Matthew Caruk

The legacy of #51: Shawn Williams inducted, Dyson Williams drafted – and Tucker always remembered

September 22, 2023

Traditionally, a 1st overall draft pick walks across the stage and dons a jersey with the number ‘1’, or perhaps the draft year on the back. But as Dyson Williams pulled on his new red and white Albany FireWolves jersey, he was surprised to find the number ‘51’ stitched on the back. “51’s our family number after my dad wearing it, my brother and I wearing it,” he explained. “A…

Special weekend as NLL honours past, celebrates future

September 19, 2023

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In just over 24 hours, the National Lacrosse League celebrated the greatest from the past, and welcomed in the future stars of the league. On Friday night at the Burlington Convention Centre eight players – Colin Doyle, Kevin Finneran, John Grant Jr, Pat McCready, Casey Powell, Regy Thorpe, Steve Toll and Shawn Williams – and for the first time ever two officials – Roy Condon and Bill Fox – became…

Prezzy Bites: Three teams eliminated on Day 5

September 1, 2023

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You know that part of moving day when all your furniture is gone and you find all the junk, dust and dirt you dropped behind the couch over the years? That was the same type of mess in the standings and playoff scenarios on Day 5 of the Presidents Cup in Oakville. Throughout the day there were possibilities for a three-way tie for first, another three-way logjam for third through…

Prezzy Bites: Playoff picture becomes clearer on Day 4

August 31, 2023

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Happy Hump Day! It’s hard to believe the Presidents Cup in Oakville, Ontario is over halfway complete. Day 4 pushed the tournament past the midway point and the playoff picture became much clearer. An extra ref joined the party, as did some youngsters, and the JVI commentary team sat back and watched it unfold with a frosty gift from a viewer. Here’s your Day 4 Prezzy Bites: Three’s a Crowd…

Prezzy Bites: Tempers getting shorter on Day 3

August 30, 2023

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Day 3 at the Presidents Cup confirmed we’re at the point where bodies are tired and tempers are short. Even in the air conditioned Toronto Rock Athletic Centre in Oakville, Ontario the temperature was turned up on Tuesday. If it wasn’t officially a Prezzy with a woodie breakaway goal on Monday, it sure is now after four games on Day 3. Here’s your Prezzy Bites: Hosts Stay Hot Following a…

Prezzy Bites: Day 2 from Oakville

August 29, 2023

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The President’s Cup in Oakville hit day two with five games on the schedule. Three teams played twice leaving one team undefeated, one team without a win, and the hosts with their first victory of the tournament. Here’s your InLacrosseWeTrust Prezzy Bites for Day No. 2. Double Dipping Three of the seven teams played twice on Monday – Edmonton Miners, Tuscarora Tomahawks, Six Nations Rivermen. We’ll get to the…

OJLL: Four teams left in the hunt for a Minto Cup berth

July 22, 2023

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There was just one ‘upset’ in the first round of the OJLL playoffs – the fifth seeded Toronto Beaches knocking off the fourth seeded Oakville Buzz in four games. Even then, can you call the advancement of a team that made the Minto Cup last season an ‘upset’? The other three teams, all higher seeds, advanced via sweep. And so sets up the best-of-seven series between the Burlington Blaze and…

NLL: Rock beat Thunderbirds in tight quarterfinal game… again

May 9, 2023

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It’s becoming an annual tradition: the Toronto Rock and Halifax Thunderbirds in the first round of the playoffs. As with many traditions, this observance (called the ‘NLL Quarterfinals’) includes fierce faceoff battles, superior goaltending, a Halifax comeback to force a tight game. And, in the end, a Toronto Rock victory, 15-11. Last year’s hero was Challen Rogers scoring in transition in overtime. Unlike last year when he played defence due…

NLL: Rock put Bandits on notice with 18-7 win

April 5, 2023

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Another week, another chance for the Toronto Rock to move into first place in the Eastern Conference standings. This time, against historic rivals the Buffalo Bandits, the Rock were not going to let the opportunity slip away. Opening the game on a 7-0 run, Toronto scored early and often putting the league on notice with an 18-7 win. “I don’t think we really care what statement it makes to anyone…

NLL: Rock Outlast Firewolves 11-9

March 29, 2023

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You’re excused if you looked at the standings and thought the Toronto Rock would beat the Albany Firewolves by more than the eventual 11-9. With the win, the Rock move to 11-4 and officially clinch an Eastern Conference playoff spot. With the loss, the Albany Firewolves drop to 2-11 and out of postseason contention. Dan Craig, who led the Rock with three goals and five points, said, “Whenever we punch…

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