecks' Kyle Goundrey would make a run at Watson that Jimmy Quinlan didn't take too kindly to. A tussle between Quinlan and Goundrey would ignite match-ups between Jim Veltman and Jesse Phillips and Bob Watson and Andrew Leyshon. After all was said and done both netminders, as well as Veltman and Phillips would receive penalties for fighting and game misconducts that would see them ejected from the game.

The Rock prevailed defensively in the game but the Riggers dominated on the offensive side and would roll out another 6 goal run before the game was done. When the final buzzer sounded the Rock had fallen 20-12 to the Roughnecks, ending a 7 game winning streak for the Toronto squad. Rock top point getters were Colin Doyle (2G, 5A), Blaine Manning (2G, 5A) and Josh Sanderson (2G, 4A). Despite the loss, a number of records were set by Rock players. Colin Doyle earned the League's top scoring title with 111 points on 42 goals and 69 assists. Teammate Blaine Manning finished the season tied for 2nd in league scoring with John Grant (ROC) at 105 points. Josh Sanderson also set a couple of records; finishing tied for 3rd in league scoring with John Tavares (BUF) with 102 points and a new league record for assists in a single season with 71. Doyle also surpassed Sanderson's old record with 69 assists. The 2005 season will mark the first time that a Rock player earned the league's top scoring title and that Rock players have finished 1-2-3 in league scoring.

The Rock's next home game takes place at the Air Canada Centre on Friday April 29 at 7:30pm. Tickets for the 2005 East division semi-final game are now on sale 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.

Check out the Toronto Rock Statistics

Share: Facebook | Twitter/X | LinkedIn | Reddit | Email



National Lacrosse League Stories from April 17, 2005


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.

OurSports Central