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NLL Rochester Knighthawks

Knighthawks Host Calgary on Hall of Fame Night

February 27, 2015 - National Lacrosse League (NLL)
Rochester Knighthawks News Release


The last time the Rochester Knighthawks hosted the Calgary Roughnecks, it produced one of the most exciting nights of lacrosse in franchise history. Rochester captured Game Two of the National Lacrosse League Championship Series and won its league-record third straight Champion's Cup by rallying for a 3-2 win in the decisive 10-minute mini-game.

On Saturday, February 28th, the same two teams will meet for the first time since that historic night back on May 31st. The 7:30 p.m. contest, presented by Ricoh, is the first of a home-and-home series between Rochester and Calgary. It will be a festive evening at Connors & Ferris Field at The Blue Cross Arena as over 20 former Knighthawks welcome Casey Zaph into the team's Hall of Fame.

"It's going to be amazing," said Zaph, who was a member of the Knighthawks from 1999-2005. "Being back in Rochester will be pretty cool."

"He's what this team was based on. He was a blue-collar guy who was a very good person off the field," said Knighthawks Assistant Coach Paul Day. "He was a smart player, extremely physical and would do whatever it took to win. That's the type of player he was from the day he came in, to the day he left."

The Knighthawks will also hold their annual Men's Health Night to benefit the Urology Associates of Rochester. The team will wear special blue jerseys, which the Knighthawks will auction off to raise money for Zero - The Project to End Prostate Cancer and The Lipson Cancer Center at Rochester General. The contest will be broadcast online on NLL LIVE in the US and on TSN.ca in Canada. The radio broadcast is available on 105.5 The Team and online on theteam.fm.

Rochester (5-3) enters the game in second place in the East Division after winning five of their last six games. Calgary (1-6) sits in fourth place in the West Division after earning its first win of the season last Saturday, notching a 16-13 victory over Vancouver. Rochester and Calgary have split the all-time series with four wins apiece, while the Knighthawks own a 3-1 record against the Roughnecks at home. Records aside, it should be a typical East-West battle Saturday night.

"They're a team you don't want to underestimate, regardless of their record," said Rochester defenseman Jon Sullivan. "They're definitely a team we aren't looking past. We need to be ready to play."

Rochester comes into the game after extending its winning streak to three games after rallying in the second half to defeat the rival Buffalo Bandits 13-12 in overtime. Cody Jamieson scored the game-winner at 3:02 of overtime. Jamieson's four-goal, one-assist night moved him into sixth place on the team's all-time goal-scoring list (145). Joe Walters collected a career-high six assists, while Craig Point (2+3) and Jordan Hall (0+5) each chipped in five points apiece. Cory Vitarelli also contributed with three goals and one assist.

"We're a veteran team and we pride ourselves on never getting too high or too low and staying the course," said Vitarelli. "We did that and it worked out for us."

After eight games, Jamieson is sixth in the NLL in assists (29) and is tied for sixth with 46 points. Dan Dawson, who had three points against Buffalo, is tied for fourth in assists (30) and is ninth in points (41). Defensively, Matt Vinc is among the top goaltenders in the NLL. The four-time NLL Goalie of the Year is second in saves (297), fourth in goals-against average (10.93) and tied for fourth in save percentage (.777).

In two weeks, Rochester will hit the road to battle the Roughnecks on Saturday, March 14th at 9:00 p.m. at the Scotiabank Saddledome. The Knighthawks will return home on Saturday, March 28th to host the Edmonton Rush at 7:30 p.m. at The Blue Cross Arena. The Knighthawks will hold their annual Native American Night, which will include an appearance by a traditional stick maker, Native American dances, artisans and much more.

Kids under 12 and college students (with a valid school ID) can attend the game for just $15. To purchase, go to The Blue Cross Arena Box Office, the Knighthawks Office or online at www.ticketmaster.com. Military members (active and veterans) can also show their ID to receive $10 off at The Box Office. For more information, please call the Knighthawks Office at (585) 454-HAWK (4295).

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