Toronto Rock Falls in Overtime, Sets Stage for Playoff Rematch with Saskatchewan Rush
The Toronto Rock concluded their National Lacrosse League regular season with a dramatic 10-9 overtime loss to the Saskatchewan Rush on Saturday at SaskTel Centre. Despite the defeat, the Rock secured a playoff berth with an 11-7 record, but they missed out on a home-floor advantage for the opening round. Instead, they will travel back to Saskatoon next Saturday to face the Rush again in a single-game playoff matchup.
Overtime Heartbreak and Late Collapse
Brock Haley scored the game-winning goal just 1:34 into overtime, capping a thrilling comeback by the Rush. Saskatchewan forced the extra period by scoring twice in the final two minutes of regulation after pulling goaltender Frank Scigliano for an extra attacker. The Rock had led for much of the contest, with contributions from multiple players, including Chris Boushy, who netted two goals, and Brad Kri, who scored his first of the season while excelling defensively.
However, the late-game breakdown left the team concerned. Goaltender Nick Rose commented, "We got a taste of playoff lacrosse tonight to end the regular season, and we’re just going to have to find a way to be a lot better than we were tonight." The Rush were led by Haley, Zach Manns, Robert Church, and Jake Naso, each scoring two goals in the victory.
Other NLL Action from the Final Weekend
In other games, the Oshawa FireWolves stunned the Buffalo Bandits with a 12-8 win, highlighted by a strong defensive effort and emotional Tucker Out Lymphoma night, raising funds for lymphoma research. The Halifax Thunderbirds secured a playoff spot with a 12-6 win over the Ottawa Black Bears, while the Vancouver Warriors clinched first place by defeating the Philadelphia Wings 17-10. The Calgary Roughnecks ended their season with a 9-8 win over the Colorado Mammoth, and the San Diego Seals qualified for the postseason with a split series against the Las Vegas Desert Dogs. The Georgia Swarm earned a home playoff game after sweeping the Rochester Knighthawks.
Playoff Quarter-Final Matchups Announced
The NLL playoff schedule has been set, with games kicking off next weekend. Key matchups include:
- No. 8 Halifax Thunderbirds at No. 1 Vancouver Warriors, Friday, Apr. 24, 10 p.m. EDT
- No. 7 San Diego Seals at No. 2 Colorado Mammoth, Saturday, Apr. 25, 9 p.m. EDT
- No. 6 Toronto Rock at No. 3 Saskatchewan Rush, Saturday, Apr. 25, 9 p.m. EDT
- No. 5 Buffalo Bandits at No. 4 Georgia Swarm, Saturday, Apr. 25, 7:30 p.m. EDT
As the Rock prepare for their rematch, they aim to learn from their overtime loss and deliver a stronger performance in the playoffs. The NLL postseason promises intense competition, with teams vying for the championship title.
