Black Wolves Open Season With Win at Toronto

Veteran forward Callum Crawford (98) scored seven points (3 goals,
4 assists) to lead the Black Wolves to an opening-night victory
in Toronto.

TORONTO—The New England Black Wolves opened up its 2019-20 season with a 12-8 road win against the Toronto Rock on Saturday night. Toronto took an early 2-0 lead over the Black Wolves with goals by Dan Dawson and Dan Craig.

New England went on a 4-0 scoring run to take a two-goal lead late in the first quarter. Joe Resetarits netted in two of the four goals which were divided by a goal apiece from Tony Malcom and Jordan Durston. Malcom and Durston both recorded their first goals in the orange and black.

Toronto added a third goal to end the first.

Callum Crawford sent New England into another offensive flurry. The veteran forward put the Black Wolves up 5-3 on a man-up possession. Colton Watkinson scored on a breakaway followed by a goal from Durston behind the net.

Under five minutes, the Rock went on a scoring run of its own. Toronto netted three goals cutting the Black Wolves’ lead to 7-6. To close out the half, Stephan Leblanc scored his first goal of the game and sent the Pack headed into the break, 8-6.

Toronto opened the second half with goals scored by Johnny Powless and Adam Jones. New England rookie Andrew Kew answered with a power play goal—the first of his NLL career.

Crawford followed with two more goals for the Black Wolves and secured a hat trick to increase the lead to 11-8. The last goal of the game was an empty net goal scored by Nick Chaykowsky after a long pass ahead from Doug Jamieson.

Jamieson had a strong first showing in the net for the Pack. The starting keeper only allowed two goals in the second half. He finished the contest with 46 saves, nine shy of his career high 55 saves and he saw 54 shots on goal.

On the evening, New England recorded 51 shots, collected 70 loose balls. Toronto recorded 54 shots and 84 loose balls.

The Black Wolves will hit the road again next week when they take on the Saskatchewan Rush at the Sasktel Centre in Saskatoon, Saskatchewa on Saturday. Faceoff is set for 8:30 p.m. ET. The Black Wolves home opener will be on Fri., Dec. 27, vs. the New York Riptide. Game starts at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are available at the Mohegan Sun Arena box office, or by clicking HERE.

Game Leaders:

NE: C. Crawford 3G, 4A, 7P, J. Resetarits 2G, 3A, 5P, J. Durston 2G, A. Kew 1G, 3A

TOR: D. Dawson 2G, J. Powless 2G, 1A, T. Schreiber 3A

—Staff Reports

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