Gary Groob
All Lacrosse All The Time – A Division of Edge of Philly Sports Network
The Toronto Rock (6-2) ran their winning streak to five games, scoring a barrage of goals in a 22-14 win over the New York Riptide (1-6) on Saturday night at FirstOntario Centre in Hamilton, ON, in front of 9,304 fans.
“It was just a complete effort,” said Rock forward Corey Small. “We played a great offensive game, and it was nice to see the ball get spread around and a bunch of guys have big nights. We can’t always expect our defence to hold teams to six, so it was nice to see the offence contributing like that.”
Big games from Tom Schreiber (3g,11a), Corey Small (5g,4a), Dan Dawson (2g,5a), Stephen Keogh (4g,3a), and Latrell Harris (3g,1a) led the way for the Rock’s explosive offense. Jeff Teat (4g,6a), Connor Kearnan (3g,2a), Brett Hickey (2g,4a), and Tyler Digby (3g,1a) led the way for the Riptide.
To The Game:
Toronto opened the scoring when Corey Small was able to blast a low shot past Steven Orleman to the shortside, off a Tom Schreiber pass at 2:56. The assist was the 400th of Tom Schreiber’s career. New York came back on the power play when Jeff Teat converted a Connor Kearnan pass from the outside at 4:07.
Stephen Keogh regained the lead for Toronto with a high to low shot off a Corey Small feed at5:07, followed by Dan Craig diving across the crease putting it over Orleman for the score at 6:11. Corey Small scored his second of the game converting a Latrell Harris pass in transition at 8:46.
Larson Sundown got the Riptide back in the game converting a Damon Edwards pass at 10:24, followed by Tyler Digby bouncing a shot over the shoulder of Nick Rose at 13:46.
After one quarter, Toronto 4 New York 3.
Second Quarter:
Jeff Teat tied the game for New York on a breakaway at just 0:33 seconds, but the Rock would then take over.
A laser by Dan Craig beat Orleman to the 5-hole at 1:03, then Corey Small scored his third of the night on the power play to the far corner off a Tom Schreiber pass at 2:15. Stephen Keogh scored his second of the night off a Corey Small pass, followed by Small himself scoring his fourth of the game off a Jordan McKenna feed at 6:00.
At this point New York changed Steven Orleman with Gowah Abrams in net.
Latrell Harris welcomed Abrams with a shot that just dribbled over the line 0:06 seconds after coming in. Upon review it was deemed a good goal.
The Riptide finished the half strong scoring twice. Connor Kearnan scored on the power play at 13:49, followed by Jeff Teat converting a Brett Hickey pass at 14:31.
At the half, Toronto 9 New York 6.
Third Quarter:
Connor Kearnan opened the scoring for New York converting a Jeff Teat pass with beautiful shot from the tip of the crease at 1:01.
Tom Schreiber scored with a laser from the outside off a Corey Small pass at 2:48, followed by Latrell Harris coming from behind the night, turning, firing, beating Abrams to the shortside at 3:08. Stephen Keogh would increase the lead on the power play finishing off a Schreiber pass at 5:55, followed by Dan Dawson scoring off a Dan Craig pass at 6:02.
Tyler Digby got one back for the Riptide, but the Rock again answered with two of their own. Stephen Keogh scored his third of the night firing a shot to the far side at 10:21.
The Riptide changed goalies once again, putting Orleman back in net.
Challen Rogers welcomed Orleman back with a power play goal, catching Orleman out of position for the rebound at 11:28.
Jeff Teat scored for New York with just under a minute left in the quarter, but Latrell Harris added one more for the Rock, going coast to coast, with just 0:20 seconds left in the quarter.
After three quarters, Toronto 16 New York 9.
Fourth Quarter:
The Riptide kept fighting, scoring twice to open the fourth quarter. Connor Kearnan opened the scoring off a Reilly O’Connor feed just 0:22 seconds into rhe quarter, followed by Kevin Brownell scoring unassisted at 1:16. Brad Kri answered back for the Rock with a great individual effort at 2:23, followed by Schreiber converting a Stephen Keogh feed 0:28 seconds later.
Tyler Digby scored his third of the game for New York at 4:17, but Dan Dawson would reply just 0:50 seconds later off a Tom Schreiber pass. Corey Small then scored his fifth of the night giving the Rock a nine goal lead with just under 7:00 to play.
Brett Hickey sandwiched a Dan Craig goal to finish the game.
Of note: Troy Holowchuk played the last 4:31 in net for Toronto.
Final score, Toronto 22 New York 14.
The Three Stars:
- 1. Tom Schreiber
- 2. Latrell Harris
- 3. Corey Small
Game Stats:
- Toronto outshot New York 60-39.
- The Rock slightly edged the Riptide on faceoffs 23-17.
- Toronto won the loose ball battle 97-88
- New York went 4 for 5 on the power play, while Toronto went 3 for 4.
Top Scorers:
New York Riptide:
- Jeff Teat 4g, 6a
- Brett Hickey 2g, 4a
- Reilly O’Connor 0g, 6a
Toronto Rock:
- Tom Schreiber 3g, 11a
- Corey Small 5g, 4a
- Dan Craig 3g, 5a
Don’t forget to check us out every Sunday night at 9pm (ET)
Gary Groob has been involved with Lacrosse for the majority of his life, whether playing, coaching, or covering the sport for the media.
An avid fan, with a real drive about helping to “grow the game”, Gary became part of podcasts about the game 10 years ago. Through the podcasts, Mr. Groob had an opportunity to write about lacrosse, and the rest as they say, is history.
Through many miles (flying and driving) Gary has made inroads with the National Lacrosse League, Major Series Lacrosse League, the Ontario Lacrosse Association, as well as the Arena Lacrosse League, covering the leagues, their teams, and players, working for, and in concert with all of them.
In the year 2020, Mr. Groob was made the media person for the Arena Lacrosse League, voted onto the board of directors of the Brampton Excelsiors Lacrosse Club, as well as being made administrator of the Lacrosse page “Global Lacrosse” with a membership of 9000 members in over 90 Countries. Gary was also made an administrator of Lacrosse History Past Present and Future in 2022.
Mr. Groob co-hosts a weekly Lacrosse show on Spanglish Sports World, and ZingoTV channel 250, as well as writes a weekly lacrosse column for La Portada Canada News (both in print, and online).
Mr. Groob also hosts a Lacrosse talk show and podcast for The Edge of Philly Sports Network, seen live Sunday nights at 9pm (ET), and archived on the Edge of Philly YouTube page, as well as Spotify.
Mr. Groob’s other sports interests include Hockey, Football, Boxing, Wrestling, and Baseball, competing competitively in Boxing and Wrestling for many years.
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