The theme all season long for the Toronto Rock has been ”unfinished business”. The goal was to get back to the Champion’s Cup final and avenge their 2010 defeat, as well as sending future hall of fame goaltender Bob Watson home with a title in this his final year.

As far as revenge and redemption goes Toronto could not have asked for a better opponent to face in tomorrow’s NLL championship then the team that beat them in the finals last year 15-11. This time around it will be the Washington Stealth who will be on the road in what will surely be a rowdy Air Canada Centre. Back on April 1, the Rock squeaked out an entertaining 13-12 victory over the Stealth, however, that was without one of Washington’s key players Jeff Zywicki in the lineup. “He’s an elite player and we are very happy to have him and Kyle Sorensen on defense back in the lineup. We are healthy,” commented Washington head coach Chris Hall during the NLL weekly coaches call.

There is plenty of respect between both clubs from ownership all the way down to the players. “They are the defending champs and healthy. They were missing some key guys early in the season who they have back now,” explained Rock head coach Troy Cordingley. Glancing at the regular season standings Washington appeared to be anything but championship material, as they finished third in the West division and with 0.500 record. Those numbers turned out to be quite deceiving as coach Cordingley alluded to in that the Stealth suffered a slew of costly injuries early on, but recoved nicely to make a strong push.

Although they were the class of the NLL in 2010, Washington knew that tweaks had to be made in order for a chance at a return to glory. “This season we wanted to improve on our left hand side and in our transition,” said Hall. He continued, “Getting Cliff Smith was at the top of our list and unfortunately we had to give up two good young players to get him, but it was worth it.”

For Toronto the sub-story to gaining redemption for their loss to Washington in the Champion’s Cup a year ago is that this is Bob “Whipper” Watson’s last game in-between the pipes for the Rock. “It’s a great story to get a chance for him to win it at home and for the fans to see him one more time,” explained Cordingley. “He is a leader and the young guys look up to him. But, Bob would be the first to say that its a team game and we’ll need every guy playing their best to win.”

With both squads being so evenly matched to predict an outcome is too close to call. Coach Cordingley may have summed it up best by saying, “quite honestly it will come down to who just wants it more.”

I caught up with Toronto Rock defender and Team Canada Lacrosse member, Sandy Chapman this week to ask about Sunday’s Champion’s Cup rematch.

Q. What area do the Rock have to improve on most coming off of the close victory over Buffalo in the East finals?

A. I think the biggest thing we need to focus on is playing the entire 60 minutes. In Buffalo we got a few big leads and then allowed them to get back into the game. We definitely need to play one shift at a time and maintain our intensity until the final buzzer regardless of the score.

Q. What was the mood in practice this week heading into the Champion’s Cup versus the same team that defeated Toronto Last year? Also, what advice do you and the other veterans give to the rookies/younger players before a game of the magnitude?

A. Everyone at practice was motivated and excited to be in the finals, but I think the overall mood on the team is determination. We have all worked hard to get to this game and take back what should have been ours last year. We had that game within our grasp and it left a bitter taste in our mouths. We’re ready and we’re determined to get it done on Sunday. We are lucky that most of our guys played in that game last year and have the experience of playing in a packed arena that is exploding with energy. It’s important though, to make sure that the young guys feed off of that energy, but at the same time stay loose and keep their adrenaline and emotions in check.

Q. Who do the Rock have to specifically target on Washington to succeed?

A. Washington has a bunch of threats on their team. Rabil, Duch, Zywicki, Ratcliff. We have to stick to our defensive game plan and contain them as best as we can. With the fire power they have, we know that they are going to get chances so we need to minimize the quality of their scoring chances.

Rock Tweets of the Week

@StealthDragon “it’ll be @Lwilzey (Luke Wiles)- he can shoot the lights out will everyone is focusing on @Zywicki67′s (Jeff Zywicki) return” -in reply to who will be the breakout player for either Toronto or Washington in the game Sunday.

@NLLPR “NLL Network announcer @AndyMc81 on @FAN590 1:40pmET today, talking Rock vs Stealth in the NLL Champ Game @TorontoRockLax @KrystalNation”

@Shakes1 “@FAN590 great idea having @AndyMc81 on to talk @TorontoRockLax he should be your rock reporter plain n simple”

@GraemePerrow “I’m OK with Dickson as ROTY (Rookie of the Year), just the way the Khawks were collecting awards, I assumed he’d (Cody Jamieson) get that one too.”

Send your tweets on the Rock, the 2011 World Indoor Lacrosse Championships in Prague, or anything lacrosse to @AndyMc81 

 National Lacrosse League 2011 Awards

- NLL Most Valuable Player Award: Calgary Roughnecks Jeff Shattler- honoured for outstanding transition and solid all around play

- NLL Rookie of the Year: Calgary Roughnecks Curtis Dickson- led all rookies in goals (33). – Toronto’s Aaron Pascas named to NLL All-Rookie Team

2011 WORLD INDOOR LACROSSE CHAMPIONSHIPS

The 2011 WILC tournament in Prague, Czech Republic is fast approaching (May 21-28) and will feature the 2-time defending world champion Team Canada along with teams from USA, Ireland, England, Iroquois Nationals, Australia, Czech Republic, and Slovakia. Toronto Rock players Colin Doyle, Stephan Leblanc, and Sandy Chapman will all be suiting up for Team Canada.

I wanted to thank North American tournament sponsors: Lacrosse All Stars; Gait Lacrosse; MyLacrosseVideoGame.com; and Fresh Gear. I can’t wait to get over there to do the play-by-play broadcasts!

Be sure to follow me on Twitter @: http://twitter.com/AndyMc81, keep an eye on the “Inside The Rock”  blog, and visit NLL.com for all the latest Toronto Rock, National Lacrosse League, and 2011 World Indoor Lacrosse Championships action.

Andy McNamara is a sports broadcaster for the Toronto Rock lacrosse on the NLL Network (www.nll.com), along with collegiate and minor league hockey, baseball, basketball, football, volleyball, and OCW pro-wrestling across the GTA on Rogers TV, Cogeco, and Durham College/UOIT.

He will also be the play-by-play voice of the 2011 World Indoor Lacrosse Championships in Prague, Czech Republic May 21-28 and is a representative for Team Canada Lacrosse. To enquire on sponsorship opportunities with Team Canada or the 2011 WILC tournament itself, contact Andy at andymcnamara@hotmail.com

The road to the Champion’s Cup goes through Buffalo and that is exactly where the Toronto Rock will be headed Saturday night to battle it out one more time with their arch rival the Bandits. The atmosphere is sure to be hostile in the always nasty HSBC Arena where Buffalo boasts a 2-1 regular season edge over the Rock, including spoiling Bob Watson night at the Air Canada Centre.

In the NLL coaches call this week great respect was shown between both clubs head coaches. Toronto’s Troy Cordingley and Buffalo’s Darris Kilgour used to play together, however, make no mistake, the friendship gets firmly put aside once the opening faceoff occurs. On playing the Rock for the fourth time in 2011 Kilgour commented, “we have a good idea what they’re going to do and they know what we can do.” He continued, “it will depend on what team can control themselves more; neither side wants to be in the penalty box.” The preseason brawl, which resulted in over thirty players being disciplined and the fight filled war in Toronto certainly speaks to the possibility of another extremely physical encounter.

After dropping their final trio of matches coming into the playoffs coach Cordingley was pleased with his squad in last Sunday’s contest against Rochester. “I thought we beat a real good team in Rochester, they came into the playoffs hot. It was good to see our guys bounce back like that,” he explained.

During any post season run untimely injuries can derail any dreams of a title in a hurry. Both the Bandits and Rock had some scares in their respective Eastern semi-finals. Buffalo’s legendary star John Tavares left the game for a time to have therapy, but came back in the fourth quarter to get a key goal. “He’s been battling a tight calf injury so we sent him back for some therapy. He came back to save us again and score.” Kilgour went on by saying, “there is no one else I’d rather have on my team then John Tavares.”

On the Toronto side rookie standout Aaron Pascas went down hard versus the Knighthawks with an ankle injury. Calling the game for the NLL Network I saw Pascas put no weight on that foot and visually it did not look good. Troy Cordingley had some potentially encouraging news in that Pascas was diagnosed as suffering a left ankle sprain and is listed as ‘probable’ to play Saturday. Pascas has scored a goal in all three games against the Bandits this year.

I caught up with Toronto Rock 2011 goal leader and Team Canada Lacrosse member, Stephan Leblanc, to ask him about the playoffs.

Q. What is the area that the Rock need to improve on versus Buffalo coming off of the huge win against Rochester?

A. “I believe if we battle and capitalize on our chances we’ll have success.”

Q. After the sluggish last 3 games of the regular season what impressed you most about how the Rock played as a team and who impressed you individually?

A. “Whip (Bob Watson) played unreal in net. We adjusted to the mistakes made in the later part of the season and came together.”

Q.  Who are the one or two key players that the Rock have to shut down on the Bandits to be successful and why?

A. “Obviously J.T. (John Tavares) is the quarterback of that team. We shut him down and we’ll give ourselves a good chance to win.”

Rock and Bandits will decide who goes to the championship match-up Saturday at 7:30pm on TSN2 in Canada and on the NLL Network everywhere else.

ROCK TWEETS OF THE WEEK:

@musicallutheran “11-9 bandits, culp with the winner” (reply to the prediction of the Rock vs. Bandits Eastern final)

@BanditsBeat “Preseason brawl, OT winner in Buffalo, Rock win fight-filled game in Toronto, Bandits spoil Whipper’s party, and here we are. #NLL”

@shankell “We’re coming for you Buffalo!!”

@Shakes1 “Congrats to the @TorontoRockLax on the big time win today woot woot @AndyMc81 @shankell”

@briguy100 “Doyle channels his inner Garry Gaite with his 100th playoff point and then passes ties it up! #gorockgo”

NATIONAL LACROSSE LEAGUE NEWS:

NLL SEASON AWARDS- Rochester domination thus far

2011 Sportmanship Award- Rochester Knighthawks Jordan Hall. Highlights- 18 goals, 22 assists, involvement in the Rochester community and mentor to younger players on the Knighthawks.

2011 Executive of the Year & General Manager of the Year- Rochester Knighthawks owner/GM Curt Styres was honoured for his commitment to lacrosse both on and off the turf. He is the first Native North American to own a sports franchise and is involved with charities in the Rochester area.

2011 Head Coach of the Year- Rochester Knighthawks Mike Hasen is the recipient of The Les Bartley Award and is the first ever rookie head coach to win this honour.

NLL PLAYOFFS:

Western Division Final- Sat. May 7: Washington Stealth at Calgary Roughnecks

2011 WORLD INDOOR LACROSSE CHAMPIONSHIPS

The 2011 WILC tournament in Prague, Czech Republic is fast approaching (May 21-28) and will feature the 2-time defending world champion Team Canada along with teams from USA, Ireland, England, Iroquois Nationals, Australia, Czech Republic, and Slovakia.

I wanted to thank North American tournament sponsors: Lacrosse All Stars; Gait Lacrosse; MyLacrosseVideoGame.com; and Fresh Gear. I can’t wait to get over there to do the play-by-play broadcasts!

Be sure to follow me on Twitter @: http://twitter.com/AndyMc81, keep an eye on the “Inside The Rock”  blog, and visit NLL.com for all the latest Toronto Rock, National Lacrosse League, and 2011 World Indoor Lacrosse Championships action.

Andy McNamara is a sports broadcaster for the Toronto Rock lacrosse on the NLL Network (www.nll.com), along with collegiate and minor league hockey, baseball, basketball, football, volleyball, and OCW pro-wrestling across the GTA on Rogers TV, Cogeco, and Durham College/UOIT.

He will also be the play-by-play voice of the 2011 World Indoor Lacrosse Championships in Prague, Czech Republic May 21-28 and is a representative for Team Canada Lacrosse. To enquire on sponsorship opportunities with Team Canada or the 2011 WILC tournament itself, contact Andy at andymcnamara@hotmail.com