Philly Gets Rocked by Toronto

The Toronto Rock visited the Wells Fargo Center and sent a message to the National Lacrosse League. When you think of Toronto, the defense does not readily enter your mind. The Philadelphia Wings have a high-powered offense but, were shut down by the Rock defense for the final 31:45 of the game to walk out with a 14-7 victory. Simply put, Philly gets rocked by Toronto.

Dan Craig posted a nine-point night to lead the Rock offense with Captain America, Tom Schrieber adding six points. Toronto moves to 4-3 with Philadelphia slipping to 5-4 but, loses the tie-breaker, if needed, to the Rock.

To The Action

Things started well for the home team when Ben McIntosh (3g) beat Nick Rose at 1:21 and 3:53 with Kevin Crowley (4a) getting the helper on both. Blaze Riorden and Eric Shewell (1a) also helped out. It took just thirty-one seconds for Craig (5g,4a) to cut the deficit to one at 2-1.

Philly would respond when Crowley and Kiel Matisz (2a) did the work with Matt Rambo (1g,2a) cashing in just twenty-three seconds after Craig. Things calmed down for just over three minutes when Corey Small (1g,1a) beat Nick Rose (Rock netminder) off a pretty set-up from Rambo and Blaze Riorden to push it to a 4-1 Philly edge. Brandon Slade (1g) at 12:02 followed by another from Craig just :56 later closed the gap to 4-3. McIntosh got his hat-trick with just one second on the clock to close the eventful first quarter with Philly holding a 5-3 advantage.

Second Stanza

Toronto started getting their legs and would roar back. The quick goal-fest continued with Challen Rogers getting an unassisted marker at 2:59 and Tom Schrieber knotting it up with help from Dan Dawson (2a) and Craig. The Schrieber goal came just :53 after Craig’s marker to get it to a 5-5 contest.

The onslaught had begun with Zach Manns (2g, 2a) recording his first goal in Philadelphia since his Drexel University days. Craig would team up with Schrieber for the second of the half for Captain America to give the Rock a 7-5 lead with a little over seven minutes to play. Blaze Riorden (2g, 2a) tied it up with goals at 10:22 and 13:15 to take it to the half at 7-7. Sadly, for Philadelphia fans, the suddenly struggling Wings offense was completely shut down at that point.

Ben with the buzzer beater hatty! 🧢🧢🧢#BangTheBoards #PHIvsTOR pic.twitter.com/b4VYebHcB0
— Philadelphia Wings (@NLLwings) February 6, 2022

2nd Half

The Rock became boulders and completely took this contest over. Rob Hellyer (1g, 4a) scored the only man-advantage goal of the game with Schrieber keeping the quick strikes intact with a conversion of a Craig and Reid Reinholdt (2a) pass around. That would make the end of the scoring in the third with Toronto putting the pedal to the metal with a 9-7 advantage.

To the fourth, we go. Jackie Gleason was famous for his line, “And awwwaay we go” and Toronto did just that. Brad Kri (1a) set up Craig, just :20 in, Schrieber just :49 later blew it open, 11-7. Craig hit rope again followed by Manns and Craig draining his fifth to seal the deal.

Schtuff

Shots on Goal went the way of the Rock 61-50. Philadelphia continues to allow a high number of shots which is becoming problematic. Many fans looked to the face-off battle between TD Ierlan and Trevor Baptiste. Baptiste was a bright spot, winning 19 of 24.

Loose balls were 71-69 for Toronto with Billy Hostrawser scooping 7 for the Rock. Brad Kri chipped in with 11. Ryan Wagner came away with 10 with Baptiste with his 12. Nick Rose rebounded with his 43 saves Zach Higgins turned away 37 in his 45:12 with Eric Penney finishing up and stopping 10. Rock With Convincing Win. Philly gets rocked by Toronto.

Kevin Neibauer

Kevin has followed and promoted the game of lacrosse since May 19, 1974.
The same day the Philadelphia Flyers won the Cup, the Philadelphia Wings were introduced to Neibauer and Philadelphia.

Kevin has covered many sports, including baseball, football, basketball, and.. lacrosse. A former licensed football referee and baseball umpire, Kevin brings a unique insight to his game coverage.

A published writer in JustHockey Magazine, Kevin covered the American Hockey League as well as a monthly story on a pugilist where Kevin used the pen name, The Rink Rat. Neibauer turned his attentions to lacrosse for a few years and does his part, whether podcasting or writing to grow the game. Kevin branched out to his roots and currently provides insight for all Philadelphia teams for Edge of Philly as well as his full-time duties with LaxPhilly.