Matthew Caruk

NLL: Career Night from Zach Higgins Helps Ottawa Black Bears Maul Toronto Rock in Debut

December 2, 2024

A new National Lacrosse League season kicked off with a return to Ottawa on Friday night. The Blackbears were fuelled by career performances from trade acquisitions Zach Higgins, Jacob Dunbar and 7,000 fans at Canadian Tire Centre as they defeated the injury-depleted Toronto Rock 11-5. When free agency opened in early September, Rich Lisk began reconstructing the New York Riptide roster that would relocate to Ottawa. Within two days he…

NLL: Uncharacteristic loss sees Rock down 1-0 in Semifinal series vs Bandits

May 4, 2024

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Uncharacteristic. It’s perhaps the only word to describe the Toronto Rock’s 12-4 loss to the Buffalo Bandits on Friday night. Prior to game one of the semifinal series, Toronto (who sported the best goal differential in the regular season) had never been shutout in a half in the playoffs (it was 5-0 at halftime). The Rock matched a franchise low in goals scored (4: Jan 12 in Minnesota, and Feb…

Semifinal Preview: Toronto Rock vs Buffalo Bandits

May 3, 2024

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On Friday night in Hamilton, the Toronto Rock and Buffalo Bandits will write the latest chapter in one of the most storied rivalries in the history of the NLL. In 77 previous meetings, Toronto holds a slight edge 39-38. However, the playoffs have been a different story. Buffalo leads the all time playoff matchup 7-3. Recently, the Bandits have been even more dominant winning eight of the last nine meetings,…

NLL: Dobbie and Origlieri the catalysts as Seals get by PCLC in OT

April 30, 2024

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In Denver, Colorado, on September 1, 2007, Dane Dobbie was selected fourth overall in the NLL entry draft by the Calgary Roughnecks. In Orangeville, Chris Origlieri was just aging out of his first summer of introductory lacrosse. Saturday night, as teammates in San Diego, they helped the Seals advance past Panther City Lacrosse Club 9-8 to their third semi-final in four playoff seasons. In their first ever playoff game, Panther…

NLL: Rock one step closer to NLL championship berth after quarterfinal win over Knighthawks

April 29, 2024

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It’s been 13 seasons since the last Toronto Rock championship (2011), and the 2024 roster intends to end the drought. Step one was accomplished with a 9-6 quarterfinal victory over the Rochester Knighthawks at FirstOntario Centre in Hamilton on Saturday night. The blueprint was the same as it’s been all season – a full team effort, led by defence and goaltending. “Defence and goaltending win championships, and that’s our plan,”…

NLL: Riptide fall to Albany in final game at Nassau Coliseum

April 23, 2024

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What started as a night full of hope – for a New York Riptide playoff berth – quickly turned into a poignant farewell to lacrosse on Long Island. The Albany FireWolves scored early and often Saturday night, clinching a playoff spot of their own whilst sinking the Riptide 16-10 in what was likely the Riptide’s final game at Nassau Coliseum. New York will relocate to Ottawa for the 2025 season…

NLL: Rock secure home floor through playoffs after win over Rochester

April 18, 2024

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With early playoff exits to the Buffalo Bandits in back-to-back seasons, the goal for the Toronto Rock in 2024 is simple: home floor in the post-season. On Saturday night, thanks to a 13-6 win over the Rochester Knighthawks, that goal is now accomplished. Sparked by a 10-1 first half, the Rock now match their franchise-best wins total with 14, doing so in front of a Hamilton record crowd of 11,256….

NLL: Rock take battle of top-ranked teams over FireWolves

April 11, 2024

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For much of this season, the Toronto Rock and Albany FireWolves have been near each other atop the NLL standings. In their final meeting before the playoffs it was the top-seeded Rock who spoiled the retro night party, throwing-back 10 goals from eight different scorers – even goaltender Nick Rose – in a 10-7 victory. Albany, who wore vintage blue-and-white Attack-themed jerseys after honouring former captain Brett Manney pregame, had…

NLL: Rock overcome early deficit to beat Thunderbirds in OT

March 27, 2024

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If the Toronto Rock had a superhero name, and not just the jerseys they wore Saturday night, it would be “The Comeback Kids.” Dealing with another 4-0 deficit to the Halifax Thunderbirds in Week 17, the Rock battled back to score twice in the final minute, and win 9-8 in overtime to clinch a home playoff game. Mark Matthews tried to end the matchup on the first possession of OT…

NLL: Lintner’s hat trick leads Toronto over Colorado

March 15, 2024

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Teddy bears weren’t the only things flying at FirstOntario Centre in Hamilton on on Saturday. With a 12-7 victory over the Colorado Mammoth, the Toronto Rock punted their franchise record for best start to a season in the air, remaining atop the NLL standings at 11-2. Tied 7-7 after three periods, Zack Kearney picked up a rebound off Corey Small’s shot to break the deadlock 1:37 into the final frame….

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