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Grant, O'Toole and Merrill Honored

February 1, 2006 - National Lacrosse League (NLL) News Release


The Rochester Knighthawks improved to 4-1 and took control of the East Division with two wins in Week Five, behind strong performances from two of its veteran stars. Forward John Grant Jr. combined for 17 points on 11 goals and six assists and Goaltender Pat O'Toole totaled 78 saves and allowed 19 goals in Rochester's wins over Buffalo and Minnesota in Week Five. For their performances Grant was honored with the Week Five Overall and Offensive Player of the Week honors while O'Toole took home Defensive Player of the Week honors. The Rookie of the Week honors again goes to Portland LumberJax defenseman Brodie Merrill, who earns the award for the second straight week. Merrill scored one goal and added four assists for a total of five points and collected twenty-seven loose balls in two games in Week Five.

Rochester Knighthawks forward John Grant Jr. was named the Overall and Offensive Player of the Week for his performance in two Knighthawks wins in Week Five. Grant scored five goals and added four assists for nine points in an 11-10 overtime victory on Saturday at home against the Buffalo Bandits. Grant scored the overtime game-winning goal and scooped up three loose balls in the win. On Sunday Grant scored six goals, including the game-winning goal, and added two assists for eight points in a 10-9 road win over the Minnesota Swarm. He also collected six loose balls in the contest.

Knighthawks goaltender Pat O'Toole was named the Defensive Player of the Week for Week Five. O'Toole recorded 44 saves, allowed ten goals, and scooped up a loose ball in an 11-10 overtime home win against the Buffalo Bandits on Saturday. On Sunday O'Toole recorded 34 saves and allowed nine goals in a 10-9 road win over the Minnesota Swarm.

Portland LumberJax defenseman Brodie Merrill brings home his second consecutive Rookie of the Week Honors after a strong performance in two games in Week Five. Merrill recorded two assists and collected 14 loose balls in a 15-8 road win over the San Jose Stealth on Friday. On Saturday Merrill added a goal and two assists for three points, and scooped up 13 loose balls in a 12-8 home loss to the Calgary Roughnecks.

Week Five Game Results

Friday, January 27

Edmonton at Toronto (14-8 TOR)

Calgary at Arizona (11-10 OT ARZ)

Portland at San Jose (15-8 POR)

Saturday, January 28

Buffalo at Rochester (11-10 OT ROC)

Calgary at Portland (12-8 CAL)

Sunday, January 29

Rochester at Minnesota (10-9 ROC)

Week Five Award Winners

OVERALL & OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK

John Grant (Rochester) - (2GP, 11G, 6A, 17Pts, 13 LB) scored eleven goals including the game tying and game winning goals in each contest, one in OT. Grant also added six assists and collected thirteen loose balls in wins against Buffalo and at Minnesota, 11-10 OT and 10-9, respectively.

DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK

Pat O'Toole (Rochester) - (2GP, 78 saves, 19GA) had 78 saves and allowed nineteen goals in wins over Buffalo and at Minnesota, 11-10 OT and 10-9 respectively.

ROOKIE PLAYER OF THE WEEK

Brodie Merrill (Portland) - (2GP, 1G, 4A, 5Pts, 27LB) scored one goal and added four assists for a total of five points and also collected twenty-seven loose balls in two games: a 15-8 win at San Jose and a 12-8 loss to Calgary.

The Weekly Player Awards are determined by a vote of the General Managers & Head Coaches of the league's eleven member clubs.

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