Matthew Caruk

NLL: Mammoth pick up where they left off after 2022 championship win; defeat Calgary on banner raising night

January 11, 2023

The Colorado Mammoth won the 2022 NLL Championship with superior defense, goaltending, physical play and a never-say-die attitude. It’s somehow fitting that on the night they raised the Championship banner to the rafters of Ball Arena, the Mammoth needed all of those traits to come from behind to beat the Calgary Roughnecks 9-8. Trailing 5-2 at halftime, off the heels of Jesse King’s second of the night, the defending champs…

NLL: Bandits take early-season victory over Rock on Teddy Bear night

December 21, 2022

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An NLL Championship is the annual goal for the Toronto Rock. Last season, the Buffalo Bandits denied them the opportunity, winning both playoffs matchups by one goal. On Saturday night, it was the reigning Eastern Conference Champions gaining the upper hand in the historic rivalry once again with an 11-8 victory. Buffalo jumped out to an early 3-0 lead with Dhane Smith and Tehoka Nanticoke scoring before the first media…

NLL: Desert Dogs home debut truly a Vegas spectacle

December 21, 2022

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The first-ever home game in Desert Dogs history had everything you’d expect from a team playing in Las Vegas. That is, except the part where the house wins, as they lost for the second time this season to Panther City, 9-3. Just over 7,000 fans were energetic through the 13-minute pregame ceremony, including an appearance by team owners Joe Tsai, Steve Nash and Janet and Wayne Gretzky, who were presented…

NLL: Rock hope drastic off-season moves will bring championship to Hamilton

November 22, 2022

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The Toronto Rock’s annual goal is simple – win the NLL Championship. After a thrilling 14-13 overtime win, the shorthanded Rock were swept in the Eastern Finals by perennial rivals, the Buffalo Bandits – both in one goal games. It’s very rare that the Rock make drastic moves in the offseason, even after a loss. But that’s just what General Manager Jamie Dawick did this offseason. Backup netminder Riley Hutchcraft…

OJLL: Jr. A playoffs provide plenty of storylines

August 4, 2022

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EDITOR’S NOTE: With a delay between writing and publishing, the Whitby Warriors defeated the Toronto Beaches for the OJLL Iroquois Trophy, winning the first two games of the best-of-three series and capturing the trophy on home floor. Both teams will now take a break and prepare for the Minto Cup later in August. —- On the eve of the Iroquois Trophy Finals between the Whitby Warriors and Toronto Beaches Tuesday…

OJLL: Mimico leads playoff bound teams into first postseason since 2019

July 13, 2022

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The Ontario Junior Lacrosse League (OJLL) playoffs begin on Wednesday. Ontario’s first full Junior A season since 2019 featured four players with one hundred points or more, and a chance for two separate three-way ties in the standings. The final three seeds were decided by the fourth league tie breaker. Here’s how the first round of the playoffs will matchup, and what to expect. (1) Mimico Mountaineers (16-4) vs (8)…

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

May 8, 2022

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“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…

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