Manning's Hot Streak Continues in Rock Win
from press release
TORONTO – The Toronto Rock remain
undefeated at home with a 16-7 win over the Edmonton Rush at the
Air Canada Centre tonight. Before the game Rock owner Jamie Dawick
along with NLL Commissioner George Daniel honoured Rock Captain
Colin Doyle for reaching the 1,000 regular season career point
milestone.
Blaine Manning was named game MVP for the second game in a row and
led the Rock with five goals and five assists. Bob Watson recorded
the win in Toronto’s net stopping 27 of 34 shots. The Rock
advance to 6-1 recording their best season start in franchise
history.
Matt Disher and Brandon Atherton split time in Edmonton’s net
making 35 saves on 51 shots. Scott Stewart led the Rush with four
points.
Edmonton’s Brodie Merrill opened the game’s scoring but
Kasey Beirnes tied it up three minutes in. Blaine Manning sunk
back-to-back goals past Matt Disher to give the Rock the lead.
Rookie of the Week, Stephan Leblanc was the next to net two for
Toronto’s fourth and fifth of the night. Edmonton decided to
change goalies in favour of Brandon Atherton to end the quarter
5-1.
Gavin Prout scored to start the second, followed by Toronto’s
Garrett Billings. Prout scored again on Bob Watson followed by
teammate Scott Stewart. Defence would control the rest of the
second quarter until Leblanc brought Toronto’s tally to seven
with one minute remaining in the half.
The second half started like the previous two quarters with a Rush
goal, this time from Andy Secore. Five minutes into the third, Rob
Marshall flew down the turf on a breakaway to get his first goal of
the season. Manning struck again with back-to-back’s followed
by Leblanc. Edmonton switched goalies again, putting Disher back in
between the pipes. Manning struck again, his fifth of the night.
Rock rookie Brendon Doran scooped a loose ball as he came flying
out of the penalty box to score. Stewart netted the next for
Edmonton followed by Secore.
The fourth was dominated by Toronto, with a goal from Beirnes and a
pair from Colin Doyle. Watson shut out Edmonton in the final
quarter and the game ended 16-7 in favour of the Rock.
The Rock hit the road tomorrow to play the Calgary Roughnecks, the
2009 NLL Champions, at Pengrowth Saddledome on Sunday. Fans can
watch the Valentine’s Day match up live at 6:30 p.m. ET on
TSN2.
