Rock Wins 1st in Rochester To Continue Dynasty May 3, 2003 Larger Photos  |
Rock Wins 1st in Rochester To Continue Dynasty May 3, 2003 Larger Photos |
The Toronto Rock held the Rochester Knighthawks scoreless for nearly twenty-three minutes in the second half, and fought off a late Knighthawks rally to win their fourth Champion's Cup in five years. Bob Watson was named the Championship Game MVP, racking up 40 saves, including many key clutch saves that made the difference down the stretch. 11,051 fans packed the Blue Cross Arena in Rochester for the first league final in the city.Toronto took a 5-0 lead in the first quarter, and never relinquished the lead. The Rock used a balanced scoring attack, with six different players scoring their eight goals. Chris Driscoll, who was acquired late in the season in a blockbuster trade, led the charge with two goal and two assists, while team captain Jim Veltman scored two goals and an assist, including the game-winner. Pat Coyle and Steve Toll each had a goal and an assist.
Rochester was led by John Grant, who scored a hat-trick and added an assist. Curt Malawsky had a goal and an assist as well for the Knighthawks. Pat O'Toole recorded 28 saves for the Knighthawks.
John GrantDespite being man-down for eight minutes in the first quarter, Toronto took command of the game early, catching Pat O'Toole on the breakaway time and time again. Steve Toll put the Rock up early, scoring two shorthanded goals in the first three minutes of the game. Pat Merrill added a goal of his own, catching the home-run pass from Watson and easily beating O'Toole on the one-on-one. Chris Driscoll put the Rock up 4-0, coming out of a loose ball scrum all alone at the edge of the crease. Squire finished the rock run only 9 seconds later, scoring right off of the faceoff on another breakaway goal. However, Rochester showed signs of life late in the quarter, with John Grant putting the Knighthawks on the board, making the score 5-1 Toronto after the first quarter.
After four unsuccessful power plays, Shawn Williams finally scored the Knighthawks second goal to cut into the Rock lead. Jeremy Hollenbeck followed it up with a goal of his own, making the score 5-3. With 18.4 seconds left in the half, John Grant scored a fourth straight goal for Rochester, catching a pass from Shawn Williams and immediately shooting from the edge of the crease. However, Colin Doyle answered back for Toronto, putting the ball in the net with 2.8 seconds left in the half. With the goalie pulled for the extra attacker, Doyle burried the ball past O'Toole, giving Toronto a 6-4 lead at the half.
Jim Veltman scored the only two goals of the third quarter, as the Rock defense and goaltender Bob Watson held Rochester's explosive offense scoreless for over 22 minutes. Veltman scored his first goal at 2:12, off of a great pass from Kevin Finneran, and then scored later in the quarter, diving through the crease to put Toronto up 8-4.
A rare ball BEHIND Bob WatsonRochester began to battle back in the fourth quarter, with John Grant leading the charge. Grant snipered the ball into the net on the power-play to end the scoring drought, and Curt Malawsky followed it up, outrunning his defender to beat Watson. The goal cut the lead to 8-6, and brought the 11,051 fans at the Blue Cross Arena to their feet. Despite the momentum, Toronto was able to run out the clock. With one minute left to play, and Pat O'Toole pulled for the extra attacker, Cory Bomberry shot a rocket at the goal, but it richochetted off the pipe and into the stands. Blaine Manning ran out the clock, and Toronto held on as they won their fourth NLL Championship in five years.
The victory marks the first time Toronto has won in Rochester, heading into the game 0-6 at the Blue Cross Arena. Rochester outshot Toronto, 71-56, and scooped 70 loose balls to Toronto's 53. However, the Knighthawks were 2 for 9 on the power play, missing important opportunities to take control of the game.
Kevin Finneran celebrates with his new teammatesColorado Mammoth forward Gary Gait has been named the Most Valuable Player for the 2002-03 regular season. Gait scored 61 goals during the regular season, breaking his own league record for goals scored in a single season (57 in 1998). Joining Gary on the first all-pro team are:
The Krew's Tim "Knabber" Knabb- Colin Doyle, TOR
- Tracey Kelusky, CGY
- John Tavares, BUF
- Jim Moss, ALB
- Pat O'Toole, ROC
Photo Credits: 20 Toe Photo
ACTION VIDEOS
The Knightengales High Bandwidth Only
John Grant Introduction High Bandwidth Only
Toronto's Jim Veltman to Steve Toll High Bandwidth
Rochester's Pat O'Toole High Bandwidth Only
Toronto's Bob Watson High Bandwidth Only
Toronto's Jim Veltman to Steve Toll High Bandwidth
Toronto's Bob Watson High Bandwidth Only
Toronto's Bob Watson to Patrick Merrill High Bandwidth
Toronto's Chris Driscoll High Bandwidth
Toronto's Pat Coyle High Bandwidth Only
Rochester's John Grant High Bandwidth
More Knightengales High Bandwidth Only
Rochester's Curt Malawski to Shawn Williams High Bandwidth
Toronto's Bob Watson High Bandwidth
WHAT'S KEVIN FINNERAN DO OVER THE SUMMER?
HE GOES TO CREASE MONKEY'S CAMP! DO YOU?
Rochester's Jeremy Hollenbeck High Bandwidth
Rochester's Pat O'Toole High Bandwidth Only
Toronto's Bob Watson High Bandwidth
Toronto's Kevin Finneran to Jim Veltman High Bandwidth
Rochester's Pat O'Toole High Bandwidth Only
Rochester's D High Bandwidth Only
Toronto's Bob Watson High Bandwidth Only
Rochester's John Grant High Bandwidth
Toronto's Bob Watson High Bandwidth Only
Rochester's Tim Soudan to Curt Malawski High Bandwidth
Celebration! High Bandwidth Only
Trophy Presentation to Jim Veltman High Bandwidth Only
Game Photographs
