Hot lacrosse action in Maple Leaf Gardens

Page 26

Maple Leaf Gardens may not be the home of the Toronto Maple Leafs anymore but a new tenant, the Toronto Rock of the National Lacrosse League, is making sure fans are still lining up for exciting action at this hallowed hall of sports.

More than 9,000 fans filled the stands to see the Toronto Rock roll over the New York Saints 13-9 on Feb. 26.

It didn't look good early on for the Rock as the Saints scored three quick goals in the first quarter before the Rock were able to respond with one of their own. Toronto couldn't capitalize on their early opportunities while the Saints seemingly scored at will. Before the first quarter was over, the home team was trailing 4-1.

But the Rock fought back and shifted the momentum of the game by scoring two quick goals to make it 4-3. In the middle of the second quarter, the Rock thought they had tied the game on a spectacular short-handed effort by Dan Stroup. His diving shot trickled between the legs of the Saints goalkeeper, Sam LoCascio and bounced on the goal line. Even though he didn't score, Stroup drew a New York penalty on the play nullifying the Saints power play.

The game ground on, with plenty of scoring opportunities for both teams, but no one was able to put the ball past either goalie. The Rock's dominating play forced the Saints to take some careless penalties, giving them a five-on-three advantage at one point. The Rock, however, just couldn't finish up any of their set plays with a goal.

Dean Harrison managed to tie the game with a drifting shot that popped between the legs of LoCascio with 3:30 left in the second quarter, and the momentum was clearly going Toronto's way by the halftime break.

If nothing could go right for the Rock at the beginning of the first quarter, nothing could go wrong for them at the beginning of the third quarter as they turned their momentum into an avalanche. Six Nations' Kim Squires got it rolling with a quick snap shot from the top of the crease that somehow got between the legs and under the stick of LoCascio early in the third. Then the Rock scored two more, increasing their lead to 7-4, before the Saints finally ended their 33-minute drought and got one back for themselves.

But just a minute later the Rock's Chris Gill fired a long, low screen shot through a crowd that completely fooled LoCascio. The Rock were completely in charge and increased their lead by five goals, leading 11-6 at the middle of the fourth quarter. But Saints weren't giving up the ghost just yet, and pulled within striking distance after two quick goals. Sensing that the wind was now on their side, the Saints pulled LoCascio for the extra attacker. It was a tactic that backfired as Kim Squires brother Rod scooped up a loose ball in front of the empty Saints net and sealed their fate with a flick of his wrist. The Rock pocketed another one before the Saints scored the final goal of the game. Bob Watson, the Rock's goalie, made 38 saves during the game. The Rock improved their overall record to 4-2, with a perfect 4-0 at the Gardens.