Next Game: DC Breeze vs New York Empire, 6/11/16 6:30pm
[Updated 6/6/16] The DC Breeze flipped the script on the Toronto Rush, beating the Eastern Division leader 28-23 after two frustrating 1-point losses earlier this season. The nation’s capital city can now proudly claim the first international win over Toronto. Monumental Sports, owners of the NHL’s Washington Capitals and NBA’s Wizards, streamed the game live. See the rebroadcast here.
DC took some notable deep shots this game, with puts from frequent flyers Jonathan “Goose” Helton, Markham Shofner and Bob Liu but even more traditionally conservative throwers like Jonathan Neeley sought to gain yards aloft. Jeff Wodatch lived up to his reputation as a tireless cutter and leading scorer, reeling in six points during the game which elicited riotous cheers from the packed stands.
The predicted rain and thunder held off as the Breeze and the Rush took the field at Gallaudet University. The first quarter opened with a quick first point scored by #99 Alan Kolick. Toronto returned to score a first point and the teams exchanged another round of points before the Breeze caught a break. The Rush came within a point of the Breeze’s lead during the first quarter, but failed to gain the lead at any point during the game. Goose Helton went 75 percent on upfield throws in the first quarter, which got the Breeze into scoring position for easy completions. The first quarter finished with DC leading 7-5.
Toronto scored quickly in the second quarter as the wind picked up and the temperature dropped noticeably. The Rush started mounting points, tying 8-8 but the Breeze adamantly maintained their lead, ending the second half 12-9.
The second half began with an instant Toronto score. On offense, DC endured an increasingly physical game from Toronto but found completion when Liu wove a disc through end zone traffic to connect with Tom Doi. Toronto quickly returned the score.
The two teams continued to exchange points, the Breeze keeping the Rush at an arms length. DC pushed through, ending the third quarter with a healthy 21-15 lead but only after a perfectly timed leap for the Callahan by Nick Spiva to get the Breeze to 20 goals on the night!
Toronto was not going home without a fight, however. The fourth quarter saw the Rush redouble their efforts, closing the Breeze’s lead, even as the Breeze continued to amass points. As the minutes drained from the fourth quarter, a Breeze win seemed more and more likely.
Toronto put three more points away but couldn’t catch the Breeze and DC broke away to end the game 28-23.
This win helps position the Breeze for a second place finish in the Eastern Division.
Libby Chamberlin, Breeze Staff Writer
Watch the entire game here.
Next Game: DC Breeze vs New York Empire, Saturday 6/11, 6:30pm — Tickets