THE CANADIAN PRESS
TORONTO — Kasey Beirnes scored four goals and Colin Doyle, Garrett Billings, Blaine Manning and Stephan Leblanc fired in three each as the Toronto Rock defeated the Philadelphia Wings 19-11 Friday night, but Kim Squire was everybody’s choice as first star.
Squire, in his first pro game in nearly four years, scored two goals and was all smiles after his triumphant return.
"Everybody keeps asking me, ‘How does it feel? How does it feel?"’ he said. "It’ll have to sink in for a while.
"I never thought I’d be back in Toronto. It was the last place I thought I’d have a chance at. I can thank Colin for that because he got me back here. He’s trusting me to step up and I hope I don’t let him down."
Scott Campbell also had a goal for the Rock, who had 13 players amass 52 scoring points. Manning and Leblanc each had six assists as the Rock improved to 4-1 atop the National Lacrosse League’s East Division in front of an announced Air Canada Centre crowd of 10,256.
Dan Teat and Kyle Sweeney scored on the first two shots on Bob Watson but the Wings’ 2-0 lead quickly disappeared. By the end of the first quarter, Toronto was up 6-4 and had a 19-9 advantage in shots on goal.
It was 9-5 when Squire scored two power-play goals 27 seconds apart on pick-and-roll plays to the left of goalie Brandon Miller.
On the first one, Squire faked a shot, took a step to his left and bounced the ball into the far side of the net. It was his first NLL goal since the 2006 title game when he was with Buffalo, and his first for the Rock since 2003. Teammates converged with hugs and congratulations. Squire’s second goal was almost identical although he only faked once before letting his shot fly this time.
Doyle assisted on Squire’s two goals. It was just like old times. The two worked wonders together, sharing in four NLL championships, before Squire left the team after its 2003 title run. Doyle was traded away in December 2006 and was reacquired last Dec. 15. He asked management to grant Squire a tryout and the 30-year-old Six Nations resident earned a contract and roster spot to be reunited with Doyle.
"We’re all excited for him," coach Troy Cordingley said of Squire’s reappearance. "Four years of not being in the league and what this (sport) means to him … and his passion.
"He found a way to get back here, we’re real happy with him and we’re happy he scored two goals. You could see him and Doylie were working the magic they had before. They were a little bit off but it was a great performance by Kimbo."
Toronto was up 11-5 at halftime while outshooting Philadelphia 36-16.
With the Rock ahead 14-7, Doyle whipped an underhand shot past Miller for his third goal and seventh point of the night, moving him within two points of the 1,000-point milestone he can reach when Toronto plays in Buffalo on Saturday night.
"Colin is one of the best to ever play in this league," said Cordingley. "That’s why he’s only two away from 1,000."
Doyle said he was unaware he was so close to 1,000. Buffalo’s John Tavares is the all-time leader with 1,420 points, Gary Gait has 1,139 and Doyle now has 998.
"I don’t pay much attention to that," he said of the personal milestone. "But it’s nice.
"If it happens, it’ll be nice company to be in, for sure. It would have been nice to do it at home."
Running with Squire again was a kick, Doyle said.
"It was a fun night," he said. "It was a little nerve-wracking because it was so long since we played together but we had some good chances and he played hard, he played tenaciously. I felt a lot more comfortable with him in the lineup. It was a special night."
The final shots-on-goal count was 58-44 in Toronto’s favour.
"We pride ourselves in winning the small victories," Cordingley replied when asked to gauge his team’s progress. "The more small victories you win during a game, they help produce a triumph.
"We have lots of confidence in our guys. Things are gelling. It’s early, but we’re happy with where we’re at right now."
Teat and Sweeney lad the Wings with two goals each. Coach David Huntley didn’t use many words to sum up the team’s effort in falling to 1-4.
"Outcoached, outworked, outplayed," said Huntley. "It’s as simple as that. That’s all there is to say."
An East Coast storm made travel back to Philadelphia for the team’s American players impossible and they were told they’d probably remain in Toronto until Sunday.
Notes: On power plays, Toronto was 5-for-7 and Philadelphia was 1-for-3… Rock scratches: Josh Wasson, Mike Hominuck, Drew Petkoff, Creighton Reid and Anthony Lackey… The Wings’ Max Seibald made his pro debut wearing No. 18. The native of Hewlett, N.Y., won the award for most outstanding player in U.S. college field lacrosse with Cornell last year… This was the shortest road trip of the season for Philadelphia forwards Dan Teat and Jason Crosbie, who are from Brampton, Ont., and Oshawa, Ont., respectively… The next Rock home game is against Edmonton next Friday.