The Toronto defense, first in the National Lacrosse League during the regular season, was even more Rock-solid this evening, as they defeated the Philadelphia Wings 13-2 in a semi-final playoff game before 12,026 in Maple Leaf Gardens. The win advances the Rock to the NLL Championship Game a week from tonight (23 April, at 7:00 PM) at home against the winner of tomorrow night’s Rochester at Baltimore game. The Wings, eliminated from the post-season after a 5-7 regular season, were the defending NLL champs.

Toronto goaltender Bob Watson, named earlier in the week as the goaltender on the NLL’s Second All-Pro Team, outdid his counterpart at the other end, the Wings’ Dallas Eliuk, who was the First All-Pro Team netminder and 1999 NLL save percentage leader. Watson stopped 36 of 38 shots to keep the Rock unbeaten at home this year (they were 6-0 during the regular season).

Philadelphia’s goal total was the lowest ever in pro indoor lacrosse. The previous record had been three by Pittsburgh in the 1992 regular season. The previous low in the playoffs had been five by the Detroit Turbos in the 1993 post-season. Prior to tonight, Philadelphia’s former all-time low had been four, over five years ago (a 13-4 regular season loss in New York, 26 February 1994). The Wings had never scored fewer than 10 goals in a playoff game in team history.

There were offensive heroes in this game as well. At least, for Toronto. Team captain Jim Veltman finished with seven assists and Kim Squire had three goals and two assists.

The Rock scored first and fast, just 38 seconds into the game, when Squire beat Eliuk in front after a nice pass from the sideboards from Chris Langdale. Squire scored again at 4:24, finding himself alone in front after taking a bounce pass from Colin Doyle. When Dan Stroup scored next -- his first of three goals on the night -- at 7:58 to make it 3-0, no one in the building could have known it would be the game-winning goal.

The Wings didn’t get on the board until 19:32 into the game when Fred Jenner tallied on the power play. Philadelphia wouldn’t score again after that, however, until 26:49 later when Jake Bergey solved Watson.

Toronto, winners of their last five regular season games, have not lost since 27 February.

BOX SUMMARY
                                  1  2  3  4     TOT
Philadelphia Wings (5-8, 0-1)     0  1  0  1  --   2
Toronto Rock (10-3, 1-0)          4  2  3  4  --  13

Individual stats currently unavailable.

The above game summary first appeared on JSap's Unofficial Philadelphia Wings Page.