The following is a collection of quotes from before and after the 2003 NLL Champion's Cup Final, held Saturday night at the Blue Cross Arena. The Toronto Rock won, 8-6, defeating the host Rochester Knighthawks for its fourth title in five years.

Sources: Canadian Press, Rochester Democrat & Chronicle, and Toronto Sun.

LES BARTLEY

• To shut down one of the most offensively talented teams in the league requires more than just a goalie... All the guys on the back end played great lacrosse. (CP)
• Steve Toll is a game-breaking player. (CP)
• That (speed) is what Steve Toll brings to a tea... We talked to him prior to the game ... because we thought he had to be a game-breaker. (Toronto Sun)
• [on goal right before half, for 6-4 lead] We work on that stuff all year long... We scored on an identical play the last time we played Rochester. (CP)
• We'd played games in Rochester than hadn't meant as much as this, and we came to play one today. We might have been a little short on offence but our goaltender, defense and transitional game got the job done. (CP)

PAT COYLE

• [on BCA jinx... said before game] It's small and the fans are close to you, and Rochester plays different at home. They seem to have more confidence at home. (CP)
• [said before game] I like our team ... It never ceases to amaze me -- the character our team shows... It's a real testament to the veterans, and a lot of credit should go to our coaching staff. Everybody is on the same page. I think we have a good chance. (CP)

PAUL DAY

• [on falling behind 5-0] We knew at that point we were going to have to claw our way back and that it was going to be tough. (D&C)
• That goal at the end of the half on the 6-on-5, that's always a backbreaker ... And then they scored the first goal of the third quarter. (D&C)
• That's why Toronto has been so successful, they've been the best defensive team the last five years and that's why they have four Cups... We're proud of the year we had, but we got beat by the better team tonight. (D&C)
• We were 2-for-11 [2-for-9, actually] on the power play ... That should be one of our strengths and it wasn't tonight. (D&C)
• Our offence just wasn't there tonight ... I think that's why Toronto has been so successful -- it's because of their defense. (CP)

STEVE DONNER

• I was after the MILL to expand or change their playoff format to allow teams to host playoff games that earned the right to host games and they said no, they wanted to stick to their attendance format... So they were telling me basically, Rochester will never host a final. I said I can't do it, I can't be part of a league where I don't have a chance. I can't look my players and the fans in the eye and say we don't have a chance to host a final. (D&C)

COLIN DOYLE

• Nobody comes before the team ... That's really beat into us. The leaders that were here from Day 1 brought that winning attitude and winning experience... As a younger player, you had no choice but to buy into winning. You learn how to win. We have a winning experience and we'll use that to our advantage if there is one. (Toronto Sun)
• (Watson) answered a lot of questions and I'm awfully proud of him ... He has been the backbone of our team for six years and it's good to see him finally get the credit he deserves. He's the best goalie in the game and I think he proved that (last night). (Toronto Sun)
• We don't get a whole lot of personal awards, but we just keep putting rings on our fingers ... That may sound arrogant, but it's the bottom line. (Toronto Sun)
• It's amazing to see a group of guys come together like this year in and year out. (CP)

CHRIS DRISCOLL

• It's such a great feeling, I guess I have to thank New York for giving me the opportunity to come to Toronto to win a championship. It's special to win here [in Rochester] because they're such a great organization. I've never had anything bad to say about them. (D&C)
• I would definitely like to come back … It's a great situation for myself and my family (Driscoll, his wife and their two kids live in Guelph, Ontario). (Toronto Sun)

KEVIN FINNERAN

• [on retirement] I'm not worried (about next year) at all right now ... This year has been tremendous. I'm very happy with the decision I made (to come to Toronto) and I'm very grateful for the opportunity. (Toronto Sun)

JOHN GRANT

• [said before game] That (a championship) is what makes you a good player ... I don't think you can be considered a good player until you win a championship... That (non-champion) has kind of been my nickname. (Toronto Sun)

MIKE HASEN

• We had some mental errors and they capitalized and that's what championship teams do. (D&C)

DAN LADOUCEUR

• We never get tired of this feeling... Our theme this year was to defy the odds... A lot of people said we couldn't win this again. They doubted us. We proved everybody wrong. (CP)

PAT O'TOOLE

• It was great to have the fans behind us and they showed up tonight, the rink was packed, but as far as the players are concerned, it's the championship game and it doesn't matter where you play ... It takes a lot of hard work and you have to put it all on the line and the team that did that won tonight. (D&C)
• Bobby Watson played unbelievable today ... Our guys had a tough time getting in and when they did get in he made the big save. That shows on the scoreboard, only six goals; that's a great defensive effort. (D&C)

TIM SOUDAN

• [on scoring only six goals] It wasn't from a lack of effort on our part... We played hard, but sometimes you run into a goalie who's hotter than hell. (D&C)
• You have to tip your hat to him [Watson] and their defense ... They did a good job of pushing us out and not letting us get full velocity on a lot of shots. And when we did get good shots, he always found a way to get some part of his padding or body on the ball. (D&C)

JIM VELTMAN

• [before game] Every year, we seem to have some sort of big obstacle... Last year, it was having to go to Albany and win down there. The obstacle seems even bigger this year ... The obstacle is big again, but I think we'll rise up. That's what this team is all about. (Toronto Sun)
• You can call it a dynasty if you want but we won't yet because we're not finished yet ... We'll be back next year to go for another one. (CP)
• [on scoring twice in 3rd quarter] Sometimes when you're my age you get these bursts of energy you have to take advantage of. (CP)
• The whole coaching staff is unbelievable on this team ... We prepared for this game like you wouldn't believe. (Toronto Sun)
• [on 5-0 lead] We totally needed that (quick start) in this building ... We had to set the tone. (Toronto Sun)

BOB WATSON

• It's so sweet to come into a hostile building like this and win a championship. (D&C)
• Championship rings are what motivate me and motivate all of us ... This is a dynasty team. We come to the arena every day expecting to win. This team really does play for the crest on the front, not the name on the back. (D&C)
• It's not me; it's our whole team... My defense did a great job of pushing their shooters out and making them take shots they didn't want to take. (D&C)
• It's been a great rivalry through the years, and there have been times when we've been on the short side... That's a heck of a team over there, and they bring out the best in us. We've just managed to be a little bit better and a little bit luckier. I had three hit the post tonight. Had they not hit the post, you might not be talking to me. (D&C)
• [on BCA jinx] If we were going to pick a time to win here, we couldn't have picked a better night. (CP)
• We've been coming in here for five years and getting beat ... We set a goal at the beginning of the year to defy the odds. Everybody counted us out, but (this championship) is a testament to the character in the room. It's the best team I've ever been associated with. (Toronto Sun)
• I remember talking to Colin Doyle (after losing to Philly in 2001) about how we blew that opportunity and he said, 'If we win two more, we'll have another chance.' (Toronto Sun)

MISCELLANEOUS

• [sign seen at BCA] We'll take the cup. You keep the SARS.