NLL Rochester Knighthawks

Knighthawks Defending Their Home Turf

Published on March 23, 2012 under National Lacrosse League (NLL)
Rochester Knighthawks News Release


The Rochester Knighthawks will host the defending champion Toronto Rock on Saturday, March 24th at 7:30 p.m. at The Blue Cross Arena. The Knighthawks (5-5) lead the Rock (4-6) by one game for second place in the East Division. Both teams trail the first-place Philadelphia Wings. The first 5,000 fans will receive a Knighthawks winter hat. The game will be broadcast on Sportsradio 950 ESPN and www.sportsradio950espn.com.

Head-to-Head: The Knighthawks have lost seven straight games against the rival Toronto Rock, dating back to the 2010 season. The Knighthawks play the defending champion Rock for the third time this season. The Rock won the first meeting on January 27th, 13-11, and captured the second meeting 16-12 on February 24th. Rochester still leads the all-time series with a 19-16 record. Toronto ended its 15-game regular-season losing streak in Rochester last season by winning both games at The Blue Cross Arena.

Teddy Bear Auction: On Saturday, March 24th, fans can bid on bears made by the players at the home game and online, courtesy of GobuyRochester.com. The auction, to benefit CURE Childhood Cancer Association, ends at midnight on Monday, April 2nd. The minimum bid is $50 with additional bids accepted in $10 increments. Bids can be placed on the computers at the gobuyrochester.com tables in the upper atrium lobby starting at 6:15 p.m.

Home Sweet Home: Rochester has won its last three games at home this season, which has included wins over Minnesota, Washington and Buffalo. In the last contest, the Knighthawks defeated the Buffalo Bandits 13-10 on March 10th. The game on March 24th is the second of a season-high three-game homestand.

Scouting the Knighthawks: Rochester is riding its first winning streak of the season after stringing together wins over East Division foes Philadelphia and Buffalo. In the K-Hawks' last win, Matt Vinc made 48 saves, including 17 in the fourth quarter, en route to player of the game honors. Vinc is second in the NLL with 377 saves and fifth in goals-against average at 11.67. He got help in the form of Cody Jamieson (3+3), Johnny Powless (3+1) and Mike Accursi (0+6). Jamieson was fourth in the NLL in points with 56 and is tied for fourth with 25 goals. Accursi reached two milestones, hitting 300 points as a Knighthawk and 400 assists as a pro. Brad Self also extended his goal-scoring streak to six games. The Knighthawks have activated defenseman Travis Hill from the physically unable to perform list. Hill has four goals, two assists and 18 loose balls in five games this season. The Knighthawks also activated forward Tim O'Brien, and placed forward Joe Walters and defenseman Dylan Evans on the practice squad.

Scouting the Rock: Toronto fell into a third-place tie in the East Division after suffering its third straight loss Friday. The Rock lost 21-14 to the Buffalo Bandits, getting outscored 13-3 in the second half. Garrett Billings led the effort with three goals and six assists, while Colin Doyle scored five goals and added one assist. Billings is now third in points (63) and second in assists (46) in the NLL. In the last four games, he has 30 points (6+24). Billings has had two big games against the Knighthawks this season, hitting for nine points (1+8) on February 24th and connecting for seven (3+4) on January 27th. Josh Sanderson is tied for eighth in the NLL with 50 points (15+35).

Next Home Game: The Knighthawks will host the West-Division leading Colorado Mammoth on Saturday, March 31st at 1:05 p.m. at The Blue Cross Arena. The first 3,000 fans will receive Knighthawks light-up keychains. After the game, the Knighthawks will host Kids Fest at Total Sports Experience in Gates, starting at 4:00 p.m. Fans can meet the players, dance team and the mascot, R. Thunder. The event also features inflatables, laser tag, face painters and air brush tattoos from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m.

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National Lacrosse League Stories from March 23, 2012


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