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NLL Rochester Knighthawks

Knighthawks Ready to Soar into Philly for Opener

January 12, 2012 - National Lacrosse League (NLL)
Rochester Knighthawks News Release


(Rochester, January 12)... In the offseason, the Rochester Knighthawks and Philadelphia Wings underwent some of the most drastic changes in the National Lacrosse League. On Saturday night, the East Division rivals will showcase their new-look lineups as they meet at 7:00 p.m. at the Wells Fargo Center. The game will be broadcast live on Sportsradio 950 ESPN and www.sportsradio950espn.com.

The game is the first of three meetings between the two teams. The Knighthawks lead the series with a 23-15 record. The teams met in the preseason with Rochester roaring back with six fourth-quarter goals to defeat the Wings, 11-8. The offense was powered by draft picks Johnny Powless and Stephen Keogh. Powless, this year's fifth overall pick, had an impressive debut with one goal and four assists, while Keogh (second overall) notched two goals and one assist. Powless headlines a Rochester lineup that boasts 11 different players from the playoff-bound 2011 season.

"Keogh is really gritty, works well with the ball and better off ball," said Hasen. "Powless does a lot of things well, has great hands and can finish."

The Knighthawks finished the preseason with a 2-0 record, as they relied on a balanced attack. In the two games, the Knighthawks had six players with five-plus points. Cody "Jammer" Jamieson led the way with eight goals and four assists. Meanwhile, Powless notched eight points, while Keogh, Joe Walters and Jordan Hall all recorded six points. Brad Self, in his return to the NLL, scored three goals and added two assists in his only preseason game. Self last played in the NLL in 2008 before going to Germany full-time to pursue his professional hockey career. In goal, Matt Vinc saw the majority of the work, playing nearly six quarters and recording 42 saves. Backup Jake Henhawk played the final quarter of the Minnesota game and saw some action against the Wings.

"A lot we do is about us," said Hasen about the team's preseason training. "We are taking note of Philadelphia because they made a lot of changes. We have to make sure we don't walk in there and take them for granted."

The Philadelphia Wings open the season with 10 new players led by offseason acquisitions Dan Dawson, Brodie Merrill and Kevin Crowley, in addition to top returnees Max Seibald, Jeff Reynolds and Brandon Miller. After finishing 5-11 and missing the playoffs for the third straight season, Philadelphia acquired transition specialist Brodie Merrill, and forwards Dean Hill and Mike McLellan from Edmonton. Crowley was acquired with the first-overall pick from Stony Brook University. The youngster will play a major role in the Wings' offense.

"He is a very versatile player. He can play with or without the ball, on the power play and he can come off the bench and play defense," said Philadelphia Head Coach Johnny Mouradian.

Crowley scored 30 goals and added 26 assists in 2011 to record 131 goals and 101 assists in 60 career games. He's the only player in school history to record 100 or more goals and assists, and one of just 40 players in Division I history to accomplish the feat. On Saturday, the top two picks in the 2011 NLL Entry Draft will go head-to-head. After the Wings picked Crowley, the Knighthawks drafted Keogh out of Syracuse University. Keogh was a three-time All-American and a two-time NCAA champion. In 2011, he was named the BIG EAST Attack Player of the Year as he led the Orange in goals (33) and tied for the team lead in points (41). He finished his career ninth in Syracuse history with 133 goals.

After Saturday, the Knighthawks will host the Buffalo Bandits in their home opener at 7:30 p.m. at The Blue Cross. The Knighthawks will honor their Millionth Fan on Saturday, January 21st with a trip for two to Las Vegas (hotel, airfare and $2,000 cash). The Knighthawks will raffle off a second trip to Vegas (hotel and airfare) between the third and fourth quarters. Fans have until halftime to register at the Guest Services Booth. Knighthawks individual tickets are on sale at all Ticketmaster outlets, ticketmaster.com, and at The Blue Cross Arena Box Office or by calling 1-800-745-3000.

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