Toronto Rock crowned NLL champions after Game 2 victory against Halifax

The Toronto Rock captured their first National Lacrosse League championship in 15 years with a 12-7 victory over the Halifax Thunderbirds on Sunday at Scotiabank Centre.

Toronto sealed the best-of-three NLL Finals series after also winning Friday’s opener 13-11.

Owen Hiltz and Chris Boushy each scored three goals and added one assist, while Mark Matthews recorded a goal and three assists for the Rock. Goaltender Nick Rose made 34 saves in the title-clinching win.

Sam English, Hugh Kelleher, Lucas Hugal, C.J. Kirst and Latrell Harris also scored for Toronto, which led 8-6 at half-time before extending the advantage in the second half.

Halifax was led by Clarke Petterson, who finished with three goals and one assist.

Mike Robinson, Randy Staats, Cody Jamieson and Brendan Bomberry also found the net for the Thunderbirds. Goalkeeper Warren Hill stopped 40 shots.

The championship is Toronto’s seventh overall NLL title and its first since defeating the Washington Stealth 8-7 in 2011.

The victory also ends the recent dominance of the Buffalo Bandits, who had won the previous three league championships.

Rock forward Sam English was named playoff MVP following the series victory.