NLL: Rock Looks to Slow Hawks' High-Octane 'O'
from press release
TORONTO – The Toronto Rock (2-0) host the
Rochester Knighthawks (2-0) at the Air Canada Centre on Saturday,
Jan. 23 at 7 p.m. Eastern.
“We have a defensive system that likes to put pressure on
teams, and that’s what we’ll be showing the Knighthawks
on Saturday,” said Terry Sanderson, Toronto Rock general
manager and assistant defensive coach. “We are sticking to
it, and working with it.”
Strong defense will be needed to stop Rochester’s offensive
weapons in John Grant Jr., Shawn Williams and Gary Gait who combine
for 12 of Rochester’s 23 goals so far this season.
“It is going to take a little more time,” said
Rochester head coach Paul Gait in regards to his team’s
offensive chemistry. “Our offense is only half buying into
the system.”
The Rock fall short with a 9-18 all-time regular season record
against the Knighthawks, but have a 9-4 winning record against
their New York state rivals at home in Toronto.
“We are looking forward to the game,” adds Sanderson.
“We aren’t quite sure what we have in Toronto yet. To
try and measure up with arguably one of the best offensive teams it
will be good to see where we stand.”
The last time Toronto began a season 2-0 was in 2005, but lost the
third game to the Knighthawks. To start the 2000 season Toronto ran
over their first three opponents only to be stopped by
Rochester.
Heading into Week 3 Toronto is undefeated thanks to sweeping a
home-and-home series with the Boston Blazers. Yesterday the league
announced that Rock Captain Colin Doyle was named NLL Overall and
Offensive Player of the Week, with credit for Toronto’s 8-7
overtime nail-biter going to Doyle along with rookies Garrett
Billings and Stephan Leblanc. In a game that saw four ejected
Toronto players after only four minutes of play, one of these three
was involved in every one of the Rock’s eight goals including
the OT winner, drained by Billings and assisted by both Doyle and
Leblanc.
Saturday’s battle of the undefeated will be shown live at
7:00 p.m. from the Air Canada Centre on TSN2. No matter the
outcome, the two teams will meet again next Saturday, January 30 at
Blue Cross Arena in Rochester, NY for the second of three meetings
this season.
