The NLL playoffs opened with a wild one in Toronto, where the Rock nearly blew a big lead against Halifax. They were tied 13-13 with just 28 seconds left in regulation after controlling most of the game. Halifax ran a smart final play, working the ball around to set up a shot with bodies crashing the middle. The first two shots were saved, but then a behind-the-back attempt was tipped in. On the broadcast, it looked like the ball crossed the line with 0.8 seconds left. But the officials ruled no goal, deciding the ball went in after time expired. Halifax didn’t push back much, though it was close.
Toronto took control in overtime. Halifax missed a wide shot, then tried to keep the possession alive, but a Toronto player jumped a pass and tipped it over a defenseman’s head for a clean breakaway. He faked high and slid a low backhand through the goalie’s legs to end it. Toronto escaped what could’ve been a heartbreaking loss. The finish was capped off by a double high five between the scorer and a kid in the stands, followed by chaos on one bench and heartbreak on the other. Halifax’s goalie Bold looked crushed. Teammates rallied around him. Toronto moves on to the semifinals in the one-and-done Wild Card round. Buffalo, San Diego, and Colorado also advanced. The next round switches to a best-of-three series.