You can bet the Toronto Rock's faceoff men were smiling last week when they heard Colorado Mammoth faceoff specialist Jamie Hanford would not be accompanying the team because he was grounded in a fierce storm.

Hanford had taken all but seven of the Mammoth's 280 draws, and his 65.6 percentage ranked third in the league.

What Toronto, and perhaps Colorado, didn't know was that another capable faceoff specialist had been accompanying the Mammoth in street clothes all season. Given the opportunity to suit up for his first National Lacrosse League game, Scott Davidson had a Hanford-like performance.

The former University of Denver transition player went 19- for-29 in the faceoff circle in Colorado's 13-12 overtime win against the Rock. That worked out to a 65.5 percentage, or 0.1 less than Hanford's efficiency.

"The reason he's on our roster is, he's done a great job in training camp and at practice challenging Jamie on the draws," Mammoth coach Gary Gait said. "I was happy for him, because I think he was a little nervous going into the game."

Davidson might again be designated as inactive tonight when the Mammoth (10-1) faces the Buffalo Bandits (5:30 MDT, Altitude) in Buffalo, N.Y., but he has given Gait something to consider.

"It's good to know we have something in reserve like that in case something happens to Jamie," Gait said.

CAREY IN THE CLUTCH: Mammoth forward Dan Carey scored the overtime winner against Toronto, marking the second time this season the second-year player has scored in the sudden-death extra session.

He also did so Jan. 13 in an 11-10 home win against Buffalo. Carey, who attended Buffalo-based Canisius College, will be making his first return trip to the city since the Mammoth beat the Bandits in the Champion's Cup last season.

STILL STREAKING: The Mammoth has continued to roll since the 16-9 title-clinching win in May and has won 18 of 20 games dating to last season.

The Mammoth was stumbling along at 5-5 before closing the season with eight wins in its final nine games, including the playoffs.

Buffalo, 7-4 and in second place in the East Division, is eager for a rematch.

"You want to be the best you've got to beat the best," Bandits coach Darris Kilgour said. "And Colorado is definitely the best team in the league this season."

ETC.: Mammoth defenseman John Gallant, who suffered a hamstring injury against Toronto, was termed by Gait as day to day. . . . Three Mammoth players are among the league's top 15 scorers. Carey entered Friday tied for seventh, with 59 points (27 goals and 32 assists) and forward Gavin Prout was tied for ninth, with 58 points (18 goals, 40 assists). Forward Brian Langtry, who scored five goals against Toronto, moved up to a 14th- place tie (24 goals, 30 assists). . . . Goaltender Gee Nash ranks second in goals-against average (10.32) and, with an 8-0 record, is the only starting goaltender in the league without a loss. . . Often active in the past around the trade deadline, Colorado did not make a deal before the deadline this year passed Tuesday.