Shearer's overtime marker extends Rock win streak
by Todd Devlin
February 11, 2006 - National Lacrosse League (NLL)
Toronto Rock
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 in front of 16,235 Rock faithful at the Air Canada Centre.
Shearer also scored the final two goals in regulation for the Rock, who have now won each of their last three games and sport a 3-4 record overall. The division-leading Knighthawks, meanwhile, fell to 4-2 and witnessed their four-game winning streak come to an end.
Aaron Wilson led the Rock offence, scoring four times on the evening to go along with Shearer's hat-trick. Colin Doyle potted 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 just 18 seconds into the quarter, one that featured each team score 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, thus setting the stage for Shearer's heroics.
The Rock (3-4) will look to improve their record to an even .500 tomorrow night against the Edmonton Rush (0-5). Toronto will fly to Edmonton Saturday morning before the late-evening tilt against the Rush, a 10:30 p.m. Eastern start.
Game Notes: Friday's game marked the second Rock contest this season that has gone into OT (Jan.7 vs. Arizona) ... Toronto's five power play goals marked a season high ... Toronto Argonauts QB Damon Allen presented Rock captain Jim Veltman with a plaque commemorating his 2000th career loose ball, which he accomplished on Feb. 5 against Calgary ... The U of T Varsity Blues women's lacrosse team scrimmaged on the floor at halftime.
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National Lacrosse League Stories from February 11, 2006
- Fourth quarter burst gives Mammoth win over Stealth in front of SRO crowd - Colorado Mammoth
- Stealth fall to Colorado, 8-7 - San Jose Stealth
- Wings Defeat Buffalo 10-9 - Philadelphia Wings
- Rochester Knighthawks vs. Arizona Sting - Rochester Knighthawks
- Shearer's overtime marker extends Rock win streak - OSC Original by Todd Devlin
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