TORONTO ROCK ADVANCE TO NLL DIVISIONAL FINAL

The Toronto Rock advance to the National Lacrosse League East Division Final game in dramatic fashion after beating the Buffalo Bandits 13-11 at the Air Canada Centre.

After falling to the Buffalo Bandits twice in the 2010 regular season, the Rock fought back from a 6-0 deficit in the second quarter to take the single-win elimination game. 

Rock rookie Stephan Leblanc was named game MVP for a team leading eight points from five goals and three assists. Bob Watson recorded the win in Toronto's net.

Mike Accursi scored six goals and assisted on three others for the Bandits.

Roger Vyse was the first to score for the Bandits, three minutes into the game. The up-tempo defence that both teams pride themselves on took over for the next eight minutes until Brett Bucktooth got past Watson to end the quarter with Buffalo up 2-0.

Bucktooth continued his streak into the second quarter followed by Mark Steenhuis and Mike Accursi. Toronto opted for a goalie change, but Accursi struck again to get past Steve Dietrich. Rookie Stephan Leblanc got Toronto onto the board to bring the game to 6-1 followed immediately off the faceoff by Blaine Manning to narrow the Bandit lead.  Accursi was next, which brought Watson back onto the turf sparking Leblanc's second goal. Colin Doyle followed suit picking the top left corner of Mike Thompson's net.

Accursi struck again for Buffalo to start the second half, but it was quickly answered by Doyle. The game continued back and forth with another from Accursi and a Rock goal from Mike Hominuck. Leblanc recorded the hat trick on the powerplay to bring the Toronto tally to seven. Steenhuis followed up with number 10 for the Bandits. Leblanc kept it within two, scoring his fourth of the game.

Doyle began the final quarter with a goal, his third of the night, but it was answered by Accursi's sixth. Manning drained the tenth for Toronto to bring it within one, and Garrett Billings followed to tie it up. Leblanc and Doyle continued the Rock roll to put Toronto up by two, their first lead of the game. The clock wound down, as the crowd got on their feet cheering on the Rock as they held onto the 13-11 win.

In the other East Division Semi-Final, the Orlando Titans defeated the Boston Blazers 12-11. The Toronto Rock will head to Orlando next weekend to battle for the East Division title. Game date and time are TBA.

Fans can continue following the Rock on the road to the Champion's Cup by checking out the Toronto Rock website at www.torontorock.com. Game times will be posted when they become available.

 

 
 

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Alan Purcell

Next step:Orlando,
Any plane trips, bus was great, want to keep cheering!!! GO ROCK GO!!!
2010-05-01 23:55:29
John Stevenson
Wow what a night, my girlfriend and I were at the game. I am a aeason ticket houlder from Woodstock and it was a very good drive home last night. I have to admit though as a fan i booed an cheered the Rock last night. I am happy that I did cheer them a whole lot more. My voice was a little raspy after and during the game.
John Stevenson and Susan Richards
2010-05-02 06:41:22
Andrew Keel
wow boys what a exciting night that was. you had us all worried for the first 3 quarters for it didnt look good. but you guys pulled it off in the fourth quarter to take the win. way to go. GO GET THEM IN ORLANDO. FOR YOU GUYS ROCK.
2010-05-02 08:58:41
dennis
i watched the game on t v with my inlaws who never saw lacrosse much where they live, it is big in wellington county where i`m from
would love to go to more games
2010-05-02 14:23:35
thane
Fabulous! Made the drive from Kingston and glad we did. Keep it up guys!
2010-05-02 15:20:35
Jamie Kennedy
One of the best games I have ever seen. The atmosphere reminded me of the 2005 championship game vs. Arizona

GO ROCK GO!!!!!! I'd yell but my voice is gone
2010-05-02 16:02:59
Jim Rutkay
I lost my voice...again!
ROCK RULE!!!
2010-05-02 21:55:29
Elissa Beckett
I took my niece and nephew to their first Rock game and what a game it was! They were both on their feet yelling, cheering and waving their towels with everyone else in the ACC. Awesome! Congrats Rock on a great and exciting game.
2010-05-03 12:43:08

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