Rock tops Seals, reaches NLL Cup final for first time since 2015

Rock goaltender Nick Rose: “We’re ready for the moment."

Published May 09, 2026  •  Last updated 5 minutes ago  •  3 minute read

Nicholas Rowlett (left) and Brad Kri of the Toronto Rock react during their team's game against the San Diego Seals at TD Coliseum in Hamilton. Photo by Ryan McCullough /Toronto Rock

The retool of the Toronto Rock is going much better than expected.

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Missing the National Lacrosse League playoffs last year, the Rock were expected to bounce back after adding several young stars to its lineup. But after defeating the San Diego Seals 14-8 in the deciding game of their semi-final series, the Rock are off to the NLL Cup final.

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This will be the team’s first championship series since 2015 when the Rock were defeated by the Edmonton Rush. Toronto has not won a championship since 2011.

For the longest-serving member of the Rock, the trip back to the final after years of playoff misses was special.

“You go to a finals early in your career, you think you’re going to the finals all the time,” goaltender Nick Rose said. “We’re ready for the moment. And we’re excited to go to the NLL final.”

Then there are the much talked-about rookies, those who didn’t go through the tough losses. The finals trip is equally special for them.

CJ Kirst of the Toronto Rock attempts to score during a National Lacrosse League game against the San Diego Seals at TD Coliseum in Hamilton. Photo by Ryan McCullough /Toronto Rock

“I was learning a lot about the culture of this organization and all the people that have come through,” forward CJ Kirst said. “From the top down, all the people who have stuck around, we’re doing this for everyone who has worn the Toronto Rock logo.”

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The only piece of business left to be determined is Toronto’s opponent. The Georgia Swarm and Halifax Thunderbirds will decide their semifinal on Sunday. The final series will start on Friday.

The Rock were far from the better team in this series, but in both games at TD Coliseum, the Rock found their game when they needed it most. It started out much better than in Game 2, an 11-6 loss last Sunday in San Diego. The Seals were able to contain Toronto’s transition in that game but the Rock flipped that script early in Game 3 with transition goals by Brad Kri, Dan Craig and Sam English, and Hugh Kelleher. The Seals responded with a late-period goal by Zach Currier.

The second quarter looked more like Game 2, with the Seals dominating on both ends of the floor, including in goal where Cameron Dunkerley, playing in place of injured first-stringer Chris Oligieri, was equal to every Toronto shot. Currier added his second and tallies by Wes Berg, Connor Robinson, and Ari Steenhuis sent the Seals to the halftime break with a 5-4 lead. The Seals had outshot the Rock 33-18 at that point.

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After another transition marker by Kelleher answered with a power-play marker from Currier, the Rock offence finally got to work. Kirst, the likely NLL rookie-of-the-year, started the charge and added a second later. Chris Boushy also scored twice, the second one with 3.2 seconds left in the period, to give the Rock a 9-6 lead after three.

After a Seals error, English extended the lead with a breakaway goal. A few minutes later, Mark Matthews scored on a bounce shot to give Toronto a five-goal lead.

Trevor Baptiste scored for San Diego but Owen Hiltz answered, converting a perfect pass from Kirst. Hiltz would add another just seconds later. Tre Leclaire and Josh Jackson traded goals late. Rose put the cap on the win when a penalty shot from Wes Berg hit the crossbar, after which he raised his arms, getting the crowd on its feet.

SWARM FORCES GAME THREE

The Swarm rebounded from its 12-7 home loss to the Thunderbirds last weekend with an authoritative 21-10 win in Game 2 at Scotiabank Centre in Halifax.

The Swarm were led by Nolan Byrne and Lyle Thompson, who had four goals each. Shayne Jackson and Kaleb Benedict added hat tricks each as the Swarm built a big early lead and were never threatened.

Jason Knox scored four times for the Thunderbirds. Cody Jamieson and Mike Robinson had two goals each for Halifax.

Due to arena issues in Duluth, Ga., the deciding game will be played Sunday in Halifax, with the Swarm as the designated home team.

Read More

1. 

   Toronto Rock opens NLL semis with Game 1 win over Seals

2. 

   NLL roundup: Rock stun Rush to advance to semifinal round

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