IL Indoor

Stephan Leblanc is confident the Rock can get back on track this weekend. (Photo: Graig Abel)

Toronto Rock stud rookie forwards Garrett Billings and Stephan Leblanc hit the Toronto airwaves on the FAN590 earlier today, the two talking to host Mike Hogan about their days watching the National Lacrosse League before they broke into the league this year, their expectations for their rookie debuts, playing alongside Colin Doyle, opportunities for Canadian kids in today’s college game, NHL and lacrosse crossovers, and way more.

The Rock are in Orlando this weekend for an all-important tilt with the Titans, the two teams just a half-game away from one another in the standings, the winner likely taking sole possession of first place with a W (unless Boston has something to say about it). “I think it looks good,” said Leblanc in regards to catching the first place Titans in the East Division this week.

“We’ve had two good practices, we practice again tonight, and it’s gonna be a hard faught battle but I think we’re gonna do well.”

Billings and Leblanc both had a pair of goals the last and only time the teams played this year, Orlando getting to the Rock’s goaltending and D with a 16-12 win at the Air Canada Centre.

The Rock, who’ve only played twice over the past month (earlier deemed by Insider to have the toughest sked in the NLL this year), are on a four game slide that has seen them drop games to the Calgary Roughnecks, Edmonton Rush, Titans and most recently the surging Buffalo Bandits in OT. During their first seven games in 2010, going a smooth sailing 6-1, Toronto was averaging under nine goals against per outing, that number ballooning in recent weeks, the team now allowing close to 13 goals against in their previous four losses.

PLUS THE LINKS

Back to the Future – “There were a lot of great young players when I played here before. We had Paul Gait, Duane Jacobs and that has just been replaced by a crop of new great players like John Grant Jr., the Evans Brothers, the list goes on. Gary Gait is here and Paul is coaching. I am playing with a bunch of all-stars and future Hall of Famers.” – Chris Driscoll on his second stint with the Rochester Knighthawks (Rochester Knighthawks)

Cross training – “There is a particular intensity and some mental skills that I think we share (lacrosse and mixed martial arts) and can help each other.” – MMA legend Randy Couture, who took in his first NLL games last week in Edmonton (NLL)

Boss man - “He brings a wealth of lacrosse experience to the team. He has played at every level including pro but what’s more exciting is his coaching resume. I don’t think there is anyone in Nanaimo who is a better coach then Roger. I have had the pleasure on a few occasions to be coached by Roger and he is extremely intelligent and knows the game of lacrosse.” – Nanaimo Sr. B T-Men President Pat O’Dwyer on the team’s new head coach Roger Dubyna, a longtime Nanaimo ball player throughout the 70’s and early 80’s, and also a member of the Quebec Caribou in the old NLL, where he played with current Rock GM Terry Sanderson (Canada.com)

Junior T-Men – And in other Timbermen news, the Jr. A club, who released former head coach Tyson Leies of his duties earlier this off-season, has officially named Dave Bremner the team’s new bench boss. “You need leadership on the floor, usually from your veteran players, but it is very important to have it on the bench as well. Dave fits the role as good as anyone at any level.” – Forbes Mitchell, Nanaimo GM (Nanaimo News Bulletin)

Check out the Washington Stealth’s 1-on-1 with Paul Rabil below…

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