Gary Groob
All Lacrosse All The Time – A Division of Edge of Philly Sports Network
The Toronto Rock (4-2) challenged the Philadelphia Wings (2-3) for the first time this season Saturday afternoon at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, PA.
The Rock were red hot, having won two straight games by a combined 17-goal margin over Halifax and New York. With Tom Schreiber, Zach Manns, Dan Craig, Challen Rogers, as well as Stephen Keogh, and Corey Small, the Rock could throw wave after wave at the Wings.
The Wings, coming off a loss to Panther City last week, countered with Matt Rambo, Ben McIntosh, Joe Resetarits, and Blaze Riorden. Philadelphia made some moves during the week, cutting veteran Cory Vitarelli and adding Taite Cattoni to their lineup. Cattoni was added to gain speed to the lefty side of the floor.
Another marquee matchup had the Rock’s TD lerlan (69%) going up against the Wings’ Trevor Baptiste (65%) in a battle of elite faceoff men.
The goaltending match-up for the matinee event had Nick Rose in net for Toronto against Zach Higgins in net for the Wings.
While the Wings got on the board first, the Rock’s high octane offense got on track late in the first, scoring eight unanswered goals in the half to change the complexion of the game. A 13-goal run overall, that ran from the first to the fourth quarter, had the Rock in control all afternoon. Tom Schreiber (5g,2a), and Dan Craig (3g,3a) led Toronto. Joe Resetarits (2g,2a) was one of the few bright spots for the Wings in the 14-5 drubbing.
To The Game:
The first quarter was a back and forth affair, with neither team able to solve the other’s goaltender for the majority of the quarter.
Blaze Riorden finally got the Wings on the board diving across the crease off a Matt Rambo feed at 11:15, but Mitch de Snoo scored in transition, converting a Challen Rogers pass at 13:48 to tie the game.
After one quarter, Toronto 1 Philadelphia 1.
Second Quarter:
The Rock took the lead when Brad Kri dove to push the ball up the floor to TD Ierlan in transition. Ierlan beat Higgins to the short side at 2:40. Tom Schreiber increased the lead jumping across the crease, putting it top shelf off a Latrell Harris pass at 5:24, followed by Dan Craig converting a Schreiber feed 0:21 seconds later for the three goal cushion.
Corey Small increased the lead converting a Tom Schreiber pass with a long outside shot beating Higgins low at 10:50, followed by Tom Schreiber also scoring low from the outside at 12:23 off a Dan Craig pass. Challen Rogers scored the next two goals. His first was a transition goal off a Mitch de Snoo long lead pass at 13:59, followed by Rogers splitting the defense scoring with just 0:11 seconds left in the half.
At the half, Toronto 8 Philadelphia 1.
Of note: the Wings had never been held to just one goal in the first half in their history.
Third Quarter:
Toronto opened the second half scoring shorthanded. Dan Craig was able to convert a Zach Manns feed from the top of the crease at 2:35. Craig then added a power play goal with a give and go from Corey Small feed at 4:29.
Zach Higgins was replaced in the Wings goal by Angus Goodleaf.
Tom Schreiber scored the next two goals for the Rock. The first was in transition off a Corey Small pass at 6:49, followed by a laser from the outside on the power play off a Dan Craig feed at 9:28.
After three quarters, Toronto 12 Philadelphia 1.
Fourth Quarter:
Tom Schreiber scored his fifth of the game with a side arm shot that beat Goodleaf between the legs off a Sheldon Burns feed just 0:48 seconds into the quarter.
Philadelphia finally got on the board when Matt Rambo scored off a Joe Resetarits feed at 2:05.
A small tilt between Mitch de Snoo and Blaze Riorden finally got the fans revved up at the Wells Fargo Center.
Philadelphia got on the board again when a bit of a flooky goal beat Nick Rose. Rose originally made the save, but the backspin rolled backwards over the line for the goal. Joe Resetarits was credited at 4:57.
Adam Jay went coast to coast in transition to add to the Rock lead beating Goodleaf at 6:04, but Resetarits came back again for the Wings, converting a Taite Cattoni pass 0:19 seconds later. Cattoni scored his first Wings goal burying it below the glove of Nick Rose off a Joe Resetarits pass at 11:25.
With 3:23 left in the game, the Rock replaced Nick Rose with Troy Holowchuk, who looked quite comfortable in relief.
Final score, Toronto 14 Philadelphia 5.
The five goals scored tied a Wings record set last year vs. Buffalo, for the fewest goals scored in a game.
The Three Stars:
- First Star – Nick Rose
- Second Star – Tom Schreiber
- Third Star – Dan Craig
Game Stats:
- Toronto outshot Philadelphia 57-49.
- Trevor Baptiste won the faceoff battle with TD Ierlan 14-9.
- The loose ball battle went to the Rock 75-65.
- Toronto went 2 for 4 on the power play, also scoring a shorthanded goal.
- The Wings went 0 for 4 on the power play.
Top Scorers:
Toronto Rock:
- Tom Schreiber 5g, 2a
- Dan Craig 3g, 3a
- Challen Rogers 2g, 1a
Philadelphia Wings:
- Joe Resetarits 2g, 2a
- Matt Rambo 1g, 2a
- Taite Cattoni 1g, 1a
Of note: Dan Craig scored his 200th career NLL point in this game
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 in 2010. Through the podcasts, Mr. Groob was given 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).
Gary 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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