NLL Rochester Knighthawks

Knighthawks' Duo Wins Another Cup

Published on September 19, 2012 under National Lacrosse League (NLL)
Rochester Knighthawks News Release


On Saturday, September 15th, two members of the 2012 World Champion Rochester Knighthawks helped guide their hometown club to yet another box lacrosse title.

Brad Self and Cory Vitarelli, both from Peterborough, Ontario, won the 2012 Mann Cup with the Peterborough Lakers of the Major Series Lacrosse, defeating the Langley Thunder 14-8 in Game 6 to capture the best-of-seven series.

"It feels pretty great, obviously. To win with Rochester first and just to have the chance to do it in the summer with Peterborough, and to actually win it, was pretty special," said Vitarelli.

"I kind of grew up watching 'Selfer' play because he is a bit older than me, but I have always looked up to him. We definitely enjoyed ourselves. It's not an everyday opportunity to win it with the same guys, but to do it with Brad was pretty nice," said Vitarelli.

The Thunder, champions of the Western Lacrosse Association, lost last year's Mann Cup to the Brampton Excelsiors, who are coached by Rochester Head Coach Mike Hasen. This year, they jumped out to a two-game lead. After a 13-12 win in the opening game, Langley took Game 2 in overtime by a final of 15-14.

The Lakers countered by taking four straight games to win the series.

"There's kind of a funny saying with our team. We like to do things the hard way. We sort of put ourselves behind the eight ball there early on," said Vitarelli.

In the decisive Game 6, Langley took an early 5-2 lead. However, Peterborough went on a nine-goal run that spanned the end of the first period until early in the third. In the second period, the Lakers scored six goals while retired Buffalo Bandits goaltender and Mann Cup MVP Mike Thompson held the Thunder scoreless on their 17 shots attempts.

Vitarelli's first goal, a beautiful behind-the-back shot, found the back of the net in the second period, tying the game at five. Self's only tally of the game was the eventual game-winner, giving the Lakers a 9-5 lead at the end of the second period.

Winning it all this year will sure help the Lakers forget last season's woes. It was Hasen's Excelsiors who eliminated Peterborough in the 2011 MSL Championship Series.

"We weren't happy with losing last year and it didn't sit well with our team. We have a very talented group that hates to lose and loves to win with one another," said Self.

The 2012 Mann Cup is the Lakers' fifth since 2004. Self, who spent five years from 2006 to 2011 playing professional hockey in Germany before returning to the NLL last season, was also part of the 2004 title team, and the 2005 runners-up before leaving for Europe.

Not only did Self lead all Rochester defensemen in points this year, he did the same for Peterborough. He finished the MSL regular season fifth on the team with 27 points (16+11). He added 32 points (16+16) in the playoffs and Mann Cup.

"It was just as sweet as the first one I won back in 2004. I missed that winning feeling when I went away to play hockey and read about all the Mann Cups Peterborough kept winning," said Self.

"I'm just happy I was able to come back and be a part of it and win with my brother and friends in front of my family and friends."

For Vitarelli, whose Knighthawks' debut was also delayed because of his hockey career at the University of Prince Edward Island, this Mann Cup was the third of his career with the Lakers. The 2012 Knighthawks' Unsung Hero Award winner finished second on the Lakers with nine goals in the Mann Cup series.

The Vitarelli family has a rich lacrosse tradition and some history with the Mann Cup. Cory's great uncle D.A. "Dootch" Vitarelli won three consecutive Mann Cups with the Peterborough Timbermen in the early 1950s. Cory's father, Mark Vitarelli, was the head coach of the 1984 Mann Cup champion Lakers.

"It's nice. It makes me feel proud. Any time you can sort of win something that has a history with the family is definitely nice to do. I'm proud to be able to do it," said Vitarelli.

Former Knighthawks Scott and Shawn Evans and John Grant, Jr. also helped deny Langley it's first-ever Mann Cup. Shawn Evans led the team with seven points (1+6) in Game 6, while his brother Scott netted back-to-back goals in the pivotal second period. Grant had a game-high four goals, and led the team with 16 in the six games.

"It's a great opportunity for me to play in Peterborough and have a chance to play with guys like him (Junior) and the Evans', who were in Rochester, too. Anyone who plays here is fortunate because there's so much wealth of knowledge with the game of lacrosse," said Vitarelli.

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