The Toronto Rock face-off against the Washington Stealth in a pre-season game at the Langley Event’s Centre, which have many lacrosse fans wondering “could this be the return of pro lacrosse”??
Both teams faced each other in the 2010 and 2011 League Championships, so this is sort of a test as to which team is set for the upcoming season.
The Rock won in 2011 and the Stealth won in 2010.The rink seats 5,200 with not a bad seat in the house.
Earlier in the week League Commissioner George Daniel stated “this game could be the one that springboards a return of the NLL to the lower mainland.
One concern that several have is where would the games be played and would the team maintain the previous name of the Ravens?
While the NLL has several BC players in the league, they would still have their rights belonging to the present club, unless they were traded or dealt else where.
While this game is pre-season game, it’s interesting to note that the WLA season starts in May, 2012, with the LEC the home for the Thunder.
While many might have questioned the size of the crowd, prior to game time, several fans were lined up to wait for the doors to open.
It was great to see two local officials Todd Lebranch and Bobby Taylor working the game Prior to the game I had a chance to talk to Mike Emory, who is in charge of outside sales for the Stealth and he told me “they normally play in front of just over 5,000 fans and this is a good look at two clubs that could be in the final at years end.
The Stealth enter the 2012 NLL season not only as the defending two-time Western Division Champion which include the first NLL title in the organization’s history in 2010.
Lewis Ratcliff has been key reason for the Stealth’s recent success and today the Stealth has announced the All-Pro forward has signed a two-year contract, pending league approval.
Ratcliff was acquired by the Stealth prior to the 2010 season, and has made his mark on the Stealth since being signed. In two seasons in Washington, no player in the NLL has recorded more regular season points than Ratcliff, who has 189 points (87g, 102a) in 32 games.
The game is being broadcast on both team radio stations as well as in-house.
No question this game would be intense as, within the first three minutes, we saw a fight and both teams trade minor’s.
At the 10 minute mark of the first period, everyone was treated to a TV timeout, more-so to promote the game and the NLL.
The Ravens folded in 2004 and the only other Canadian Cities that sport a franchise are Toronto, Edmonton and Calgary.
This game started quick with the Stealth taking the lead going up by a 3-0 margin, then allowing the Rock not only back in, but giving them a 4-3 lead after one quarter of play.
The first half was quick, with both teams exchanging goals and after the first half Toronto was up by a narrow margin of 8-7.
Shots at the half had Toronto up 29 – 28 over the Stealth.
With Toronto up by a score of 10-8, Toronto scored what looked like a goal. The Stealth threw a Challenge flag on the play. Under review the goal was disallowed and seeing the Stealth get a minor penalty.
After the third quarter shots were 49-34 for Toronto.
With 12:08 left in the 4th quarter, Toronto scored, but the on-floor officials disallowed it, due to a crease violation. Under review, the call was upheld.
Fitting that the game would go to a sudden victory OT period and in the end it was the Washington Stealth scoring a short 31 second in the extra frame to take the win.
This game was a WIN – WIN FOR EVERYONE.
Thanks to the LEC for hosting this.
Thanks to the NLL for the photo.
