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NLL Rochester Knighthawks

Knighthawks Ready for Two

January 26, 2012 - National Lacrosse League (NLL)
Rochester Knighthawks News Release


(Rochester, January 26)... The Rochester Knighthawks will embark on one of the toughest weekends of the season, as they visit Toronto and Colorado on back-to-back nights. Rochester takes on the defending champion Rock on Friday, January 27th at Toronto 7:00 p.m. On Saturday, January 28th, the Knighthawks head to Denver to battle the Colorado Mammoth at 9:00 p.m. Both games will be broadcast live on Sportsradio 950 ESPN and www.sportsradio950espn.com. The game against Colorado will also be televised LIVE on Time Warner Cable Channel 98.

Head-to-Head: The game against the Rock is a rematch of the NLL East Division Semifinals, which Toronto won 10-8 en route to the NLL championship. The contest is the first of three games between the two teams. Rochester owns a 19-14 regular season mark against the Rock. On Saturday, the K-Hawks meet the Colorado Mammoth for the first time since the 2009 season. Rochester won that game, 12-8, on April 3rd to improve to 3-4 against the Mammoth. The game marks the first time John Grant Jr. will play against his former team. Grant was dealt to Colorado in a deal that brought Matt Vinc to Rochester.

Scouting the Knighthawks: Rochester suffered its first loss of the season last Saturday, dropping a 12-9 decision to the Buffalo Bandits. The Knighthawks were led by five points (3+2) from Cody Jamieson and four from Jordan Hall (1+3). Jamieson extended his goal-scoring (10), assist (8) and point streaks (18). Hall moved six points away from 200 in his pro career. Vinc made 36 saves on 48 shots. Jamieson enters the week tied for fifth in the NLL with 14 points, while Vinc is fourth with an 11.30 goals-against average. Stephen Keogh collected two goals and one assists to move into third in rookie points with nine in two games. Rookie Johnny Powless has four goals and three assists after his first two professional games. Veteran Chris Schiller is just two loose balls away from 700 in his career, which is fifth best all-time in Knighthawks history.

Knighthawks one of three: Rochester is one of three teams to play back-to-back games this weekend. Toronto and Buffalo also have two games this week. The Rock host Rochester Friday night and then travel to Calgary Saturday. The Bandits host Philadelphia Friday at First Niagara Center before visiting the Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul to play Minnesota Saturday.

We're Number 1: Did you know that the Rochester Knighthawks have three Number 1 overall picks on their roster? Jordan Hall was selected with the top pick in the 2007 Entry Draft by the New York Titans, while Sid Smith went No. 1 in 2009 and Cody Jamieson went first overall in 2010.

Scouting the Rock: The defending champs have stumbled out of the gates, losing back-to-back games to Calgary and Buffalo. Colin Doyle leads the club with eight points, while Garrett Billings is second with seven. Goalie Matt Roik is fifth in the NLL with a 12.50 goals-against average. The Rock recently signed forward Brenden Thenhaus after moving Blaine Manning to the Injured Reserve List with a broken collarbone he sustained in the loss to Buffalo. Thenhaus enjoyed his best pro season in 2009, registering 53 points with the Boston Blazers. In five seasons, he has also played for Edmonton, Philadelphia and Buffalo.

Scouting the Mammoth: Colorado enjoyed a two-win weekend, earning victories over West Division rivals Edmonton and Calgary. The Mammoth lead the division with a 3-0 record and are just two wins away from tying their best start in franchise history, set in 2008. The Mammoth boast the top three scorers in the NLL in John Grant Jr. (30), Adam Jones (20) and Gavin Prout (18). Grant, who leads the NLL in goals and assists, played in Rochester from 2000-10 and finished with one NLL title (2007) and the team records for goals and points. He became the fifth player in NLL history with 1,000 career points in a 13-12 overtime win over Calgary last Saturday.

Mammoth week earns two awards: Grant was named the NLL's Offensive Player of the Week for the second straight week after recording nine goals and 10 assists in two wins. Meanwhile, Jones earned Rookie of the Week honors after recording five goals and three assists on the weekend.

Colorado to honor Gait: On Saturday, Colorado will honor its All-Decade Team at halftime. Former Knighthawk Gary Gait will be among the players recognized. He spent three seasons in Denver as a player and two as the head coach. He amassed 149 goals and 121 assists. As a coach, he led the Mammoth to two playoff appearances and their lone NLL title in 2006.

Next Home Game: On Saturday, February 4th, the Knighthawks will host the Minnesota Swarm at 7:30 p.m. The first 3,000 fans will take home a Chris Schiller bobblehead. The Urology Associates of Rochester will hold their annual Men's Health Night. Fans can bid on special game-worn jerseys on www.gobuyrochester.com.

Hall of Fame Night: On Saturday, February 18th, the Knighthawks will induct defensemen Regy Thorpe and Pat Cougevan into the team's Hall of Fame. That evening, the K-Hawks will host the Washington Stealth at 7:30 p.m.

Radio Show: Tune into the "No Limits Lacrosse" Show at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, January 28th to listen to interviews with K-Hawks VP of Player Personnel Jody Gage, and players Joel White and Joe Walters. The show will air on Sportsradio 950 ESPN and www.sportsradio950espn.com.

Knighthawks' Milestone Watch

Mike Accursi: Nine away from sixth place on the Knighthawks all-time assist list with 171

Jordan Hall:10 assists from 200 in his pro career

Pat McCready:Two goals away from 50 as a Knighthawk

Chris Schiller:Two loose balls away from 700 in his career; one goal away from 50 in his career

Check out the Rochester Knighthawks Statistics

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National Lacrosse League Stories from January 26, 2012


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