Josh Currier scores his first NLL pro goal

Peterborough’s Josh Currier scored his professional National Lacrosse League goal and Peterborough’s Turner Evans scored his first NLL goal of the season Thursday night in a 12-5 win by the Toronto Rock over the Rochester Knighthawks at Blue Cross Arena in Rochester.

The Toronto Rock enjoyed the first benefit of an overhauled roster.

The many new faces on the team have not experienced the Rock’s history or troubles in Rochester, and therefore had a clear frame of mind to put together a dominant performance on both ends of the floor in the 12-5 win over the Knighthawks.

The offence, which was dealt another blow earlier in the day when Stephan Leblanc was scratched from the lineup, showed a bit of promise. The transition, spotty at times last season, was dominant particularly in the second period. And the defence was stellar, giving the Knighthawks very little to work with all night and when they did get an opportunity, goaltender Nick Rose was there to shut the door, making 43 saves.

With Leblanc out, Brett Hickey was thrust into the role of the team’s go-to scorer and he managed to open the scoring in the league’s first game of the season nearly four minutes in with a bounce shot past Rochester goaltender Matt Vinc, who plays for the MSL’s Peterborough Lakers.

Midway through the period, Damon Edwards stayed around from a defensive shift to play a little offence and scored to increase Toronto’s lead. Wayne Van Every eventually got Rochester on the board but Kasey Beirnes answered seconds later. Late in the period, Currier and Joel Matthews both scored for Rochester to even the game 3-3 after a quarter.

The Rock’s transition game kicked into gear midway through the second period. Hickey came to the net taking a pass from Brodie Merrill and beating Vinc for a shorthanded marker, his second of the game. Just over a minute later, Merrill found Beirnes in transition for his second. Evans Currier

Then Merrill, the newly-minted Rock captain, got the ball again in transition and put a high shot in the net. Soon after, another transition goal as Jordan Magnuson, activated from the practice roster this week, scored to increase the lead to 7-3. Quinn Powless responded for Rochester to end the run.

With under two minutes to go in the half, Beirnes was found in transition and he completed his hat trick. Then Evans scored on a set offence to chase Vinc from the net briefly in favour of Angus Goodleaf. The Rock took a 9-4 lead to the dressing room and the home side received a few boos from its passionate fanbase.

Vinc returned to the net for the second half but five minutes into the third quarter, Hickey scored his third, giving Toronto its first powerplay marker of the year. Then Mikey MacDonald scored his first NLL goal. Rochester began to press offensively and after a few misses, Powless scored his second but just before the end of the third, Kieran McArdle added his name to the NLL scoring roll to give the Rock the seven-goal lead going into the final frame.

Rose was stellar in shutting Rochester out in the fourth quarter and the Rock slowed the game down to preserve the win but ended the game with 56 shots on goal.

The Rock now get some time to enjoy around the new year and prepare for the Air Canada Centre opener Jan. 14 against the twotime defending NLL champion Saskatchewan Rush.

Here’s a look at the teams the Rock will be facing this season:

BUFFALO BANDITS

Dhane Smith became the sport’s dominant offensive player last season with 72 goals and 137 points, both NLL records to lead the defending East champions. He’ll once again be supported up front by veterans Ryan Benesch and Mark Steenhuis. Steve Priolo anchors the defence and Anthony Cosmo will once again get most of the work in goal. The Bandits also acquired forward Craig Point and 2016 transition player of the year Brad Self from the Knighthawks.

GEORGIA SWARM

An exciting, young forward group led by rookie of the year Randy Staats will try to continue the Swarm’s upward trend. The popular and recognizable Thompson brothers of Miles, Lyle, and Jerome are joined up front by Kiel Matisz along with veteran Jordan Hall, acquired from the New England Black Wolves. Mike Poulin joins the team from the Calgary Roughnecks to form a strong goaltending tandem with Brodie MacDonald. Rookies Bryan Cole and Connor Sellars should help defensively.

NEW ENGLAND BLACK WOLVES

Peterborough’s Shawn Evans, the 2015 NLL MVP, led the Wolves in scoring and will again lead veterans Pat Saunders, Kevin Buchanan, Kevin Crowley and Kyle Buchanan up front, along with Chad Culp, acquired from the Bandits and first-round draft pick Seth Oakes. Defender Scott Self was added from the Knighthawks while transition player Jay Thorimbert was acquired from the Bandits. Veteran Evan Kirk will get much of the work in goal.

ROCHESTER KNIGHTHAWKS

The team will start 2017 without Laker Cory Vitarelli, Cody Jamieson and newly acquired Laker Andrew Suitor, but expect them back once the season begins. In the meantime, veterans Dan Dawson, Stephen Keogh and Joe Resetarits will be joined by firstround picks Peterborough’s Josh Currier and Kyle Jackson up front. Paul Dawson, Ian Llord, Sid Smith and former Rock defender Luc Magnan head the back line. Laker Matt Vinc should again be amongst the league’s top goaltenders.

CALGARY ROUGHNECKS

Without Poulin, Frankie Scigliano gets his shot as the starting goaltender. Curtis Dickson and Jeff Shattler will again lead the forwards along with Wes Berg, Dane Dobbie, Tyler Digby and Peterborough rookie Holden Cattoni. Dan MacRae led the team in loose balls and will be aided defensively by Tyler Burton and Scott Carnegie. The transition is led by veteran Curtis Manning and the improving Karsen Leung.

COLORADO MAMMOTH

Callum Crawford was third in league scoring with 115 points including a league-record-tying 83 assists. Peterborough native John Grant Jr. will return for the 18th season of his hall-of-fame-worthy career. Zack Greer comes from the Saskatchewan Rush where he scored 40-plus goals in each of his first two seasons. The defensive corps gave up the second-fewest goals last year. Dillon Ward was a close second in goals-against average with 10.33 last season.

SASKATCHEWAN RUSH

Though without Greer, the Rush are still led by Mark Matthews and Robert Church, along with Ben McIntosh and Curtis Knight. Adam Jones comes from Colorado and first-overall pick Ryan Keenan (son of coach and general manager Derek) along with third-overall pick Mike Messenger add to the potent attack. Chris Corbeil anchors a veteran defence. Jeremy Thompson leads the transition and Aaron Bold will try to defend his title as the league’s top goaltender.

VANCOUVER STEALTH

Veteran Rhys Duch, who enjoyed a fine 2016 with 111 points, leads the offence with Logan Schuss and Corey Small back as well as the team looks to improve from a poor season. Ian Hawksbee, who led the team with 119 loose balls anchors a strong defence. Tyler Richards returns to the Stealth goal. Former Rock forward Garrett Billings will start the season on injured reserve.