Rock Beat Black Wolves 13-12

April 12, 2019

ROCK BEAT BLACK WOLVES 13-12

Toronto Ties Franchise Mark For Home Wins

Toronto, ON – It was just another night in Rock City, another home win and another one-goal game. The Toronto Rock (11-6) defeated the New England Black Wolves (8-8) by a score of 13-12 on Friday night at Scotiabank Arena. The win also means the Rock can finish no worse than third in the East Division and still have a chance to host a home playoff game.

“You’re always wanting more and maybe wanting a bit of separation but maybe that’s what we are,” said Rock Head Coach Matt Sawyer about his team’s knack for playing in and winning one-goal games. “The reality is going into the playoffs, they are going to be tight games and we’ve been good in (close games).”

The win was the eighth in a row at home for the Rock, tying the team record for most home wins in a season. The mark was set in 2002 when the Rock went 8-0 on home floor.

After surrendering the game’s first goal, the Rock roared back with three goals in 1:05 to take an early 3-1 lead less than five minutes into the quarter. The script flipped in the second half of the quarter with New England outscoring Toronto 3-1 and finishing the first frame tied 4-4.

New England built a 7-5 lead before the Rock closed the gap to a goal heading into halftime, trailing 7-6.

The Rock came out firing to begin the second half. Dan Craig, Rob Hellyer and Tom Schreiber each scored, just 42 seconds apart to leapfrog back into the lead 9-7. The visitors showed no quit and it took a Schreiber power play goal with one second left in the quarter to give the Rock an 11-10 lead heading for home.

A pair of Dans, Lintner and Craig pushed the Rock to a 13-10 edge early in the final quarter. The Black Wolves added two more, but it was too little, too late.

Prior to the game, the Rock retired Jim Veltman’s number 32. Veltman joins Bob Watson and Colin Doyle as the only player’s in team history to have their numbers raised to the rafters at Scotiabank Arena.

“For me, I didn’t know much about the box lacrosse world three years ago, but it didn’t take long for me to know that name,” said Rock forward Tom Schreiber of Jim Veltman. “To see what he has accomplished and hear not only how great of a player he was but how great of a leader he was. That shined through in the ceremony and it was special to be a part of it.”

The Rock were led in the goal scoring department by Hellyer’s hat trick. Craig, Schreiber and Lintner all scored two goals each. Singles came from Damon Edwards, Challen Rogers, Adam Jones and Johnny Powless.

The Rock will enjoy a bye week before closing out the regular season on the road in Vancouver against the Warriors on Fri., Apr. 26.

For more information on Toronto Rock tickets, please contact a Toronto Rock account executive at 416-596-3075 or visit torontorock.com.