What to watch for vs. Halifax Thunderbirds

Game 1 of the Best-of-3 NLL Finals

HAMILTON, ON – The Toronto Rock and Halifax Thunderbirds will open the Best-of-3 NLL Finals Series tonight at TD Coliseum in Hamilton.  It is the first All-Canadian league championship matchup since the Rock faced Edmonton in 2015.

Fans can watch the game vs. Halifax at 7:30pm ET on TSN.  Alternatively, tune in on TSN’s digital platform TSN+ via TSN.ca and the TSN App as well as ESPN+.  To stream the game on TSN+ or ESPN+, a paid subscription is required.

Here’s what to watch for in Friday’s matchup.

• Following morning shoot around the Rock’s roster stayed status quo but the Thunderbirds did make one significant roster move. Randy Staats was placed on Injured Reserve while Stephen Keogh was moved to the Active Roster.
• While this is the Thunderbirds first trip to the NLL Finals since relocating to Halifax, the Rock and the Rochester Knighthawks 1.0 met in the 1999, 2000, and 2003 NLL Finals with the Rock winning each time.
• In NLL Finals games played at home, the Rock are 4-1 all-time.
• In Rock playoff history, only 3 players with 10 or more goals have averaged 2 or more goals per game. Dan Stroup (22G/8GP 2.75GPG), Tom Schreiber (24G/12GP 2GPG) and Chris Boushy (14G/7GP 2GPG).  Boushy leads the Rock in playoff during this postseason run with 11 goals and 14 points through 4 games.
• Challen Rogers currently sits in 10^th spot in Rock all-time playoff scoring with 41 points. During these NLL Finals, he may pass names like Beirnes (43), Sanderson (45), Billings (47) and Veltman (50).  If he gets hot, he could move into the top 5.  Tom Schreiber currently owns that spot with 54 points.
• On Wednesday, CJ Kirst was named the NLL’s Rookie of the Year! Previous Rock winners of the award are Tom Schreiber, Stephan Leblanc, Ryan Benesch, Blaine Manning, and Colin Doyle.  Owen Hiltz and Sam English joined CJ on the NLL All-Rookie Team.  While Brad Kri did not win the NLL Defensive Player of the Year Award, he was the runner-up and earned Capelli Sport 1^st Team All-NLL honours.
• INJURY REPORT: TD Ierlan is on the PUP List. Zack Kearney, Kobe Handsor, and Robert Hudson are on the Season Ending Injured Reserve List. Justin Martin (Lower) and Phil Mazzuca (Upper) are on the Injured Reserve List.
• The 2026 NLL Finals will continue with Game 2 on Sunday at 6pm ET in Halifax. Game 3, if necessary, will be Sat., May 23 at 7:30pm at TD Coliseum in Hamilton.

For more information on Toronto Rock tickets, please contact a Toronto Rock account executive by phone at 905-426-4744, by email at tickets@torontorock.com or visit torontorock.com.