The Battle of the 401: A Territorial War Ignites in Ontario
NLL Oshawa FireWolves

The Battle of the 401: A Territorial War Ignites in Ontario

Published on February 6, 2026 under National Lacrosse League (NLL)
Oshawa FireWolves News Release


Oshawa FireWolves take on the Toronto Rock
Oshawa FireWolves take on the Toronto Rock
(Oshawa FireWolves)

OSHAWA, ON - In the high-octane world of the National Lacrosse League (NLL), talent wins games, but rivalries sell tickets. This Saturday, the league's most burgeoning geographic feud reaches a boiling point as the Oshawa FireWolves trek down Ontario Highway 401 to the TD Coliseum in Hamilton. Their mission: a rematch against the Toronto Rock in a clash that has quickly become known as the Battle of the 401.

While the FireWolves are the "new kids on the block" in Ontario, the history between these two rosters is anything but fresh. Since the franchise's inception (spanning their time in New England and Albany), they have faced the Rock six times. For years, Toronto held a psychological edge, but the intensity peaked last season when the FireWolves marched into Toronto's barn and secured a staggering 11-goal victory-a win that served notice to the league that the hierarchy in Ontario was shifting.

The FireWolves move to Oshawa wasn't just a business relocation; it was a strategic placement into one of the world's most dense lacrosse hotbeds. With the two teams separated by a mere 130 kilometers of North America's busiest highway, the proximity has turned a professional matchup into a neighborhood scrap.

"It's really good for the teams and the league to see rivalry lacrosse, and it'll be cool to see it again in Ontario," said FireWolves Head Coach Glenn Clark. "As we embed ourselves in the community, we continue to build this excitement between the three teams in Ontario-Toronto, Oshawa, and Ottawa."

The narrative arc of this Saturday is anchored by the Clark family. Head Coach Glenn Clark is a synonymous name with Toronto Rock history, having cemented his legacy there as a player. Now, he finds himself in the opposite technical area, coaching his son, Taggart Clark, against the very team they both grew up idolizing.

For Taggart, the game is a surreal collision of his past and his professional future. Having played Junior "A" for the Toronto Beaches, the sights and sounds of a Toronto home game are woven into his DNA.

"Growing up as a Toronto Beaches player and watching my dad play for the Rock... those are some of the best memories I have," Taggart reflected. "When I found out I was traded to Oshawa to play for my dad, it was humbling. Now, being part of the Battle of Ontario with a new franchise is something truly special."

While the standings show a gap-Toronto sitting at 4-3 and Oshawa at 2-7-the box scores tell a story of parity. The FireWolves have developed a reputation as a "closers" team when facing the Rock. In nearly every meeting, the FireWolves have statistically dominated the fourth quarter, outlasting Toronto's defensive rotations. Captain Colton Watkinson, a ninth-year veteran, understands that records are irrelevant.

"We've already beaten them once this season, and we know we can do it again if we put together a full 60 minutes," Watkinson said. "I got a taste of winning on their floor last year, and I want that feeling again."

A rivalry is only as loud as its fans. When the Rock traveled to Oshawa earlier this season, their "Blue and White" faithful made the trip in droves, creating a neutral-site feel in the FireWolves' own building. Coach Glenn Clark is now calling on the Oshawa faithful to return the favor.

"Toronto has built up that traveling fanbase over the years," Clark noted. "I want that for our fans. I hope they travel well when we play in Toronto, helping us turn their home-floor advantage into a battleground."

With the FireWolves having lost by just one and six goals in their last two trips to the newly renovated TD Coliseum, the "script" is ready to be flipped. If Oshawa can harness the physical, late-game energy that has defined their previous meetings, the 401 might belong to them this Saturday night.

The FireWolves will be in Hamilton this Saturday night against the Rock for round two at 7:00 PM ET on TSN, TSN+, ESPN+, and NLL+.

Oshawa will return to the Tribute Communities Centre on Valentine's Day, February 14, for an intergalactic matchup against the San Diego Seals in a Galaxy Far Far Away on Star Wars Night.

Fans can secure their tickets here for the game.

Check out the Oshawa FireWolves Statistics

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Oshawa FireWolves take on the Toronto Rock
Oshawa FireWolves take on the Toronto Rock
   



National Lacrosse League Stories from February 6, 2026


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