(Photo courtesy of Ryan McCullough/Toronto Rock)
The Toronto Rock headed to the Nest in Halifax to face the Thunderbirds looking to close out the NLL finals, and capture their first title since 2011.
On Friday night, a tough first half saw the Rock down 9-5 to the much more aggressive Thunderbirds squad. Toronto however would take the game over in the second half, outscoring Halifax 8-2. The Rock overcame the first half deficit to win a very entertaining game 13-11.
The goaltending match-up had Nick Rose in net for the Rock facing Warren Hill in net for the Thunderbirds.
The Toronto Rock came out flying, using their transition game and quick ball movement to build an early lead over the Halifax Thunderbirds. Sam English opened the scoring with an end-to-end rush after collecting a rebound off a Cody Jamieson shot before Owen Hiltz buried a low blast less than a minute later to make it 2-0. Halifax answered back behind the hot hand of Clarke Petterson, who scored twice in the opening quarter, while Randy Staats added a power-play marker to briefly tie the game. Toronto responded with transition offense from Lucas Hucal, a rocket from Chris Boushy, and a late transition tally from Mark Matthews to carry a 5-3 lead after one quarter.
The Thunderbirds battled back in the second quarter as Petterson completed his hat trick and Mike Robinson tied the game with a low-to-high laser. Cody Jamieson then gave Halifax its first lead on the power-play midway through the frame, but Toronto answered once again with timely offense. Chris Boushy capitalized on a two-man advantage to even the score before Hugh Kelleher restored the Rock lead with a crease-side blast. Owen Hiltz added a buzzer-beater with just 1.7 seconds left in the half, giving Toronto momentum and an 8-6 advantage heading into the break.
The Toronto Rock saved their best defensive effort for when it mattered most, shutting the door on the Halifax Thunderbirds in a championship-clinching 12-7 victory to capture the 2026 NLL title. After a high-paced first half, both defenses tightened considerably in the third quarter with only two goals scored. Brendan Bomberry briefly gave Halifax life early in the frame, but Owen Hiltz answered in transition with a laser to the short side to restore Toronto’s momentum and send the Rock into the fourth quarter holding a 9-7 advantage.
From there, Toronto took complete control. Rookie sensation CJ Kirst delivered the dagger midway through the fourth quarter, hammering home a blistering shot from his off side before Chris Boushy followed with a highlight-reel diving finish from the top of the crease. Latrell Harris iced the championship with an empty-net goal in the final minutes as the Rock celebrated their return to the top of the National Lacrosse League. Backed by a relentless defensive effort, timely transition play, and clutch scoring, Toronto closed out Halifax in dominant fashion to officially become the 2026 NLL Champions.
To The Game:
The Rock opened the scoring with Sam English going coast to coast firing a shot in transition off a rebound from Cody Jamieson’s shot the other way at 1:56, followed by Owen Hiltz with a low blast off a CJ Kirst pass 0:47 seconds later.
Clarke Petterson got one back with a dip and dunk move from in close off a Mike Robinson pass at 3:47, followed by a bounced shot on the power-play from Randy Staats to tie the game at 6:48.
Toronto regained the lead in transition with Lucas Hucal finishing an Elijah Gash feed at 7:36, followed by a howitzer from Chris Boushy from the outside off a Mark Matthews pass at 12:36.
Clarke Petterson got the Thunderbirds within one with a shot under Nick Rose’s glove off a Mike Robinson pass at 13:43, but Mark Matthews found the top corner with a floater shot in transition off a Lucas Hucal pass at 14:24.
After one quarter, Toronto 5 Halifax 3.
Second Quarter:
Clarke Petterson’s third of the game to the shortside opened the second quarter scoring off a Jake Withers pass at 1:35, followed by Mike Robinson with a low to high laser off a Randy Staats rebound at 2:49 to tie the game.
Cody Jamieson on the power-play gave the Thunderbirds their first lead of the game at 3:49, but on a two man advantage Chris Boushy fired a laser off a Mark Matthews feed at 11:12 to again tie the game.
Hugh Kelleher then gave the lead back to the Rock with a blast from the top of the crease unassisted at 13:05, followed by a bounced shot from Owen Hiltz to the shortside with just 1.7 seconds remaining in the quarter.
At the half, Toronto 8 Halifax 6.
Third Quarter:
The defenses from both teams locked it down hard in the third quarter only yielding two goals in the quarter altogether.
Brendan Bomberry opened the third quarter scoring for Halifax off a Casey Wilson pass at 1:28, but Owen Hiltz in transition fired a low to low laser to the shortside off a Sam English pass at 4:28.
After three quarters, Toronto 9 Halifax 7.
Fourth Quarter:
CJ Kirst finally broke the scoring drought from his off side with an absolute howitzer off a Dan Craig pass at 9:22, followed by Chris Boushy diving from the top of the crease at 13:10. Latrell Harris then scored into an empty net to seal the deal at 14:15.
Final score, Toronto 12 Halifax 7.
Congratulations to the Toronto Rock – 2026 NLL Champions!
(Photo courtesy of Ryan McCullough/Toronto Rock)
Sam English was awarded the Playoff MVP!
(Photo courtesy of the NLL/Instagram)
The Three Stars:
1. Nick Rose
2. Chris Boushy
3. Owen Hiltz
Game Stats:
- Shots on goal favored Toronto 52-41.
- The faceoff battle went to Halifax 13-9
- The loose ball battle was won by the Thunderbirds 65-62.
- Toronto went 1 for 3 on the power-play while Halifax went 2 for 2.
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