Officials Rhinos' motive to open in Toronto

By Jeff DiVeronica
Democrat and Chronicle

(September 22, 2000) -- As the lower seed in their last playoff series, the No. 4 Rhinos didn't have the choice of which game they played in Rochester.

But as the higher seed in this weekend's A-League Eastern Conference Finals, it was their decision to open at No. 7 Toronto in the two-game, total-goal series and then play Game 2 Sunday at Frontier Field.

The strategy behind that decision in this unconventional playoff system?

"We didn't want Toronto to have the last game (at home) knowing what they had to accomplish," coach Pat Ercoli said.

Translation: The Rhinos didn't want any controversial calls by Canadian officials, who they've disagreed with in going 0-1-2 in Toronto, to decide their fate.

"We have to keep ourselves out of those positions" where calls can hurt, forward Dan Stebbins said. So the mission in Game 1 tonight is to win, but also to escape with as little damage as possible, then score as many times as needed on Sunday to clinch the series and third straight trip to the league title match.

The good news for Rhinos fans: Gerry Proctor, who is from Vancouver, is the referee -- not the official who awarded Toronto two penalty kicks in a 3-2 Lynx win on Aug. 13.

The bad news: Proctor gave Vancouver a penalty kick in the Rhinos' 1-0 loss on July 7 in Vancouver. "The officiating here has been brutal at times," Toronto coach Peter Pinizzotto said. "I think the only time we got a couple of breaks was that (Aug. 13) game with Rochester."

The Rhinos have won a season-high six straight and have a lot more playoff experience. Tonight also will be the first time Stebbins and Onandi Lowe -- the forwards who along with Yari Allnutt have sparked the attack -- have faced Toronto together.

Previously in Toronto, Rochester has missed chances or been stopped by goalie Theo Zagar.

"We've even had a few missed sitters, but the way we've played lately that won't happen," midfielder Lenin Steenkamp said.