The Ottawa Black Bears made an excellent first impression on sports fans in the nation’s capital. As for the Toronto Rock, it has a lot of issues to sort out if it is to be a contender in the National Lacrosse League.
The Black Bears dominated an undermanned, sloppy and lethargic Rock side 11-5 at Canadian Tire Centre in the first game of the National Lacrosse League season before 6,995 fans. The home side impressed with excellent goaltending from Zack Higgins, who ended with 41 saves. The defensive crew showed great energy all game and Jacob Dunbar had a career night offensively with three goals and three assists.
“When we got to training camp, we were getting ready for this game,” Higgins said. “It showed tonight.”
Defensively, the Rock, already adjusting to the loss of faceoff man T D Ierlan for the foreseeable future, were also without Brad Kri and captain Challen Rogers. The back end ran out of steam in the third quarter as the Black Bears scored six times.
Offensively, the Rock was unable to score on the offensive set until Chris Boushy beat Higgins early in the fourth quarter. After being shut out in the first half, Toronto’s first goal came in the third quarter on its 25th shot when Latrell Harris, playing his first game since 2023, scored on a breakaway. Another transition opportunity led to Brian Cameron’s first career goal. Mitch de Snoo added another transition marker in the fourth and Josh Dawick closed the scoring.
Dunbar was helped on the offensive end by Connor Kearnan, who also had a hat trick for Ottawa. Reilly O’Connor scored twice while Kiel Matisz, Taggart Clark, and Jeff Teat scored one each.
It was the first opening-game loss for the Rock since 2019. The team will look to bounce back next Saturday its home opener at Paramount Fine Foods Centre in Mississauga against the Albany FireWolves.