Toronto Rock struggles defensively as Las Vegas Desert Dogs roll to convincing win

HAMILTON — The Las Vegas Desert Dogs have found their identity. The Toronto Rock found it has some serious work to do.

Usually strong defensively, the Rock was simply outclassed 17-11 by a Vegas team that is reaping the benefits of an aggressive off-season retooling. Usually able to give its goaltenders a chance to shine, Toronto instead gave its opponents too many paths to the front of the net. And when you give that to a guy like Chase Fraser, who has put the NLL on more ESPN highlight packages than anyone else, there’s little any goalie in the world can do to stop him.

“We’re making little mistakes here and there,” defender Josh Jubenville said. “It’s tough for any goalie whoever is shooting the ball at the top of the crease.”

“That’s one little thing that we have to clean up and we’ll get at it at practice.”

Vancouver-native Fraser scored twice in the first quarter and from there, Las Vegas (2-1) never relinquished the lead. He would end up with three along with Jackson Webster, who scored on a breakaway late in the third on his way to the natural hat trick. Sean Westley, Adam Poitras, Chris Cloutier and Mitch Jones has two each with Jones adding six assists.

Oakville’s Jonathan Donville added one along with John LaFontaine and Connor Kirst. Kirst was playing against his brother CJ on the indoor stage for the first time and got to enjoy some nice post-game moments with family in the stands.

For his part, CJ Kirst is showing signs he might be the league’s next big superstar, scoring four times in just his third NLL game and being the Rock’s only offensive bright spot. Overall, Toronto’s early game shots were easily smothered by Vegas goaltender Landon Kells. Jubenville scored twice in transition and Toronto did get some goals from Josh Dawick, Challen Rogers, Mark Matthews and Owen Hiltz as well as Hugh Kelleher with his first career goal.

“There’s definitely positives,” defender Brad Kri said. “It’s tough to see right now.”

“As I mentioned in the room, this is going to be a journey. We’re not going to be running teams out of the building just yet. We have to find ourselves.”

The Rock (1-2) has yet another bye-week before heading west to play the San Diego Seals on Jan 10.

Elsewhere around the NLL

Six goals from Brennan O’Neill were not enough as the Philadelphia Wings (1-2) gave up a 7-1 late-game run to the Ottawa Black Bears in a 16-12 loss at Canadian Tire Centre. Rob Hellyer finished with a hat trick and eight points for the Black Bears (2-2).

Austin Shanks scored with 1:02 to play to give the Saskatchewan Rush a 10-9 win over the Halifax Thunderbirds. Zach Manns scored twice for the Rush (3-1) while Randy Staats had three for Halifax (2-1).

And 43 saves by Brett Dobson allowed the Georgia Swarm (2-2) to cruise to a 12-3 win over the Colorado Mammoth (1-2). Kaleb Benedict scored two of his three markers in a six-goal third quarter that put the game away for Georgia.

The Buffalo Bandits (1-1) faced the Calgary Roughnecks (0-2) late Sunday. The Oshawa FireWolves (1-3) return to Tribute Communities Centre on Jan. 3 to face the Black Bears.