“The boys saved Jamie some money here tonight,” smiled Toronto Rock head coach Matt Sawyer on Saturday night after his team won their home opener 19-8 over the Vancouver Warriors at FirstOntario Centre. Team owner and general manager Jamie Dawick had guaranteed the fans a win, meaning if the Rock had lost, every fan in attendance would receive a ticket to a future game free of charge. But it only…
NLL: Thunderbirds explode for 18 goals in home opener
The Halifax Thunderbirds broke a franchise record during their home opener on Friday night. They beat the Philadelphia Wings 18-8, which is the most goals the team has scored since moving to Halifax from Rochester in 2019. “Eighteen is a lot of goals, and I think it’s just sharing that ball and no one really wanting to get their goal, it was getting a goal for the team, getting the…
NLL: Rush Looking to Rebound This Season
The Saskatchewan Rush open their new season tonight when they play host to the defending champions, the Colorado Mammoth. The Rush are hoping this will be the start of a redemption story, after what can charitably be called a disappointing 2021-2022 season. Last season, the Rush finished in fourth place in the West Division, with an 8-10 record. Since the team moved to Saskatoon in 2016 they had won the…
NLL: Three Thompson brothers reunited in Georgia
All season long, November 21st will be a day that will be remembered league wide. News came out about a trade between the Georgia Swarm and Panther City Lacrosse Club. You’re saying: trades happen all the time, Dan, why would this be any different? Here’s why. The Swarm traded a conditional fifth round pick in the 2023 NLL Entry Draft to PCLC in exchange for Jeremy Thompson. If you’re new…
NLL: Riptide’s strong bond will improve results in 2022-23
Callum Crawford said it best, at the end of last season: “If we got [the New York Riptide] to the playoffs, there’s not a single team in this league that [would want] to see this young group. We can be this really dynamic team that you don’t want to face at any given time.” The Riptide finished in seventh place in the NLL’s East Division in 2022 with a 6-12…
NLL: Rock hope drastic off-season moves will bring championship to Hamilton
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…
Press Release: Toronto Rock relocating home games for 2023-24 season
Several Venues Under Consideration For Temporary Home Game Relocation During FirstOntario Centre Renovation Project Oakville, ON – On Friday, the Toronto Rock were officially informed by the Hamilton Urban Precinct Entertainment Group (HUPEG) of the estimated 20-month timeline for the renovation project that will transform Hamilton’s FirstOntario Centre into a world-class sports and entertainment venue. The expanded budget and renovation timeline will mean the Toronto Rock will relocate their home…
ALL West: Black Fish, Grizzlies victorious during opening weekend
While one game was a high-scoring affair featuring a combined 31 goals with the Black Fish winning 16-15, the day’s second game saw the Grizzlies score the 11-7 victory over the Sea Spray on Sunday afternoon at Langley Events Centre as the Arena Lacrosse League West Division kicked off its second season. Black Fish 16 Shooting Eagles 15 For much of Sunday’s game between the Black Fish and Shooting Eagles,…
NLL: Bandits gearing up for another run at league title
The Buffalo Bandits started the 2021-22 season perfectly. Literally. They were 6-0 to start the year before suffering their first loss February 12th in Toronto. In that 6-1 stretch, Buffalo beat teams like Calgary, Rochester, Toronto and New York, which was an overtime thriller at Nassau Coliseum. Their offense was red hot, defense was stifling, oh, and they had one of best goalies in the world, in Matt Vinc. Following…
Ranking the NLL’s Uniforms
I am a fan of sports jerseys. I have an entire closet of them from most of the major sports and several of the minor ones as well. So when I started following the National Lacrosse League almost 20 years ago, I started paying attention to what the teams were wearing. There have been some fantastic uniforms in the NLL over the years. And some awful ones (does anyone still…