Matthew Caruk

NLL: Rogers the Rock hero; Thunderbirds go down in OT

May 8, 2022

“There’s nothing more exciting than one game, win or go home. It’s basically a game seven,” said Toronto Rock head coach Matt Sawyer following Toronto’s 14-13 overtime win over the Halifax Thunderbirds. Under normal circumstances, that’s a true statement. On Friday night, it was an understatement. Halifax fought back from a 9-3 halftime deficit to tie the Rock at 13 midway through the fourth quarter. Outside of the final media…

NLL: Knighthawks let lead slip away in final game of the season

May 3, 2022

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Following the Rochester Knighthawks’ season ending 13-10 loss to the playoff bound Halifax Thunderbirds, Paul Dawson called it a “microcosm of our season.” The description was not only unexpected (and awesome!) but perfect. Dawson said, “We’re there, we’re winning, we’re tied and then we just let it fall away from us.” Head coach Mike Hasen echoed the statement, saying, “We just stalled… They kept coming, they kept pushing.” Ryan Smith…

NLL: Hamilton feels like home for playoff-bound Rock

April 20, 2022

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It took 20 weeks, but after the Toronto Rock’s 15-7 victory in front of over 10,000 fans, Hamilton is feeling like home. Their victory came over the other team that called FirstOntario Centre home earlier this season, the Halifax Thunderbirds. Halifax was forced to play two home games in Hamilton due to Nova Scotia’s Covid restrictions (and won both). With the win, Toronto clinches a home playoff date, a fact…

NLL: Dawson sets all-time career assists mark as Rock defeat Knighthawks

April 11, 2022

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The Rochester Knighthawks led the Toronto Rock for 56:50 on Saturday night, but not when the final horn sounded. The Rock captured their third straight win 11-9 in Rochester, extending the Hawks losing streak to seven games. Once again, Toronto played without Rob Hellyer. Only five of their 11 goals were scored by traditional forwards, including an empty netter by Dan Craig, his second of the game. Tom Schreiber also…

NLL: Rock aiming to be at their best at end of season

April 9, 2022

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It was a whirlwind weekend for the Toronto Rock. They travelled to Georgia without Dan Dawson and won 13-9. A night later, they returned home with Rob Hellyer joining the injured list, but still claimed a 14-7 victory over San Diego. Over the course of 24 hours the team faced flight issues, flu and the normal bumps and bruises that come with playing professional lacrosse. But they battled it all…

NLL: Rock win helps Toronto clinch playoff spot

April 5, 2022

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On the weekend of Wrestlemania, the Toronto Rock and San Diego Seals contested a feisty affair in Hamilton. Just like the 2022 version of the WWE’s marquee event, the Rock (from Toronto, not Dwayne Johnson) claimed back-to-back wins, winning 14-7, clinching a playoff berth in the process. For the second night in a row, Toronto played without Dan Dawson. However, joining him on the sidelines was his right side tag-team…

NLL: Dawson’s record setting night dampened by Swarm

March 30, 2022

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Another night, another milestone for Dan Dawson. When all was said and done Dawson had set two NLL records. Those, paired with career benchmarks for Nick Rose and Rob Hellyer, were not enough to lift the Toronto Rock past the Georgia Swarm, however, as they lost for just the second time at home this season, 10-6. Prior to the game, Dawson was honoured by the Rock for playing in his…

NLL: Rock get the honour of taking down the Bandits

February 15, 2022

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A pair of players from New York led the Toronto Rock in their 12-10 victory over the Buffalo Bandits. The win extends Toronto’s win streak to three games, while handing Buffalo its first loss of the season. They opened with six straight wins. Tom Schreiber scored four goals in the first half, part of a six point night. The East Meadow, New York native now has 23 this season, two…

NLL: Rock beat rival Rochester at FirstOntario Centre

February 1, 2022

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For the first time since their week two matchup against Halifax, the Toronto Rock dressed both Tom Schreiber and Rob Hellyer in the same game. The results were immediate. The pair combined for 13 points in a 12-8 win over the Rochester Knighthawks. Jumping out to an early 3-0 lead, the Rock were up 4-1 after the first quarter. It’s the first time this season Toronto has led after the…

NLL: Dawson has milestone night but Rock fall to Thunderbirds in OT

January 18, 2022

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NLL fans lucky enough to catch a ball out of play go home with a unique souvenir. With no fans in attendance, it was a number of players who went home with souvenirs from Saturday night’s game at FirstOntario Centre. It’s a shame, really, that the building was empty because the Halifax Thunderbirds and Toronto Rock put on a show, a 14-13 Halifax overtime victory. Rock head coach Matt Sawyer…

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