The lack of transition game killed the Stealth once again Saturday in Toronto. After a back and forth first half, the turning point in the game came tied 9-9 late in the third quarter.
Garrison coughed up the ball looking rather slow breaking out of his own end, leading to a goal from Leblanc naked on the crease. Following that, Beers loses the ball in transition allowing a goal; one of many long Rock possessions on the night.
Looking tired on both sides of the ball, Vancouver would settle for bad shot looks and individuality would reign supreme for fourth quarter possessions. As they fell behind by three on a Billings goal, you could clearly see that no help was there against arguably the best player in the league.
Man to man defense with a player like him is clearly a miscommunication or a poor call defensively. Showing a little emotion at the least, a rookie from the away side challenged another and we had a fight! A rather awkward one at that, but they tried.
Billings scored his fifth, and you could see that was all she wrote for the Stealth. Down four goals with under 10 minutes to play isn’t the end of the world in lacrosse. Momentum changes on a dime, and you can always come back and score quickly.
Vancouver would proceed to take an undisciplined penalty and play shorthanded. Only a matter of time before Garrett Billings with a hot stick scored. Feeble shot attempts and being muscled around on defense, the Stealth really folded up the tent and went home after the Rock’s 10th goal and you could see it.
Fast forward: down 14-9, all of the sudden poor Tyler Richards was pulled in favor of back up Matt Roik. Richards had played fairly well but his team plain quit on him. With eight minutes and some change left, this game was over. They would get three back, allow three more and fall 17-12.
To be honest, Toronto looked like they came to play but weren’t overly impressive. The Rock’s stars came out to shine offensively, Billings regained his scoring touch, and the Stealth folded like cheap suits.
They have had a recent history of playing hard, smart , disciplined and gaining the lead early on in games; only to show some serious fatigue mentally and physically later on. Getting down on themselves and showing poor body language, they were no match for the Rock on this night.
The Rock looked bigger, faster and stronger after the bye week and take much needed confidence into Buffalo Saturday. For the Vancouver Stealth , the road trip continues as they travel to Philadelphia to play the Wings who are 2-3.
