New Jersey Storm Game Notes
March 15, 2002 - National Lacrosse League (NLL) - New Jersey Storm News Release
Saturday, March 16, 2002, 8:00 p.m. EST
STORM (3-10)
AT
OTTAWA REBEL (2-11)
Continental Airlines Arena, East Rutherford, NJ
The expansion New Jersey Storm enters tonights game with a (3-10) record after dropping a hard fought 15-9 road contest to their Eastern Division rivals the New York Saints last Saturday night on Long Island.
The team will attempt to gain its fourth win and second straight at home this evening when they host the Ottawa Rebel in the first of two meetings this season. The next contest between the two squads takes place in just eight days when the Storm travels across the border for the final game of the 2001-2002 NLL regular season.
The Rebel comes in with a mark of (2-11), after falling to Washington at home just one week ago by the score of 18-15.
With a victory tonight the Storm will move one step closer to jumping ahead of New York for the third place spot in the division.
Face-off is scheduled for 8:00 p.m. The game will be broadcast on the Storm Radio Network - Jukebox Radio 103.1 FM, www.jbnmedia.com, and on www.nj.com with Joe Nolan calling all the action.
LAST GAME Lost 15-9 in New York on Saturday night, March 9. Game MVP Chris Driscoll registered six-points (4G, 2A) to lead the Saints to victory. Forward Cam Bomberry led all Storm players with a hat trick and one-assist for a total of four-points (3G, 1A). Teammate Bryan Bendig also chipped in with three-points (2G, 1A) in the losing effort. Saints goaltender Gord Nash stopped 41 of the Storms 50 shots while across the turf Storm net minder Matt Roik suffered the loss, making 34 saves before being pulled after three quarters for Derek General who stopped seven. Defensemen Jamie Hanford (13-6) and Gordon Purdie (7-2) dominated the face-offs, winning a combined 20 draws. CAPTAIN HANFORD The Storm have named defenseman Jamie Hanford their first-ever captain. Hanford played collegiately at powerhouse Loyola (MD) and has two years of professional experience with defending NLL champion Philadelphia Wings. Defenseman Paul Talmo has been tabbed as assistant captain.
BEEN THERE, DONE THAT 15 Storm players have prior NLL experience. SCRATCHES #1 Andrew Piazza, #14 Derek Graham, #19 Joe Teatro, #20 Grant Johnston, #27 Jordon Guindon, and #43 Chris Parkin will not dress for the Storm tonight.
IN THE NET Matt Roik (3-5) will get the start in goal tonight for the Storm. The 23-year old has made 293 saves and allowed 106 goals in 9 appearances this year. He possesses a 15.46 goals against average. The Dunnville, Ontario native was named the National Lacrosse League Defensive Player of the Week (for the week ending February 16) for leading the Storm to back-to-back wins over Washington and Philadelphia.
COOL LID New Jersey Storm visor hats will be given to the first 3,000 fans that enter Continental Airlines Arena tonight.
HEY NOW, YOURE AN ALL-STAR Positive Impact, the sports and entertainment management company that assists in the Storms day-to-day operations, has been selected to manage game entertainment, sponsorships, and other elements for the upcoming National Lacrosse League All-Star Weekend. The event will be held at Mohegan Sun Arena (capacity 7,700) in Uncasville, CT. Saturday, April 20 will be the All-Star Awards Dinner, while the game itself will be played on Sunday, April 21 at 2:00 p.m. The exhibition will be televised nationally on CNN/SI.
HOMEBOYS Four Stormers call New Jersey home: Hanley Holcomb (Ridgewood), Dan Leidl (Long Valley), Shawn Nadelen (Plainsboro), and Andy Piazza (Dayton).
DEFENSE WINS CHAMPIONSHIPS- The Storm boasts the leagues fourth best penalty killing unit with a 51.9 percentage rate.
PLAYOFF SCENARIO Entering this weekend, three of the six NLL playoff spots have been claimed. Albany (12-2), Rochester (11-3), and Washington (9-5) have already clinched. Toronto (9-3) needs just one win in their last four games to clinch a playoff spot and win the Northern Division. There are four teams battling for the two remaining berths: Buffalo (7-8), Montreal (8-6), Philadelphia (6-7), and Vancouver (8-6). The Storm and the Rebel have been mathematically eliminated.
HEY JIM Dont be confused. It only seems like everyone in the Storm Front Office is named Jim. Jim Rogers is the General Manager and Assistant Coach, Jim Brady is the Director of Player Personnel and interim Head Coach, Jim Butler is the Equipment Manager, and Jim Lampariello is Executive Vice President/Positive Impact.
NICE PROVINCE, EH? Thirteen Storm players are from the land of Ontario, Canada.
NATIVE AMERICANS The Storm boasts three players of Native American descent, the most in the NLL: Cam Bomberry, Derek General, and Dallas Squire.
TELL THEM WHAT THEYVE WON- The New Jersey Storm will celebrate Fan Appreciation Night on March 23, 2002, when they take on the Columbus Landsharks at 7:30 p.m. As part of the festivities NJ Storm Inaugural Pins will be given out to the first 3,000 fans and in addition all fans will have the opportunity to win a brand-new Harley Davidson motorcycle, courtesy of Williams Harley Davidson.
THANKS FOR THE MEMORIES The Storm has released forward Blake Miller. The Amityville, NY played two games for the Storm early in the year tallying one goal and two assists. WINGIN IT Three Stormers have experience with the defending NLL champion Philadelphia Wings: General Manager/Assistant Coach Jim Rogers, defenseman and captain Jamie Hanford, and goaltender Andy Piazza.
BRADY BUNCH Tonight is the tenth game for Jim Brady (2-7) as an NLL Head Coach. He is a member of the Canadian and Ontario Lacrosse Halls of Fame, and has coached at the Junior A Level and earned over 400 wins, including 100 playoff wins and six National Championships. In addition, he was instrumental in the assemblage of this years team as the Storms Director of Player Personnel.
HOT SHOTS Forward Cam Bomberry currently leads the Storm in scoring with 39 points (13G, 26A). Storm forward Matt Panetta leads the team in total goals with 20 and Billy LeFeuvre has 17. Defenseman Jamie Hanford is first in NLL face-off wins with 190.
OTTAWA LEADERS Forward Mike Benedict headlines the Rebel and is tied for 14th in NLL scoring with 67 points (26G, 41A). Teammate forward Chris Konopliff is second on the team and 16th in the NLL with 65 points (24G, 41A). Forward Ryan Painter is tops in team goals with 32.
DO YOU COME FROM A LAND DOWN UNDER? The Storm boasts the National Lacrosse Leagues only Australian born player in defenseman Gordon Purdie.
GAME DATE CHANGE - The New Jersey Storms road game against the Ottawa Rebel originally scheduled for Friday, March 22nd in Ottawa has been re-scheduled for Sunday, March 24th at 7pm. The change was done in order to accommodate a change in venues for Ottawa from the Corel Centre to the downtown Ottawa Civic Centre.
NLL OFFICIALS Tonights officials are Dave Berman (Crew Chief), Tim Murray (Referee), Mike Corcoran (Tech), and Harry McVey (Time Keeper).
NLL PLAYERS OF THE WEEK
OFFENSE: Paul Gait (Washington) Scored five goals and four assists in an 18-15 victory over Ottawa. He also scored six goals and added seven assists in a 19-12 win over Philadelphia.
DEFENSE: Curtis Palidwor (Montreal) Recorded 58 saves and picked up seven loose balls.
ROOKIE: Steve Penney (Montreal) Scored a goal on his only shot of the game and picked up six loose balls.
OVERALL: Paul Gait (Washington) Scored 5 goals and 4 assists in victory over Ottawa and six goals and seven assists in a win against Philadelphia.
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