ROCK BEAT BUFFALO BANDITS 14-10

The Toronto Rock defeated the Buffalo Bandits 14-10 at HSBC Arena, pushing them further into first place in the east division with a 5-1 record. 

On Toronto’s second goal of the night Captain Colin Doyle recorded an assist as his 1000^th regular season career point. He now joins John Tavares and Gary Gait as the third ever NLL player to accumulate over 1000 points.

Steve Dietrich recorded the win in Toronto’s net and stopped 31 of 41 shots. Blaine Manning had five goals for the Rock and rookie Garrett Billings recorded nine points from one goal and eight assists.

Ken Montour played between the pipes for Buffalo and Kyle Clancy led the Bandits with seven points (2, 5).

Stephan Leblanc scored first for the Rock, but the Bandits would take the early lead in the first off a three goal run from Mark Steenhuis, Frank Resetarits, and Billy Dee Smith.

Josh Wasson got past Ken Montour in Buffalo’s net off an assist from Colin Doyle, his 1000^th regular season career point. The celebration was short lived as Mike Accursi scored next for the Bandits. Pat McCready closed the gap for Toronto and Cam Woods tied the game at four.

The back and forth continued with Kyle Clancy scoring for Buffalo and Garrett Billings netting one for the Rock. Blaine Manning gave Toronto their first lead of the game, but Clancy tied it up again. Doyle regained the lead and Manning continued it sending the Rock into the second half up 8-6.  

Manning opened the second half like they ended the first, but another Buffalo streak from Brett Bucktooth, Roger Vyse, Steenhuis and Accursi got past Rock netminder Steve Dietrich to give Buffalo the 10-9 lead. 

Back-to-back goals from Manning to start the fourth quarter regained the Rock’s lead and Kim Squire pushed the Toronto tally to 12. Defence would take over the game until Leblanc scored with 1:50 left in the game followed by an empty-netter by rookie defender Brendon Doran. The Rock would hold onto the four point lead to end the game 14-10.

The Toronto Rock return home on Friday, February 12 to crush the Edmonton Rush. Game time is 7:30 p.m. at the Air Canada Centre. Single game tickets are available on Ticket Master at www.ticketmaster.ca.