Gary Groob
All Lacrosse All The Time – A Division of Edge of Philly Sports Network
The Toronto Rock (5-2) headed west to visit the Calgary Roughnecks (3-3) for the first and only time this season. The Rock had been blowing the doors off their opponents over their three-game winning streak. Calgary was coming off a dynamic performance beating the San Diego Seals 14-10 in their last game.
A few milestones:
- Brad Kri suited up for his 100th game with the Rock.
- New comer Josh Currier needed just one goal to hit 100 for his career.
The goalie match-up had Nick Rose in net for the Rock against Christian Del Bianco in net for Calgary.
In what could only be called a very physical game, the Toronto Rock and Calgary Roughnecks battled hard all night. It looked like Toronto might blow out yet another opponent, getting out to a 7-1 lead, but a resilient Roughnecks team battled back scoring 9 of the last 12 goals to send the game to overtime.
In Overtime Stephen Keogh became the hero scoring just 0:24 in, sending the Rock home victorious 11-10.
To The Game:
The Rock got on the board first when Corey Small beat Del Bianco with a bounce shot on the power play 0:55 seconds in, but was answered immediately by Shane Simpson off a Zach Currier feed 0:10 seconds later.
Corey Small scored his second of the night in transition on a delayed penalty, converting a Challen Rogers pass at 2:32. Stephen Keogh increased the lead with a screened shot from the outside off a Corey Small pass at 5:56. Dan Craig scored on an outside shot that beat Del Bianco over his shoulder at 13:04 to give Toronto a three goal lead.
After one quarter, Toronto 4 Calgary 1.
Second Quarter:
Toronto got on the board when Dan Dawson fired a shot off a Mitch de Snoo feed at 3:49, followed by Tom Schreiber scoring off a Corey Small feed 0:17 seconds later. Stephen Keogh scored his second of the night collecting a rebound off a Dan Craig shot at 5:19.
Tyler Pace got one back for the Roughnecks diving across the crease off a Seth Van Schepen feed at 6:34 ending the Toronto six goal run, followed by Haiden Dickson shooting shortside off a Pace pass at 7:45.
Calgary narrowed the lead in transition when Shane Simpson fed a diving Zach Currier at 13:22, followed by a buzzer beater from Jeff Cornwall off a long lead pass from Christian Del Bianco at 14:59.
At the half, Toronto 7 Calgary 5.
Third Quarter:
Toronto opened the third quarter scoring during a two man advantage. Corey Small shot high to the far side at 3:56 to give the Rock a three goal lead once again. Calgary finally got on the board when Shane Simpson fed Josh Currier, who dove across the crease, beating Nick Rose at 10:33. Corey Small scored his fourth of the night off a Dan Craig pass low to high at 10:48 to restore the Rock’s three goal lead.
After three quarters, Toronto 9 Calgary 6.
Fourth Quarter:
Dan Taylor narrowed the Rock lead to two goals with a bounce shot to the far side beating Nick Rose at 2:40. Tom Schreiber then fired a laser to regain the Rock’s three goal lead at 4:34 off a Dan Craig feed. Jesse King got the Roughnecks within two goals once again at 12:17. With the goalie on the bench, Tyler Pace scored off a Jesse King pass at 13:39, to bring the game within a goal, setting up a nail-biter of a finish.
Again, with Roughnecks goalie Del Bianco on the bench, Challen Rogers tried to pass from his own end but was blocked. Tyler Pace picked up the ball, passed to Jesse King who beat Rose to the top corner sending the game to overtime.
After regulation, Toronto 10 Calgary 10.
Overtime:
Toronto won the faceoff, called a timeout and drew up a play. On the ensuing play, Dan Craig fired a shot, the rebound went to Stephen Keogh, who finished it off just 0:24 seconds into the quarter.
Final score, Toronto 11 Calgary 10.
The Three Stars:
- First Star – Stephen Keogh
- Second Star – Corey Small
- Third Star – TD Ierlan
Game Stats:
- Shots on goal favored Calgary 45-43.
- Faceoffs were dominated by Toronto 20-4.
- Toronto won the loose ball battle 74-68.
- The Rock were 2 for 5 on the power play, while Calgary went 0 for 3.
Top Scorers:
Toronto Rock:
- Dan Craig 1g, 6a
- Corey Small 4g, 2a
- Stephen Keogh 3g, 0a
Calgary Roughnecks:
- Tyler Pace 2g, 4a
- Jesse King 2g, 2a
- Shane Simpson 1g, 2a
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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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