NLL Rochester Knighthawks

Knighthawks Ready To 'Rock' In Toronto Tonight

Published on April 16, 2010 under National Lacrosse League (NLL)
Rochester Knighthawks News Release


(Rochester, April 16)... The Rochester Knighthawks battle the Toronto Rock tonight at 7:30 p.m. at the Air Canada Centre. The Rochester Knighthawks (7+7) can clinch a playoff spot with a win over Toronto or a Boston loss to Colorado and a Buffalo loss to Orlando. The Knighthawks can even secure a second-place finish, and a home playoff game, with a win and a loss by Boston and Buffalo. The game will be broadcast live on The Zone 94.1 FM and thezone941.com.

"It is the biggest game of the year. We put ourselves in this situation," said Rochester forward Craig Point. "We have to make sure we get a win to have a home playoff game. The mindset is to win and we all have to come to the rink with that same attitude."* * The Knighthawks enter the contest in a three-way tie for third place in the East Division. Rochester tied its season-high winning streak by earning its second straight win last Saturday. The K-Hawks' 15-12 victory over the Philadelphia Wings on April 10th was the second win in two days. On April 9th, Rochester edged the Minnesota Swarm, 12-11. In the two-game series, Shawn Williams recorded five goals and 10 assists en route to NLL Overall Player of the Week honors. Knighthawk Forward Craig Point tied a career-best by scoring his 27th goal on April 10th.

"You have to watch out for any team with John Grant Jr., Shawn Williams, and Gary Gait," said Rock GM and Assistant Coach Terry Sanderson in the team's latest press release. "If you see a left side coming at you like that, there is automatically so much respect from us."

Rochester leads the all-time series with a record of 19-10. The Knighthawks, however, are only 4-10 in Toronto, which includes a 17-3 loss on January 23rd. This season the teams have split the series with each club winning on its home turf. Knighthawk Steve Toll can appreciate the rivalry having played for both teams. He was with the Rock from 1998 to 2003-04 and helped the franchise win four championships. The veteran has been with Rochester since the 2005 season and guided the club to the 2007 title.

"I had a lot of great memories in Toronto and they treated me great, but I want to win for Rochester tonight," said Toll. "I want to beat them more than anyone."

The Rock (8-7) play their regular season finale on Friday night. Toronto can clinch a playoff berth with a win over Rochester or a Boston loss to Colorado or a Buffalo loss to Orlando. The Rock can lock up second place with a win and a Buffalo loss. Toronto is led by forward Colin Doyle, who is third in the NLL with 82 points (21+61). The Rock are second in the NLL with 182 goals and are the only team to have four players with 70-plus points. Two of those players are rookies Garrett Billings (33+47) and Stephan Leblanc (32+44). Billings (80 points) and Leblanc (76) are one and two among rookie point producers and are in the Top 10 in the NLL in points. Blaine Manning is also in the Top 10 in points with 76 (32+44). Goalie Bob Watson is third in the league with a 9.54 goals-against average. Additionally, the Rock own the league's best power-play, converting 51.7 percent of their chances (52 of 91). Toronto started the season 6-1, but has dropped six of its last eight games. The Rock have two of the Top 5 saves leaders in NLL history in Bob Watson and Steve Dietrich.

The Rochester Knighthawks remain on the road to battle the Washington Stealth on Saturday, April 24th at 10:30 p.m. The game will be broadcast live on The Zone 94.1 FM and thezone941.com.

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