After being named the national player of the year in college lacrosse, John Grant took his game back indoors, where he had learned his trade. Now, the National Lacrosse League rookie of the year hopes to conclude his first pro season with a championship.

Grant's Rochester Knighthawks (8-4) travel to Maple Leaf Gardens to face the defending champion Toronto Rock (9-3) on Saturday. The Rock beat Rochester 13-10 in last year's title game.

Grant, who led Delaware to the NCAA quarterfinals last year, wasted little time making an impact with the Knighthawks. The native of Peterborough, Ontario, grew up playing the indoor game and scored a franchise-record 77 points on 37 goals and 40 assists.

"He was a perfect fit," Knighthawks coach Paul Day says. "The guys who seem to do the best right away in our league are the ones that played box in Canada, then spent four years in the NCAA. With his passing ability, he makes everyone around him better."

"It took me awhile to adjust," Grant admits. "I might have picked up some bad habits from the field game that don't work in indoors."

Grant, like many of his teammates, is excited about playing for a championship in the historic venue. "I think every kid growing up in Ontario would love to play Maple Leaf Gardens," he says. "We were probably all hoping it would be hockey, but to go in there playing the sport I love will be a thrill."

Their task is difficult. Toronto is a rugged defensive team that will try to negate the Knighthawks' speed.

"We've struggled to score goals at times," Rock coach Les Bartley says. "But our defense has been solid all year, and lately we've been able to spread the scoring around."

Toronto's veteran captain Jim Veltman, the league's all-time leader in loose balls, will be playing in his sixth championship. "You just learn to anticipate where the ball is going and use your years of experience," he says.

Also featured: the league's top goalies, the Rock's Bob Watson and the Knighthawks' Pat O'Toole.