NLL.com - The Official Home of the National Lacrosse League

TORONTO WINS OT THRILLER OVER BOSTON

Watson, Defense help lift Rock past Blazers 8-7 in Overtime Win

01/15/2010

Rookie Billings helps Toronto outlast Boston in home-opening thriller at Air Canada Centre



By Megan Robinson for NLL.com

It was a slow start out of the gate for the Toronto Rock, who defeated the Boston Blazers 8-7 with an overtime goal in the home opener Friday at the Air Canada Centre. Tempers flared and egos clashed as both teams fought to make their mark two games into the 2010 season, in front of a crowd of 11,520 fans.

Boston forward Daryl Veltman opened the game scoring at 2:04 into the first quarter. Moments later, Toronto's assistant captain Blaine Manning fired back, which triggered a fight between Boston forward and notorious scrapper, Paul Dawson, and Toronto Captain Colin Doyle. After both players were banished to the penalty box, a total of eight players squared off before the whistle for a four-on-four brawl.

Blazers Captain Dan Dawson, who dropped his gloves with Rock forward Pat McCready, took the bout personally.

"I think I let my emotions get the better of me," said the 6'5" captain. "I thought the whistle was blown in so four guys got kicked out and there was a lot of heart from both sides."

Boston forwards Daryl Veltman, Brenden Thenhaus, Nick Cotter and Dawson and Toronto defensemen Jeff Gilbert, Sandy Chapman, McCready and rookie Creighton Reid all received misconducts and were ejected from the game.

In addition, Reid received a Gross Misconduct, which according to the 2010 NLL Rulebook makes him subject to fine or suspension from the League Office.

The goal attempt was later reviewed as no goal for Toronto.

"It was a pretty good feeling knowing that this team's got one another's back like that," said Doyle of his four Toronto teammates.

"I think the message was sent that this team is sticking together through everything this year."

Bob Watson, who made 36 saves, played a solid game in net for the Rock who took a total of 19 penalties during regulation time, which totaled 85 minutes.

"When we broke down, Bobby Watson was stellar," said Rock Head Coach Troy Cordingley after Saturdays win, who plans to head back to the drawing board during practice next week.

"We can work on some things to make it better but we're happy with where we're at right now."

The Rock outshot the Blazers 55 to 43 and went on to win with a goal from rookie forward, Garrett Billings.

"You had to have the feeling it was going to come soon with all the shots we were taking and how close we were getting" said Billings, who scored the game-winning, powerplay goal in overtime after five shots were taken on Blazers goaltender Anthony Cosmo. Billings finished with one goal and three assists for Toronto.

Rock Captain, Colin Doyle and forward Mike Hominuck had two goals for the Rock and forwards Kasey Beirnes, Josh Wasson, and Stephen Leblanc each added one goal to the win.

"It was an interesting game and I thought the team showed a lot of character," said Rock Owner Jamie Dawick of the first of eight home games this season.

"It was a hard fought win and a good (win) for us."

The Blazers fly to Philadelphia to take on the Wings Saturday in their second game of the weekend and Toronto hosts the Rochester Knighthawks next Saturday, at the Air Canada Centre.