Kaleb Toth fired three goals and Jim Veltman added four assists as the Toronto Rock banged out a crucial 14-10 victory over the Pittsburgh CrosseFire before an announced crowd of 15,050 Friday night at Maple Leaf Gardens.

Paul Gait scored four highlight-reel goals for Pittsburgh, including an amazing outside shot from behind his own shoulder. But a smothering Toronto defense shut down the rest of the CrosseFire, allowing the Rock to run their record to 7-3, good for a first-place tie with the Buffalo Bandits with only two games left to play in the NLL regular season.

The teams traded goals in a fast-paced, entertaining 4-4 first period. Toth capped it with just one second to go, snaring a low rebound at the top of the crease, raising his stick high and firing down over the shoulder of Pittsburgh goalie Devin Dalep.

Paul Gait opened the second quarter with a great scoring run through the holds and slashes of the Rock defense. Kim Squire quickly got that one back, firing his first goal since breaking his ankle way back in Toronto's home opener. The game was tied 6-6 when Chris Gill scored the Rock's goal of the night, on a superb, fully extended leap over the CrosseFire goal crease. 7-6 Toronto at the half.

Two minutes into the second half, Pittsburgh tied the game for what turned out to be the final time. It was Paul Gait again, charging through the entire Rock team, getting his helmet knocked off and scoring anyway. But then Squire struck again on a screened outside bouncer, and the Rock were off to the races. Consecutive goals by Glenn Clark, Steve Toll and Kaleb Toth put the defending champs up 11-7 after three.

The fourth quarter was a 3-3 saw-off. The best goal was again started by Paul Gait, who drew a triple team of Toronto defenders, and then offered up a delicious underhand flip pass to Matt Shearer, who spotted Jesse Hubbard in perfect position to score. The refs rewarded Gait's effort by jobbing the superstar out of an assist on the play. Oh well.

Pittsburgh now sit 6-5, urgently needing a win over Syracuse to keep them afloat in an incredibly tight six-team race for only four playoff spots. Toronto finishes at home against Albany and at Syracuse, and look very good for at least one home game when the postseason starts.

BOX SUMMARY
                                  1  2  3  4     TOT
Pittsburgh CrosseFire (6-5)       4  2  1  3  --  10
Toronto Rock (7-3)                4  3  4  3  --  14

PITTSBURGH CROSSEFIRE         TORONTO ROCK
               G - A   PTS                   G - A   PTS
P Gait         4 - 0     4    Veltman        1 - 4     5
Hiltz          1 - 3     4    Toth           3 - 1     4
Fulks          2 - 1     3    Toll           2 - 2     4
Cantabene      1 - 1     2    G Clark        2 - 1     3
G Gait         1 - 1     2    Gill           2 - 1     3
Tapp           0 - 2     2    K Squire       2 - 1     3
Hubbard        1 - 0     1    Stroup         1 - 2     3
Doddridge      0 - 1     1    Doyle          1 - 1     2
Reese          0 - 1     1    Coyle          0 - 1     1

Shots on goal           43    Shots on goal           54
Saves made by           41    Saves made by           33
   Dalep                         Watson
Penalties                7    Penalties               10
Penalty Minutes         24    Penalty Minutes         20
Power Play Chances       9    Power Play Chances       5
Power Play Goals         3    Power Play Goals         4
Shorthanded Goals        1    Shorthanded Goals        3
Faceoffs Won            19    Faceoffs Won             9
   Cantabene    (10- 3)          Graham       ( 9-17)
   Tapp         ( 9- 6)          Toll         ( 0- 2)
Loose Balls             84    Loose Balls             76
   Cantabene         13          Veltman           18
   Dalep             11          Coyle             10
   Fulks              9          Gill               8

*** STATS OFFICIAL BY VERIFY WITH TORONTO ROCK ***