Dylan Watson of the San Diego Seals in Sunday’s semifinal game. Photo courtesy San Diego Seals
East County News Service
May 3, 2026 (San Diego) — Staring down playoff elimination at Pechanga Arena, the San Diego Seals delivered their most complete performance of the postseason on Sunday afternoon. The Seals topped the Toronto Rock 11-6 in Game 2 of their NLL Semifinal series to force a decisive third game next weekend in Hamilton, Ontario.
The result ends any thought of a Toronto sweep and sets up a winner-take-all showdown, with the Seals riding a wave of momentum, which was pushed to the heights with a hometown crowd that sent them off the floor roaring.
With Seals goaltender Chris Origlieri placed on the Injured Reserve list the morning of the game, the Seals turned to Cam Dunkerley to guard the net. Making his first career playoff start, Dunkerley stepped up to the job, stopping 36 of 42 shots (85.7 save percentage).
On the offensive end, Dylan Watson was the story, netting a season-high four goals to bring his postseason total to nine. Wes Berg finished with five assists and one goal, while Connor Robinson added two scores. James Barclay, Eli Gobrecht, Tre Leclaire and Zach Currier rounded out the offense with single goals.
The game was a physical affair, with officials assessing 80 total penalty minutes. There were also four ejections.
San Diego’s special teams converted on two of seven power play opportunities while shutting out Toronto’s man advantage, holding the Rock to 0-for-5 on the power play.
Game 3 is set for Saturday, May 9, at TD Coliseum in Hamilton, with faceoff at 4 p.m. Pacific time. A Seals win sends San Diego to their first-ever NLL Cup Finals; a Rock win would end the Seals’ season.