Knighthawks Defeat Sting To Capture NLL Champion's Cup
Published on May 12, 2007 under National Lacrosse League (NLL) News Release
The Rochester Knighthawks defeated the Arizona Sting, 13-11, in the 2007 NLL Championship presented by Edge Active Care at Jobing.com Arena on Saturday. John Grant was named Championship Game MVP with a three goal, five assist performance. The victory marks the first time Rochester has won the title since 1997. The Knighthawks never trailed in the game, holding a five-goal lead early in the fourth quarter before having to withstand a late Sting comeback.
Grant's goal 58 seconds into the fourth quarter appeared to be the beginning of the end for Arizona, giving Rochester an 11-6 lead. However, Arizona scored four straight to cut the score to 11-10. Craig Conn's goal, a diving rebound shot, capped the run with nine minutes remaining in regulation. With the crowd energized by the streak and Arizona pushing for more, Rochester's Luke Forget found Bill Greer, who scored on the ensuing faceoff to stop the bleeding.
Shawn Williams scored to put the Knighthawks back up by three, but Conn scored his fifth goal of the game only seconds later to cut the score to 13-11.
That's where Knighthawks star goalkeeper Pat O'Toole came in. O'Toole finished with 42 saves, including 11 in the fourth quarter, shutting out a powerful Sting offense playing with desperation.
"He's the best goalie I've ever seen," said MVP John Grant. "I'm proud to be on this team. This has been a different year for us."
Shawn Williams and Mike Accursi each joined Grant with hat-tricks, while Stephen Hoar, Bill Greer, Chris Schiller and Steve Toll each added singles. Scott and Shawn Evans were each held scoreless.
"This one was tough," said Sting captain Peter Lough. "We battled hard but they executed really well."
The game was tight early, with Rochester scoring the first two goals of the game, and Arizona notching it at two apiece early in the second quarter. The Knighthawks then opened the floodgates, taking the lead for good with five straight goals in a 6-minute span.
Williams capitalized on the Knighthawks first power-play of the game with a wide open shot on the crease, and Accursi followed it up with a quick outside shot. Moments later, Chris Schiller scored on a two-on-none break, making a beautiful fake-pass to teammate Sandy Chapman to knock Sting goaltender Rob Blasdell off balance. Grant would follow it with another power-play goal on an outside shot, and Stephen Hoar capped the run with a goal off the faceoff only 11 seconds later, forcing Arizona to take a timeout.
The Sting responded with two late goals, and a successful penalty kill to end the half, with the game in striking distance at 7-4.
After the teams traded goals to start the third quarter, Grant and Steve Toll scored back-to-back to re-establish Rochester's five-goal lead. Grant's goal came on a quick shot to the near corner, catching Blasdell off guard, while Toll, the league's Transition Player of the Year, scored shorthanded after a wide Sting shot off the boards led to a breakaway.
The teams continued to trade goals until the fourth quarter, setting the stage for Arizona's attempted comeback.
Conn finished with five goals and three assists to lead the Sting. Peter Veltman scored two goals, while four others added singles, including Sting leading scorer Dan Dawson. Dawson did chip in with seven assists, but holding him to only one goal was certainly a major accomplishment for the Knighthawks defense. Derek Malawsky finished with six assists as well. Blasdell made 48 saves in the loss.
National Lacrosse League Stories from May 12, 2007
- Knighthawks win NLL Championship - Arizona Sting
- Knighthawks Defeat Sting To Capture NLL Champion's Cup - NLL
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