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Rochester Knighthawks

Knighthawks Can Lock up Home Playoff Game

April 15, 2015 - National Lacrosse League (NLL)
Rochester Knighthawks News Release


Rochester Knighthawks Huddle
Rochester Knighthawks Huddle
(Rochester Knighthawks)

With a playoff berth secured, the Rochester Knighthawks are now focused on locking up a home playoff game. The three-time defending National Lacrosse League champions can accomplish that goal with one win this weekend.

"Goal One is accomplished," said Knighthawks head coach Mike Hasen. "Now, on to the next one."

Rochester, who improved to 10-4 with a win over Colorado Saturday, will conclude their home-and-home series with the Mammoth on Friday, April 17th. The game is a 9:00 p.m. faceoff at Pepsi Center. The following night, the Knighthawks will travel to Langley, BC to battle the Vancouver Stealth at 10:00 p.m.

Rochester enters the game in second place in the East Division after winning its last three games. Last Saturday, the Knighthawks defeated Colorado 14-5 to move within one game of the first-place Toronto Rock. Rochester used goals by 10 different players and tied its season high with 10 goals in the first half to improve to 6-2 at home this season. One of those goals featured a feed from Paul Dawson and a finish by Dan Dawson.

"I thought I missed one in Toronto and my dad gave me some heck," said Dan with a smile. "He told me not to miss a pass from my baby brother. I made up for that Saturday night."

Dan Dawson led the way with one goal and five assists en route to becoming only the seventh player in NLL history to reach 1,100 career points. He can reach another milestone with six more assists, as he will join only five other players in league history to hit the 700-assist plateau. Cody Jamieson, who notched one goal and one assist, needed just 22 seconds to record his 400th career point, assisting on Sid Smith's goal to open the game. Stephen Keogh also scored a season-high four goals, while Craig Point recorded two goals and two assists.

"It feels good. My shots were falling tonight. Offensively, it can be anyone's night on our team. We have so many good options," said Keogh. "But hats off to our defense for only letting in five goals. They played another great game."

Matt Vinc made 29 saves and faced a season-low 34 shots to pick up his ninth win of the season. Over the last three games, the Knighthawks have yielded only 14 goals which is an average of 4.67 goals-against per game. Vinc leads the NLL with an .808 save percentage and is second with a 9.44 goals-against average and 540 saves. The win Saturday helped Rochester earn its fifth straight berth in the Champion's Cup Playoffs. But the team knows there is still more work to be done.

"It great, but we want to get home floor advantage for the entire playoffs. We're trying to get that top spot," said Vinc. "We just want to be playing good lacrosse going into the playoffs."

Fans can watch Friday's game on Altitude Sports and online on ESPN via WatchESPN (espn.com) in the U.S . Saturday's contest is on NLL LIVE in the U.S. Both games will be carried live in Canada on TSN.ca. The radio broadcasts will be available on 105.5 The Team and online at theteam.fm.

The Knighthawks will play their regular season home finale on Saturday, April 25th when they host the New England Black Wolves at 7:30 p.m. at Connors & Ferris Field at The Blue Cross Arena. The Knighthawks will honor our men and women in uniform on Military Appreciation Night. Stay tuned for ticket and merchandise discounts for military members (active and veterans). Fans can also come early to enjoy the Pregame Happy Hour with live music from Open G and $2 drafts. Following the game, the Knighthawks will hand out their 2015 Season Awards.

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Rochester Knighthawks Huddle
Rochester Knighthawks Huddle
   

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