Mark Matthews Notches 1,100th Career Point
Denver, CO – The Toronto Rock (5-4) were on the wrong end of a 16-8 decision at the hands of the red-hot Colorado Mammoth (8-2) on Saturday night at Ball Arena in Denver, CO. The win was the seventh straight for Colorado as they sit in second spot in the NLL league standings.
“We weren’t good in all three areas,” said Rock Head Coach Matt Sawyer. “It’s not the way you want to start the game and we were chasing it from there on out.”
This game slipped away from the Rock early surrendering the first goal just seven seconds into the first quarter and found themselves down 5-0 just nine minutes into the contest. The Rock’s Phil Mazzuca gave the Rock life with his first goal of the season, but the Rock trailed 5-1 after one quarter.
After Challen Rogers scored to make it 5-2, the Mammoth went on a three-goal run to jump ahead 8-2. Mark Matthews scored a pair of goals, while Colorado slipped in one more, as the Mammoth led 9-4 at the half.
The Rock came out hot in the second half and scored the first two goals of the third quarter to close the gap to three at 9-6 and it felt like we were going to be in for a great finish to the game. However, while the Rock were on the power play, Owen Hiltz gave a push from behind on a Colorado player who was injured on the play resulting in a five-minute major for boarding and a game misconduct. Colorado scored six straight goals to lead 15-6 through 45 minutes.
The fourth quarter didn’t provide much in the way of headline worthy lacrosse as the damage had been done and Colorado had secured the victory doubling up the Rock 16-8. Rogers scored both Rock goals to finish the night with a hat trick.
In the third quarter, Matthews drew an assist on Hiltz’s goal. It was the Mailman’s fourth point of the game and the 1,100th of his NLL career and in the process became just the 14th player in league history to achieve the milestone.
“We just didn’t have it tonight in all ends of the floor,” said Matthews. “We have to start on time. We have to get out a little hotter and put some (goals) on the board for our D.”
Troy Holowchuk started the game but was replaced by Steven Orleman and then in the second half, Holowchuk re-entered the game and finished things out. Overall, the two goaltenders essentially split the game with Holowchuk allowing 9 goals in 30:34 on 32 shots on goal while Orleman gave up 7 goals in 29:26 and faced 29 shots.
The Rock will host their half of the double-dip on Friday, February 20 on Great White North Night at TD Coliseum in Hamilton at 7:30pm. It’s also Latrell Harris bobblehead night and the first 5,000 fans in attendance will receive one of the unique collectibles.
For more information on Toronto Rock tickets, please contact a Toronto Rock account executive by phone at 905-426-4744, by email at tickets@torontorock.com or visit torontorock.com
