NLL Rochester Knighthawks

Rochester begins ninth season Saturday night

Published on December 23, 2002 under National Lacrosse League (NLL)
Rochester Knighthawks News Release


(Rochester, NY)... The Knighthawks open the 2002-03 season at home on Saturday, December 28th at 7:35 p.m. against the New Jersey Storm.

The game marks the ninth season of professional lacrosse for the Knighthawks. Last season, Rochester finished 13-3 and advanced to the National Lacrosse League Semifinals. The Knighthawks have qualified for the postseason in the previous eight seasons. The Knighthawks won the 1997 Major Indoor Lacrosse League championship.

The Knighthawks enter the game on an NLL-record 15-game home winning streak. The professional indoor mark is 19, set by the Philadelphia Wings from 1993-97. The game marks the first regular season game for the new Sportexe Dieter Turf and the Constellation Video Board.

Rochester returns an arsenal of goal scorers from last season. The Knighthawks boast six players who scored 20 or more goals during the 2001-02 campaign. NLL Second Team All-Pro John Grant enters his fourth season with the Knighthawks after recording a franchise-best 105 points (52+53). Shawn Williams (40+35) and Derek Malawsky (24+47) enter their second season with the K-Hawks after coming over in a trade from the Buffalo Bandits in 2001.

The defense was reinforced in the offseason with the acquisition of Steve Penny from the Montreal Express in the NLL Dispersal Draft. He joins veterans Casey Zaph, Mike Hasen, Regy Thorpe, Pat Cougevan, Marshall Abrams and Andrew Turner. Goaltender Pat O'Toole is coming off a single-season record 12 wins and Pat Campbell comes back after a solid year as O'Toole's backup.

The New Jersey Storm enter their second season in the NLL. Last season, the Storm finished 5-11, but won four of their last six games. New Jersey made two significant player moves in the offseason to bolster an offense that finished last season with a league-low 178 goals. The Storm added forwards Roy Colsey (47+29) and Mike Benedict (35+47). The team also returns its top three scorers: Cam Bomberry (17+28) and Scott Stewart (18+16). New Jersey also has the first female goaltender in professional indoor lacrosse history: Sacred Heart star Ginny Capicchioni.

Saturday's game will be broadcast live on NewsTalk 950-AM WROC. Play-by-Play announcer Craig Rybczynski and color commentator Bill Meagher call all of the K-Hawks action. The game will also be televised live on WRWB TV-16.

After the opening weekend, Rochester prepares for two games against the Vancouver Ravens. The Knighthawks travel to British Columbia for a 5:00 p.m. game on Sunday, January 12th and return home to host the Ravens on Saturday, January 18th. Both games will be carried by Newstalk 950-AM WROC. The January 18th game in Rochester will also be televised live on WRWB TV-16

The Knighthawks practice at Total Sports Experience in Gates on Friday, December 27th at 8:00 p.m. Rochester Knighthawks individual and season tickets are available by calling (585) 454-5335.

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National Lacrosse League Stories from December 23, 2002


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