In a game that is sure to be remembered, the Edmonton Rush improved to 8-0 as they defeated the Toronto Rock (4-5) 11-10.
Edmonton’s undefeated start ties the NLL mark originally set by the 1993 Buffalo Bandits. The Bandits finished the regular season at a perfect 8-0 and won twice more in the playoffs to win the title and end the season 10-0.
Matthews, Conway, and rookie Riley Loewen each had two goals and goaltender Aaron Bold stopped 37 shots to pace the Rush to the victory before 8,015 at Rexall Place.
The game started with a bang as Rush captain Chris Corbeil and the Rock’s Scott Johnston dropped the gloves just 20 seconds into the game with a spirited fight.
This game never had a lead larger than two goals by either team. In the first quarter it was a shooting gallery as the teams combined for seven goals and Toronto took a 4-3 lead in the final seconds.
The second and third quarter the defense showed up on both sides as the teams combined to score five goals and take a tie game into the final quarter. The Rock took a one goal lead just 1:28 into the final quarter, but a three-goal run by the Rush put them ahead to stay. Colin Doyle’s last second shot was stopped by Aaron Bold to give the Rush the win.
Prior to the shot the Rock had an apparent 2-1 break but a timeout was called from the bench with 4.8 seconds remaining.
Kasey Biernes (3 G, 1A), Billings (2 G, 5 A), Leblanc (2 G, 2 A) led the scoring for the Rock.
Aaron Bold and Nick Rose were both stellar in net.
The Rock now travel to face the Calgary Roughnecks, and the Rush return to action next Saturday as they host the Vancouver Stealth.
