TORONTO -- Defence has been a Toronto Rock trademark but it was the offence that carried them to a 16-11 victory over the Calgary Roughnecks in the National
Lacrosse League season opener for both teams Friday night.
Wholesale NFL Jerseys . "It was the
way we wanted to start the season," said forward Stephan Leblanc, who led the
way with five goals. "We were fired up and the goals were dropping for us."
Toronto finished first overall last season so general manager Terry Sanderson
saw no need for drastic change. The offence clicked for five goals on its first
nine shots and the defence and goalie Nick Rose limited 2013 scoring champion
Shawn Evans to one goal. Rob Hellyer, at 21 the youngest player in a
veteran-laden attack, looked good on the right side as he assumed the bulk of
the playing time that had previously been committed to the now-retired Blaine
Manning. Hellyer popped three goals in his enhanced role. "With only six
offensive guys out of 16 runners youre going to be out there all the time," said
Hellyer, alluding to the leagues reduction to 16 from 18 runners. "Ive had a
good three years with this team and Ive learned a lot. I think now itd be nice
to step up and make a bigger contribution." Colin Doyle and Josh Sanderson have
been amazing for a long time. They each scored twice. "We stuck to a game plan
and it certainly worked," said Doyle. "I dont think we saw their best. Thats for
certain. But, as far as starts go, that was a pretty good start for this team."
Jesse Gamble, Kasey Beirnes, Garrett Billings and Ethan OConnor added one each
for the Rock, who held quarter leads of 7-3, 9-4 and 12-6. "It was special,"
said new head coach John Lovell. "Our guys worked really hard for this."
Billings had nine assists in front of an Air Canada Centre crowd of 11,120. "Its
a credit to the chemistry we have up front," Billings said of his 10-point
night. "It was a great game for Blaine Manning, who as offensive coach was
behind the bench for the first time. "Its great to put up numbers like that. Ive
been with this core group for four years now so Ive got good chemistry playing
with Steph going back to our junior days and ever since Josh Sanderson put on a
Rock jersey for the second time weve had great chemistry, too. It helps knowing
where all the guys are going to be on the floor. "Its fun. Id have liked to have
scored a couple more goals. But what can you do?" Jeff Shattler scored four
goals, Dane Dobbie had two and Evans, Daryl Veltman, Geoff Snider, Curtis
Dickson and Matthew Dinsdale one each for the Roughnecks, who were outshot
61-51. Toronto led by six entering the fourth quarter but Calgary scored four of
the next five goals to close within 13-10. Biernes broke the run with his goal
at 11:41 and rookie OConnor scored his first pro goal into an empty net to seal
the victory. Gamble supplied repeated transition thrusts all night. "It was a
great way to start the season, to know that were competitive and that we have
the right guys," he said. "We can compete in this league. That wasnt a bad
(Calgary) team. Theyve got a lot of skill and they are going to compete for the
Champions Cup so this win gives us a lot of confidence." The Rocks seven-goal
first quarter proved to be the difference in the end. "We got a big lead but
they didnt go away," said Rose. "We knew that about them. Theyre going to be
tough to beat all year. But we earned the win tonight. Any time your O puts up
seven for you in one quarter, its a nice feeling. That takes the stress off
making the next save. The O was awesome." Calgary coach Curt Malawsky gave
Shattler and Poulin an A for effort. But his teams goals-against numbers were
poor last year and they were again Friday night. The first quarter put his
players in too deep a hole. "Yeah, no question," he said of a deficit his club
couldnt overcome. "Youre down 7-3 to a team like that in their building. Its
tough to battle back. They went on three three-goal runs and a five-goal run and
we only answered back with a four-goal run. We didnt do a very good job of
controlling momentum." NOTES: On power plays, Toronto was 4 for 8 and Calgary 3
for 3 . . . Veteran Rock defencemen Pat Merrill and Chris White sat out with
what the team described as lower-body injuries . . . Unavailable to Calgary due
to injuries were T Scott Ranger, T Travis Cornwall and D Pete McFetridge . . .
Making their NLL debuts were D Craig England and T Ethan OConnor of the Rock and
T Tor Reinholdt, T Karsen Leung and D Garrett McIntosh of the Roughnecks . . .
Both teams play their second games of 2014 next Friday, with Toronto at Buffalo
and Colorado at Calgary.
Wholesale NFL
Jerseys China . -- Washington Capitals forward Brooks Laich is expected to
miss the rest of the regular season after having an operation on a groin muscle.
Wholesale Jerseys .com) - Maria
Sharapova rallied for a three- set win over Ana Ivanovic on Saturday to capture
the season-opening Brisbane International tennis tournament.
http://www.cheapnfljerseys.tv/ . This
time, it was Eric Chavezs turn. Stuck in a rut since coming off the disabled
list, Chavez hit the first pitch he saw in the ninth inning for a run-scoring
single, sending the Diamondbacks to another walk-off victory, 4-3 over the San
Francisco Giants on Saturday night.TSNs Jack Armstrong offers his thoughts on
the Christmas Day extravaganza, including the Nets struggles, the improvement of
Serge Ibaka, the feisty Mario Chalmers, the performance of Chandler Parsons and
the lane presence of DeAndre Jordan. 1. BROOKLYN NETS: I know Brook Lopez is a
good player but come on now. The Chicago Bulls didnt have Derrick Rose and Luol
Deng wasnt suited up and they get their tails kicked at home. What I see is a
team thats disjointed and just not on the same page in terms of what the plan
is. Injuries and the lack of practice time with a healthy group have been
factors no doubt but when I see inconsistent effort and lack of fire/passion,
then I wonder. I think we all thought this team would be so much better. Now
what? Tough decision for GM Billy King. Theyve gone all in with this group and
it will be a difficult fix. 2. SERGE IBAKA (Thunder): Each time I watch him, Im
more and more impressed with what I see. Hes continuing to improve his game and
has become a very nice third piece to compliment Kevin Durant and Russell
Westbrook. Plays the game very hard. Relentless in his rebounding effort,
finishes in the lane and has become so much more confident in his face-up game
and jump shot. He was so raw when he first entered the league but not anymore.
Its a true testament to his work ethic. 3. MARIO CHALMERS (Heat): Doesnt get a
lot of attention on this team yet hes a feisty perimeter defender and gets the
ball to the right places at the right time. Is a guy that can hurt you with the
3-point shot and loves the big moment. Perfect complimentary fit for this club.
You dont need to run a lot of plays for him and the style of play is good for
his game.
Wholesale Cheap Jerseys. Has
a really good motor and compete level and playing with such great players has
taught him to slow down and concentrate on making the smart play which he does
with better consistency. 4. CHANDLER PARSONS (Rockets): Never thought hed be
this good as a pro when he came out of the University of Florida. Not a big,
strong guy and when you look at him, hes far from a physically imposing figure
yet at an explosive/demanding position, hes more than held his own. His
performance yesterday against the Spurs was one of pure efficiency and
productivity with 21 points, six rebounds and six assists. He makes you guard
him from deep (5- 3 Pointers) and has a neat change of pace with his ball
skills. Plays the game at a controlled speed yet with superb energy and
awareness. A keeper. 5. DE ANDRE JORDAN (Clippers): He gives his team the lane
presence that is so important to win consistently in the NBA. Gets 13 rebounds
and six blocks against the Warriors and takes only terrific high percentage
shots in the lane, usually on offensive rebounds or off of Chris Paul
penetration for dunks. As we get into the playoffs in April, Ill be curious to
see if Doc Rivers continues to play him major minutes, particularly late in
games with his shaky free-throw shooting. Rivers has made it a point of emphasis
to play him and boost his stock and compliment him and its paid dividends in an
improved player. With coaches leaning towards playing small and adding skill to
the court in bigger games, this will be an interesting dynamic to watch
develop.
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