Chris Boushy had a five-goal night as the Toronto Rock downed the Saskatchewan Rush 16-13 in Saskatoon on Saturday night to move on to the second round of the NLL playoffs.
The Rock will now hold home-floor advantage as they take on the San Diego Seals in the best-of-three NLL semifinals, with a trip to the championship on the line.
Saskatchewan was outplayed for three of the four quarters. The Rush did hold a 9-8 lead early in the third quarter, but a three-goal run — including a buzzer-beater by Mark Matthews with 3.6 seconds on the clock — took the wind completely out of Saskatchewan’s sails.
The loss comes as a bitter pill to swallow for Saskatchewan. After going 10-1 to start the season, they limped into the playoffs, going 2-5 down the stretch.
One of the big “X-factors” heading into the game was which Nick Rose would show up in goal for the Rock, and Rose was outstanding on Saturday night. Facing a barrage of 62 shots, he turned aside 49 in the win.
Along with a five-goal night from Boushy, CJ Kirst and Josh Dawick each had hat tricks for the Rock. For Saskatchewan, Austin Shanks had a three-goal night and seven points, while Robert Church played with a mean streak, recording three goals and three assists.
First Quarter
Surprisingly, the game started at a fast pace. Toronto got on the board first at the 2:23 mark with an outside shot.
Saskatchewan tied it at 3:17, with Shanks scoring off a restart.
Kirst put the Rock back in the lead 2-1 off a dunk attempt at the 6:41 mark.
Boushy then scored off a twister at 7:17. The goal was challenged, but due to inconclusive evidence, it was ruled a good goal.
Church got Saskatchewan back on the board at the 7:43 mark with a bouncer that beat Rose.
However, the Rock finished the quarter with a three-goal run. Boushy worked the two-man game and scored at 9:52 to make it 4-2. He then put one under the right arm of Frank Scigliano with 3:44 left on the clock for his hat-trick goal.
Only 18 seconds later, Dawick found the back of the net to make it 6-2 in favour of the Rock after the first quarter.
Second Quarter
Saskatchewan picked up the pace in the second quarter to get back into the game. Levi Anderson put one just under the crossbar at the 7:31 mark to get the Rush within three.
Church then found Ryan Keenan off the bench at the 8:02 mark to make it 6-4.
Toronto got one back on the power play when a pass deflected off Kirst’s stick at the 9:18 mark and went into the net.
The Rush’s transition game came to life to tie the game. Connor McClelland scored off a bouncer in transition at 9:31.
Ryan Barnable then went coast-to-coast to get Saskatchewan within one, 7-6, at the 10:23 mark.
On the power play, Church scored off an outside shot with 2:43 left on the clock.
However, Latrell Harris blocked a shot, went in alone, and scored with 38 seconds remaining to give the Rock an 8-7 lead at halftime.
Third Quarter
The Rush got off to a quick start in the second half to take their first lead of the game. Right off the faceoff, Brock Haley picked up the loose ball and scored 17 seconds into the third quarter to tie it at eight.
Church went five-hole on Rose at the 3:23 mark as Saskatchewan took a 9-8 lead.
Dawick and Boushy continued to cause problems for the Rush. Matthews sent a flip pass to Dawick on the power play at 5:11 to tie the game.
Another turning point came at 7:54, when Anderson appeared to score for Saskatchewan. The goal went to review, but it was ruled he was in the crease, and the goal was waved off.
Boushy got free from his defender at the 8:23 mark off a feed from Owen Hiltz to make it 10-9 for Toronto.
The dagger came with 3.6 seconds left in the third quarter, as Matthews went short side on Scigliano to make it 11-9 heading into the fourth.
Fourth Quarter
The Rush continued to struggle in the fourth quarter as the Rock never let up. Hugh Kelleher picked up his own rebound and scored 2:00 into the quarter to extend Toronto’s lead.
Zach Manns went short side on Rose 14 seconds later to keep Saskatchewan within striking distance at 12-10.
A three-goal run by the Rock put the game away. Elijah Gash started the run in transition at 3:41.
Boushy scored his fifth of the game at 7:48 from distance as the shot clock expired, making it 14-10. Kirst rounded out the run at 8:37 with a high shot on Scigliano to make it a five-goal game.
Keenan got Saskatchewan back on the board at 10:19 with a shot around a defender while the goaltender was pulled for an extra attacker.
Still with the extra attacker, Brad Kri put one into the empty net with 3:08 left to make it 16-11.
Saskatchewan never gave up. Shanks scored on an outside shot with 1:06 left and added another with 43 seconds remaining, but it was too much to overcome as the Rock secured the 16-13 win.
Rock head coach Matt Sawyer and Chris Boushy spoke after the game:
Top Scorers
Toronto Rock
- Chris Boushy — 5g, 1a
- Josh Dawick — 3g, 3a
- Mark Matthews — 1g, 4a
Saskatchewan Rush
- Austin Shanks — 3g, 4a
- Robert Church — 3g, 3a
- Zach Manns — 1g, 3a
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