The Halifax Thunderbirds faced a tough defeat in Game 1 of the NLL Finals on May 15, 2026. They lost to the Toronto Rock with a final score of 13-11 at TD Coliseum in Hamilton, Ontario.
Game Highlights
The match started explosively for Toronto, with Dan Craig and Owen Hiltz scoring early. However, Halifax quickly responded, showcasing a strong offensive lineup. Key players for Halifax included:
- Clarke Petterson – 4 points
- Cody Jamieson – 4 points
- Jason Knox – 4 points
- Brendan Bomberry – 3 points
- Mike Robinson – 3 points
- Bo Bowhunter – 3 points
- Stephen Keogh – 2 points
- Casey Wilson – 2 points
First Half Breakdown
Halifax initially fell behind but rallied to take the lead. After Toronto’s early goals, Bowhunter, Robinson, Knox, and Petterson scored for Halifax. Mark Matthews helped Toronto close the gap to one goal at the end of the first quarter.
The second quarter saw Jake Withers score an opening transition goal for Halifax. Knox followed with another, establishing a momentum shift. Despite CJ Kirst’s goal for Toronto, Halifax surged ahead with three straight goals from Wilson, Keogh, and Knox, making it 9-4.
As the first half ended, Kirst scored his second goal, leaving Halifax with a comfortable four-goal lead.
Second Half Turning Point
The second half proved challenging for the Thunderbirds. Toronto’s Kirst scored two consecutive goals, which shifted the momentum. Josh Dawick’s goal evened the score at nine, setting up an intense final quarter.
The Rock took the lead with a goal from Challen Rogers. Jamieson responded with two goals, briefly putting Halifax back ahead. However, Toronto quickly regained control with Hiltz’s transition goal and a critical marker from Sam English, who also sealed the victory with an empty-net goal in the final seconds.
Next Steps
The Thunderbirds now trail 1-0 in the NLL Finals. The series moves to Halifax for Game 2, where the Thunderbirds will aim to tie the series. The next game is scheduled for Sunday at 7:00 p.m. AT.
