Toronto Rock’s slim playoffs hopes go down in flames with loss to Vancouver Warriors

The Vancouver Warriors are heading to the National Lacrosse League playoffs on a mission.

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The Warriors (10-7) qualified for just its second post-season appearance since relocating from Washington State to British Columbia 11 seasons ago with a 12-10 win over the Toronto Rock at Paramount Fine Foods Centre on Friday. And judging how well they have played the past month, they will be a pain to play against.

“Obviously, that’s what you play for as a competitor,” veteran forward Keegan Bal said. “As an athlete, I want to play in the most important games which is the playoffs.”

“We had some tough years but we all stuck with it. The reward is that much sweeter.”

Meanwhile, the Rock dropped to 5-11 and lost any remaining strings of possibility it had to make the playoffs and with two games left, the team that made the league’s semi-final round the past four seasons and amassed a 15-3 record in 2023-24 will finish with its worst mark since going 5-13 in 2016.

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Just as he did when the Warriors dominated the Rock 13-8 on March 14 at Rogers Arena, goaltender Christian Del Bianco gave Toronto’s offense very little and ended with 35 saves. Del Bianco was traded to the Warriors on March 10 after spending the first portion of the season as a holdout from the Calgary Roughnecks. The former NLL Most Valuable Player had been keeping in shape playing in the second-tier Arena Lacrosse League.

Meanwhile the Warriors were led at the front end by Adam Charlambedes who scored Vancouver’s first two goals and two more later in the game.

“Our offence moved well,” Charlambedes said. “All five guys moved their feet, moved the ball, and stuck to the process.”

Marcus Klarich scored twice for Vancouver as did Bal. The Warriors also got offence from Owen Grant, Riley Loewen, Ryan Martel and Kevin Crowley. Vancouver led 7-3 at the half and responded well after Toronto went on a three-goal run in the third quarter.

The Rock got a hat trick from Chris Boushy, who finished a 4-0 Toronto run in the fourth quarter which made the score respectable. Toronto had two goals each from Corey Small and Josh Dawick. Challen Rogers, Justin Martin and Jake Darlison also scored. Rogers, the Rock captain, surpassed the 100-goal mark for his career last week in a loss to the Las Vegas Desert Dogs. Goaltender Troy Holowchuk ended with 28 saves.

The Rock will play its final home game in Mississauga next Friday against the Halifax Thunderbirds.

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