Titans lose to the Rock 14-10
January 26, 2008 - National Lacrosse League (NLL)
Orlando Titans News Release
Toronto, Can. - The New York Titans and the Toronto Rock each had stellar halves in their match up at the Air Canada Centre Saturday night. The Titans had a dominant first half, scoring eight goals to the Rock's three. But the Rock had the better second half, outscoring the Titans 11-2 and winning the game 14-10. The loss brings the Titans record to 1-2. Titans assistant captain Ryan Boyle was on fire in the beginning of the game against the Rock. He dished an assist to Jeff Ratcliffe for the first goal scored on the night 1:16 into the first quarter and followed it up by scoring two consecutive unanswered goals, both assisted by Titans captain Casey Powell.
Rock forward Chris Driscoll answered back over seven minutes into the game, bringing the score to 3-1. But Titans rookie Jordan Hall was able to get one more goal in off an assist from Casey Powell before the first quarter expired at 14:07.
The Rock were the first to score in the second quarter, with a goal by Josh Sanderson, chipping away at the Titans lead and bringing the score to 4-2. It took the Titans nearly five minutes to answer back, but once they did, they unleashed a firestorm.
First Pat Maddalena hit a diving shot off an assist from Ryan Boyle. Maddalena then assisted a goal by Jordan Hall. A few possessions later, Hall passed the ball to Boyle who passed the ball to Mike McLellan, who then hit a diving shot past the right shoulder of Rock goalie Bob Watson. Rock forward Kasey Beirnes scored a goal for Toronto with less than three minutes remaining in the half.
Again, Titans rookie Jordan Hall wouldn't let the Rock have the last word. He scored a goal off assist from Mike McLellan and Ryan Boyle with :13 left in the half and the Titans headed to the tunnel with a 8-3 lead.
But in the NLL, there's no such thing as a comfortable lead. The Rock came out swinging in the second half, scoring four quick goals within the first four minutes and swiftly erasing the Titans five goal lead.
For nine minutes, there was no scoring, but plenty of action. Titans transition player Jarett Park was pounded in the boards by Rock player Jon Harasym as he was bringing the ball up the field on a fast break. Shortly after, Park and Harasym's helmets and gloves came off and a boxing match ensued. Both Park and Harasym were slapped with a five minute major for roughing.
Will Park and Harasym in the box, the Rock scored one last goal with a minute left in the quarter to tie the game 8-8. The Titans went scoreless throughout the third quarter.
In the fourth quarter, the Rock scored two goals early and took the lead for the first time in the game. But the Titans seemed to regain their composure and stage a comeback. Ratcliffe led the surge and broke the Titans 20-minute scoring drought, hitting a shot off an assist from Ryan Boyle with less than five minutes into the fourth quarter, bringing the Rock's lead to 10-9.
Shortly after Ratcliffe's goal, the Rock committed a two-minute penalty, putting the Titans in a power play situation. Casey Powell took advantage and scored a long goal, tying the game at 10-10.
While the Rock scored the next four goals to win the game, the Titans were never out of it, having several possessions and playing calm and composed offense.
The Titans won 4-9 power play possessions on the night, wile Toronto went 0-5. Titans face-off specialist Jamie Hanford won 19-28 contests at the center circle.
Ryan Boyle and Rock forward Blaine Manning were the leaders in points on the night, each scoring two goals and dishing five assists. Titans rookie Jordan Hall wasn't far behind, scoring three goals and contributing three assists.
Titans goalie Matt Vinc had 37 saves on 51 shots on the night.
The Titans open at home against the San Jose Stealth on Thursday, January 31st at 7:30pm at Madison Square Garden. Opening night will also feature the first annual "Mayor's Cup" game - played between the New York Fire Department lacrosse team and the New York Police Department lacrosse team at 5:30 pm. A portion of the proceeds from ticket sales will be donated to the PBA Widow's & Children's Fund and the Thomas Elsasser Fund.
The rock band "Bang Camaro," one of the top American buzz bands, will also perform during the Titans warm-up and again at half-time. Bang Camaro, a five-piece band with up to 20 lead singers belting out their unique blend of 'dude powered' rock that has "redefined metal," according to Rolling Stone magazine.
Titans 2008 Season and Group Tickets are now available by calling 888-8TITANS or contact the Titans at tickets@nytitans.com. Season tickets start as low as $75 for all five games at the World's Most Famous Arena. Log onto www.nytitans.com for information on the Titans 2008 season schedule.
About the New York Titans The New York Titans are an indoor professional lacrosse team that plays at Madison Square Garden. The Titans' 2007 season was their inaugural season in the National Lacrosse League. The Titans played their first home game in franchise history at the Garden on January 20, 2007 before a crowd of 13,127. The Titans roster features world famous forwards Syracuse All-American Casey Powell and Princeton All-American Ryan Boyle. The Titans' 2008 home opener is on Thursday, January 31st at 7:30 pm versus the San Jose Stealth.
For more information about the Titans, log on to www.nytitans.com. 2008 Season and Group Tickets are now available by calling 888-8TITANS.
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National Lacrosse League Stories from January 26, 2008
- Toth sparks Roughnecks to 13-6 win over LumberJax - Calgary Roughnecks
- Lumberjax held off by Roughnecks, 13-6 - Portland Lumberjax
- Sellout crowd helps Mammoth silence Stealth - Colorado Mammoth
- San Jose Stealth drop 11-6 decision in Colorado - San Jose Stealth
- Bandits fall to Wings 14-15 in overtime - Buffalo Bandits
- Wings Remain Undefeated With 15-14 Overtime Victory Over Buffalo - Philadelphia Wings
- Titans lose to the Rock 14-10 - Orlando Titans
- Rochester Looks To Get Back To .500 With Win Against Swarm - Rochester Knighthawks
- Roughnecks avenge loss with 16-13 win over Stealth - Calgary Roughnecks
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