NLL roundup: Rock fall in overtime to next weekend’s playoff opponent

Toronto finishes regular season at 11-7 and makes a return visit to Saskatoon next Saturday

Published Apr 19, 2026  •  4 minute read

Toronto Rock Photo by Toronto rock

The Toronto Rock did not secure a home-floor playoff game to open the National Lacrosse League playoffs. But it got a close look at the opponent it will face in the single-game first round next week.

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Brock Haley scored 1:34 into overtime to give the Saskatchewan Rush a 10-9 win at SaskTel Centre on Saturday. The winner came after the Rush scored twice in the final two minutes with goaltender Frank Scigliano pulled for an extra attacker to force the extra period.

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This result, coupled with others on a crazy final weekend of the NLL regular season, results in the Rock (11-7) making a return visit to Saskatoon next Saturday to re-engage with the Rush (12-6).

The Rock held the lead for much of the contest. Chris Boushy scored twice with one-goal contributions from CJ Kirst, Josh Dawick, Sam English, Challen Rogers, Nick Rowlett and Isiah Moran-Weeks along with Brad Kri, who netted his first goal of the season and was stellar defensively.

Still, the late collapse was a concern.

“We got a taste of playoff lacrosse tonight to end the regular season and we’re just going to have to find a way to be a lot better than we were tonight,” goaltender Nick Rose said.

Haley’s goal was his second of the game. Zach Manns, Robert Church and Jake Naso also had two. Austin Shanks and Levi Anderson had one each.

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FIREWOLVES FINISH WITH MAJOR UPSET

The Oshawa FireWolves struggled during the first season in their new home but go into the off-season with the memory of a 12-8 win over the Buffalo Bandits at Tribute Communities Centre on Saturday.

The FireWolves stunned the Bandits in the first half, taking a 7-0 lead. The Bandits replied with the final four goals in the half but Oshawa responded well in the second half with timely goals and strong defense including a seven-minute penalty kill in which they conceded just one goal.

“We came to compete, and we executed a full 60 minutes against the three-time champions,” Oshawa coach Glenn Clark said. “I told them to show up and play physically and ready, and they did that. I’m pleased with their performance tonight.”

Dawson Theede led the FireWolves (6-12) with three goals on the night. Joe Resetarits had three as well for the Bandits (11-7).

The night was also very emotional for the FireWolves and their fans as it was the first Tucker Out Lymphoma night in Oshawa. The fundraising effort, started by the Bandits after the passing of Tucker Williams in 2014, raises awareness and funds for lymphoma research.

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“I’m seeing a lot of signs with Tucker’s name on it,” forward Dyson Williams, Tucker’s brother said. “I’m excited to be playing a game for him.”
“Having Tucker Out Lymphoma night in the city we grew up in is special.”

Williams quietly saluted his brother after scoring a fourth-quarter goal.

ELSEWHERE IN THE NLL

The Halifax Thunderbirds scored six times in the second quarter to separate themselves from the Ottawa Black Bears en-route to a 12-6 win in what was effectively a play-in game for both teams.

Graeme Hossack, Jason Knox and Wake:Riat BowHunter scored twice each to help Halifax (8-10) clinch a spot in the post-season. The Black Bears (8-10), losers of their final five games, got a hat trick from Jeff Teat.

The Vancouver Warriors clinched first place in the NLL standings with a 17-10 win over the Philadelphia Wings. Keegan Bal dominated the affair with six goals and five assists for the Warriors (13-5). Lukas Nielsen and Sam LeClair had five points each for the Wings (5-13).

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The Wings, who finished last in the NLL, were playing their final game under current ownership and will spend the off-season awaiting to learn if they will be sold and relocated, or if they will be disbanded.

The Calgary Roughnecks ended their season with a 9-8 win over the Colorado Mammoth. Brayden Mayea had four goals for Calgary (6-12). Jack Hannah had a hat trick for Colorado (12-6).

The San Diego Seals qualified for the post-season with a 14-12 win over the Las Vegas Desert Dogs on Friday. The teams played again Saturday with the Desert Dogs winning 18-16. Zach Currier had five goals in the San Diego win. Chris Cloutier had five goals for Las Vegas in the rematch. Both teams finished 8-10.

The Georgia Swarm (12-6) earned a home game with a home-and-home sweep of the Rochester Knighthawks (6-12). Nolan Byrne scored three goals in a 13-6 win on Saturday. A likely finalist for rookie of the year, Byrne added three more goals in a 17-12 win on Sunday.

Read More

1. 

   NLL roundup: Toronto Rock rebound for win over San Diego Seals

2. 

   NLL roundup: Philadelphia Wings beat Toronto Rock

QUARTER-FINAL MATCHUPS (Times EDT)

No. 8 Halifax Thunderbirds at No. 1 Vancouver Warriors, Friday, Apr. 24, 10 p.m.
No. 7 San Diego Seals at No. 2 Colorado Mammoth, Saturday, Apr. 25, 9 p.m.
No. 6 Toronto Rock at No. 3 Saskatchewan Rush, Saturday, Apr 25, 9 p.m.
No. 5 Buffalo Bandits at No. 4 Georgia Swarm, Saturday, Apr. 25, 7:30 p.m.

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