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NLL Rochester Knighthawks

Knighthawks and Stealth Take Flight Tonight

February 18, 2012 - National Lacrosse League (NLL)
Rochester Knighthawks News Release


(Rochester, February 18)... The Rochester Knighthawks will host the Washington Stealth at 7:30 p.m. tonight at The Blue Cross Arena. The first 5,000 fans will receive a Knighthawks wall decal. Before the game, the team will induct defensemen Regy Thorpe and Pat Cougevan into the Knighthawks' Hall of Fame. The game will be broadcast live on Sportsradio 950 ESPN and www.sportsradio950espn.com.

The Knighthawks will have a moment of silence for 12-year-old Tyler Kopp who passed away on February 7 th from injuries sustained in a lacrosse game. The team will also wear his initials "TK" and his No. 9 on their helmets for the remainder of the season.

The contest marks the first ever trip to Rochester for the Washington Stealth. Rochester is 1-1 against the Stealth, which includes an 18-10 win in Everett, Wash., on April 16, 2011.

The Knighthawks (2-4) enter the game tied for third place in the East Division. Rochester dropped a 9-6 decision to the Minnesota Swarm last Sunday at the Xcel Energy Center. The win broke a five-game losing streak against the Knighthawks. Rochester was driven by Cody Jamieson (2+0), Johnny Powless (2+1) and Mike Accursi (0+2). Brad Self extended his team-best six-game assist streak. Last game, Mike Accursi moved into sole possession of eighth place on the team's all-time point list (285). He is also two assists away from taking over sixth place in assists (178). Goalie Matt Vinc is sixth in the NLL with an 11.95 goals-against average.

The Knighthawks moved defenseman Jamie Batson to the active roster and signed six-year veteran defenseman Joe Smith. The Knighthawks activated defenseman Ryan Cousins and forward Craig Point. Cousins was acquired by the Knighthawks in an offseason trade with the Edmonton Rush. He served as Minnesota's team captain since its inception and was named the NLL Defensive Player of the Year and a First Team All-Pro selection in both 2007 and 2008. In 10 seasons with Minnesota, Arizona and Washington, Cousins has posted 78 points (31+47) with 172 loose balls. Point enters his fifth season in the NLL and fourth with the Knighthawks. In 2011, he was fourth on the team with 47 points and third with 27 assists. He had a career season in 2010, scoring a career-best 31 goals to finish second on the team.

Washington enters the game in fifth place in the West Division with a 1-4 record. The Stealth have advanced to the past two NLL Championships Games and won the Champion's Cup in 2010. Washington pulled a blockbuster trade this week, acquiring 2008 NLL MVP Athan Iannucci from Edmonton. Iannucci, 29, has registered 153 goals in 54 games, including a NLL record 71 goals in 2008. The Stealth lost their last game, 12-11 to the Calgary Roughnecks on February 10 th . Rhys Duch and Lewis Ratcliff lead the offense with 27 and 22 points respectively.

The Knighthawks will travel to play the Toronto Rock on Friday, February 24 th at the Air Canada Centre at 7:00 p.m. The game will be broadcast live on Sportsradio 950 ESPN and www.sportsradio950espn.com .

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