First-Ever Win in Halifax + First-Ever 4-0 Start in Franchise History
Halifax, NS – The Toronto Rock (4-0) defeated the Halifax Thunderbirds (2-3) by a score of 11-9 on Friday night at Scotiabank Centre in Halifax, NS. The Rock showed a great deal of resiliency in this game, winning for the first time ever in Halifax and in the process the Rock have their first-ever 4-0 start to a season in franchise history.
The Rock never trailed in this game, and after the opening faceoff the only time the score was tied was at 1-1 in the first quarter. Throughout the night, the Rock either got the goal they needed or got the save they needed en route to their historic win.
Nick Rose was both steady and spectacular. He made 45 saves on the 54 shots he faced, turning in one of his best performances of the season. Other than a three-goal Halifax run in the fourth quarter, he did his thing, making timely saves and providing that calming influence on his teammates.
The outstanding offensive performances were many, but it was the complete game played by the game’s first star Challen Rogers that stands out as the best of the night.
The Rock captain continues to do whatever is needed of him and he does it well. He might not have scored the winning goal, but his insurance marker with 4:41 remaining won the game for Toronto. He finished with two goals and five points, along with five loose balls and one caused turnover. Those numbers pushed him over 200 career points, 500 career loose balls and all came in his 100th career NLL game.
“They’re cool,” said the always calm Rogers about the milestones. “But I think the biggest milestone for this group and this organization is getting a win here in Halifax. It’s something we haven’t done the three previous times we’ve been here so just to get a big win here, a place we’ve struggled, is huge for us and just carry on this undefeated season.”
After the game was tied 1-1, the Rock went on a four-goal run to lead 5-1 at the end of one quarter. Corey Small scored twice in the opening frame, and then added another in the second quarter to complete the first half hat trick. The Rock led 6-3 at halftime.
Following a skirmish near the end of the third quarter, the Rock came away with a 5-on-3 power play. Mark Matthews drilled a shot between the legs of the Halifax netminder to give the Rock a 9-6 lead through three quarters.
Halifax staged late rally after the Rock made it 10-6 in the fourth, scoring three goals in about a minute-and-a-half. But the final goal of the night from the stick of Rogers sealed the win.
The Rock were 3-for-6 on the power play, while Halifax converted on two of their four chances. Warren Hill made same key saves in a losing effort for Halifax, allowing 11 goals on 40 shots.
The Rock’s top draft pick in the 2023 NLL Draft Zack Kearney made his NLL debut. Earlier in the day defender Josh Jubenville was moved to the Injured Reserve List with an upper body injury, while Marley Angus was moved from the Practice Roster to the Active Roster. The Rock continue to play without injured stars Tom Schreiber and Chris Corbeil.
The next Rock home game will be on Saturday, January 20th at 7pm ET at FirstOntario Centre in Hamilton. It’s 80s night, dress appropriately.
For more information on Toronto Rock tickets, please contact a Toronto Rock account executive by phone at 416-596-3075, by email at tickets@torontorock.com or visit torontorock.com.
