The Rock have seven wins and are in first place, and below we take a look at their three up and down for the season thus far.
Garrett Billings
After a record setting 114 point season last year, Billings has continued the momentum into the 2013 season. Billings 66 points currently leads the Rock and puts him behind only Shawn Evans of Calgary in the NLL point race. Billings’ seven point performance in Toronto’s most recent victory over the Colorado Mammoth gives the righty sniper 338 career totals, passing Aaron Wilson for fifth spot on Rock’s all-time scoring list.
Jesse Gamble
Gamble has been a force in the transition game for the Rock during his sophomore campaign. The Cornell grad leads the Rock in loose balls with 61 on the season and has 7 goals and 3 assists this season, surpassing his totals from his rookie campaign with six games remaining. Gamble also recorded a hat-trick in the Rock’s victory over Mammoth, earning MVP honors in the game.
Nick Rose
In his first full season as the Rock’s starting goalie, Rose has answered the call between the pipes. Rose has started all ten games for the Rock this season, boasting a 10.69 goals against average. The Orangeville native leads the NLL in wins with 7 and saves with 412.
3 Down
Scott Evans
After being acquired by the Rock, Evans went on a tear out of the gate notching 8 points in two exhibition games. Evans has 16 points in 8 games thus far for Toronto. While his point production has been respectable, Evans has not lived up too the potential that was expected based on his pre-season performances.
Blaine Manning
Manning missed ten games last season, registering 9 points in the six games he appeared in. The veteran seems to still be recovering from his absence last season. Manning has 21 points in ten games this season for an average of 2.1 points per game, a significant decrease from his 4.6 points per game in 2011 and 5.1 per game in 2010.
Rob Hellyer
Hellyer has seen limited time since his rookie season which saw him register 11 points in three games. After dressing only one game last season due to injury, the young righty has appeared in only five games this season, being a healthy scratch for a majority. Hellyer will have to capitalize on presented opportunities in the future in order to become a regular contributor in the Rock’s high powered offense.
