Rock open season with victory over Calgary
Defence has been a Toronto Rock trademark but it was the offence that carried them to a 16-11 victory over the Calgary Roughnecks in the National Lacrosse League season opener for both teams Friday night.
“It was the way we wanted to start the season,” said forward Stephan Leblanc, who led the way with five goals. “We were fired up and the goals were dropping for us.”
Toronto finished first overall last season, so general manager Terry Sanderson saw no need for drastic change. The offence clicked for five goals on its first nine shots and the defence and goalie Nick Rose limited 2013 scoring champion Shawn Evans to one goal.
Rob Hellyer, at 21 the youngest player in a veteran-laden attack, looked good on the right side as he assumed the bulk of the playing time that had previously been committed to the now-retired Blaine Manning. Hellyer popped three goals in his enhanced role.
“With only six offensive guys out of 16 runners, you’re going to be out there all the time,” said Hellyer, alluding to the league’s reduction to 16 from 18 runners. “I’ve had a good three years with this team and I’ve learned a lot. I think now it’d be nice to step and make a bigger contribution.”
Colin Doyle and Josh Sanderson have been amazing for a long time. They each scored twice.
“We stuck to a game plan and it certainly worked,” said Doyle. “I don’t think we saw their best. That’s for certain. But, as far as starts go, that was a pretty good start.” Jesse Gamble, Kasey Beirnes, Garrett Billings and Ethan O’Connor added one each for the Rock, who held quarter leads of 7-3, 9-4 and 12-6. “It was special,” said new head coach John Lovell. “Our guys worked really hard for this.” Billings had nine assists in front of an Air Canada Centre crowd of11,120.
“It’s a credit to the chemistry we have up front,” Billings said of his 10-point night. Manning was behind the bench for the first time, as offensive coach.
“It’s great to put up numbers like that. I’ve been with this core group for four years now so I’ve got good chemistry playing with Steph going back to our junior days and ever since Josh Sanderson put on a Rock jersey for the second time we’ve had great chemistry, too. It helps knowing where all the guys are going to be on the floor.
“It’s fun. I’d have liked to have scored a couple more goals. But what can you do?”
Jeff Shattler scored four goals, Dane Dobbie had two and Evans, Daryl Veltman, Geoff Snider, Curtis Dickson and Matthew Dinsdale one each for the Roughnecks, who were outshot 61-51.
NOTES: On power plays, Toronto was 4 for 8 and Calgary 3 for 3 . . . Veteran Rock defencemen Pat Merrill and Chris White sat out with what the team described as lowerbody injuries . . . Both teams play their second games of 2014 next Friday, with Toronto at Buffalo and Colorado at Calgary.