Championship Rematch Set For Saturday

Toronto – For the last two NLL seasons, the Toronto Rock and Washington Stealth have played in the NLL’s Championship game.  The Stealth were winners in 2010 and the Rock got their hands on the Cup in 2011.  Saturday night in Toronto, the rivalry is renewed as the two teams faceoff at Air Canada Centre at 7pm.

“We have a real healthy rivalry with Washington simply because we’ve butted heads in the last two championships,” said Rock GM Terry Sanderson.  “It’s a different rivalry compared to Buffalo. There’s just a different respect factor when you play a team like Washington.”

It’s no secret the Stealth (1-6) have struggled out of the gate this season.  However, in addition to injuries, they began the season without their Head Coach.  Chris Hall made his 2012 debut behind the bench last week after missing parts of training camp and the first six games of the season while undergoing treatment for throat cancer. 

“We have to just try and make sure we fix things as quickly as possible and that players are focused,” said Hall.  “Guys have to do their homework and watch film and understand what we’re technically doing wrong and start individually making corrections so we can improve as a team.”

Rock goaltender Matt Roik was on the other side of the equation last year as a member of the Stealth and is looking forward to facing his former teammates.

“I have a lot of memories there and I enjoyed my time there,” said Roik.  “When I was there, we always wanted to play Toronto.  I think they’re going to be a championship caliber team and they’re going to want to come in and turn their season around in our building.”

Both the Rock and Stealth are battling through injuries to key members of their teams.  Hall announced earlier in the week that both forward Rhys Duch and goaltender Tyler Richards will not play this weekend.  Sanderson matched that by announcing that it was doubtful fans will see Captain Colin Doyle in the lineup who is sidelined with an upper body injury.

For tickets to Saturday’s game please call 416-596-3075 or visit www.torontorock.com.  Saturday’s game will be broadcast live on TSN2 and is also available on TSN Mobile TV.