ROCHESTER, NY---The phrase "There's no place like
home" has been the best way to describe the heated
Rochester Knighthawks -Toronto Rock rivalry.<br><br>In the
three years since the Rock joined the league, no
visiting team has ever won in the series, and on Saturday
night, the Knighthawks continued the tradition with a
12-7 victory over the Rock in front of 9,631 at the
Blue Cross Arena. <br><br>The Knighthawks jumped out
to an early 4-2 first quarter lead as Jason Crosbie,
John Grant and Casey Zaph each scored in the first
1:37 of the game. The early barrage sent the NLL's top
netminder, Bob Watson to the bench after allowing 4 goals on
five shots.<br><br>The second quarter saw both squads
trade quality scoring chances. Crosbie scored his
second of the game and the only tally of the period to
give Rochester a 5-2 halftime lead. <br><br>The second
half started as the game began with the K'hawks
scoring two quick goals from Grant and Cory Bomberry.
With that, the Knighthawks saw themselves with a 9-3
lead entering the final frame. <br><br>The Rock
crawled back, as Kaleb Toth and Steve Toll scored two
straight goals to cut the Rochester lead to five. Toronto
could not get any closer as K'Hawk goaltender Pat
O'Toole shut down the Rock attack. O' Toole, the game MVP
finished the game with 52 saves.<br><br>Crosbie ended the
game with a career-high three goals and one assist.
Grant also finished with three goals and one assist.
Forward Brad MacArthur also added three assists for
Rochester.<br><br>The Rock were led by Toth, who collected five points
on two goals and three assists (2+3=5) Forward Kim
Squire scored two goals and picked up two assists.
Rookie Anthony Cosmo made 32 saves in goal for Toronto.
<br><br>The Rock came into Rochester with an 0-3 all-time
record at the Blue Cross Arena. The Knighthawks closed
the doors last season at Maple Leaf Gardens after
their second-straight loss in the NLL Championship and
an 0-4 overall record at the historic
venue.<br><br><a
href=http://www.nationallacrosse.com/games/february/0217Tor-Roc.htm
target=new>http://www.nationallacrosse.com/games/february/0217Tor-Roc.htm</a>