When the dust had settled on a 17-9 April 5 victory over the Vancouver Stealth, the Toronto Rock were met the with the reality that with a 6-9 record and three games remaining, the season of leading scorer Garrett Billings had been ended by a torn ACL. Despite the absence of their offensive leader, the Rock were able to rally against adversity closing out the season on a four-game winning streak to finish second in the East Division with a 9-9 record.
Toronto’s offense produced 219 goals for, the highest total in the East Division and third best in the league. The Rock struggled defensively at times throughout the season, allowing 213 goals against. Toronto finished the season with the smallest goal differential out of any NLL team with just six tallies separating goals for and against.
Billings’ 101 points (32 G, 69 A) in 15 appearances was enough to finish first offensively for Toronto despite missing the final three games of the campaign. Stephan Leblanc finished the regular season as the Rock’s leading active scorer with 88 points (45 G, 43 A).
While the loss of Billings stands out as a defining moment for the 2014 Toronto Rock, it has not overshadowed the emergence of Rob Hellyer. The four-year NLL veteran finished second behind Leblanc for Toronto’s active offensive lead while posting career highs in both goals (29), assists (50), and points (79). Hellyer’s production this season triples his combined point totals during his first three years with the Rock.
After being acquired from the Philadelphia Wings in a deadline deal, Brandon Miller has been stellar when appointed with starting goaltending duties for the Rock. The netminder holds a 3-1 record since the trade, with all three wins coming in the midst of Toronto’s season-closing winning streak. Miller gave up a combined total of 21 goals in his three victories, turning aside 131 of 153 shots faced.
Another welcomed late season acquisition for the Rock comes in the form of Nick Diachenko. The rookie registered two goals and two assists in transition during three games with Toronto. Diachenko’s athletic style of play fits well among a cast of speedy Rock transitional players including Jesse Gamble, Damon Edwards, and fellow rookie Ethan O’Connor.
The Rock will host to the Buffalo Bandits in the East Division semi-final Saturday, May 3 at the Air Canada Centre. Faceoff for the match-up is set for 7 pm.
