Titans Look For Second Win In Toronto Saturday
January 24, 2008 - National Lacrosse League (NLL)
Orlando Titans News Release
New York, NY - After losing a physical battle against the Buffalo Bandits on Saturday the 19th, the Titans are ready to take on the Toronto Rock in the Air Canada Centre on Saturday, January 26 at 7pm. Both teams have an even record, the Titans are 1-1 after winning their season opener on the road in Portland on January 12, and the Rock are 2-2.
The Titans enter Saturday's game with a 2-0 record against the Rock, beating Toronto once at home and once in Toronto last season. Toronto was the only team the Titans beat on the road and the only team the Titans beat twice in their inaugural season last year.
"Last season we won two close games against them and they will be remembering them Saturday night," said Titans head coach Adam Mueller. "Toronto is a very experienced team with quite a few weapons and a solid defense and goaltender. We want to try and use our speed and athleticism all over the floor and come way with a win in a tough building."
Entering Saturday's game, the Titans sit atop the NLL rankings in power play goals, with 15 in only two games played and rank second in the league in power play percentage, converting 55.56%. Titans captain Casey Powell is tied for second in the NLL in goals scored, with 9 goals. He is tied with Josh Sanderson of Toronto, who has played four games this season and John Grant of Rochester, who has played in three games. Powell is ranked eighth in the league in points with 15. In the center circle, Titans defender Jamie Hanford is second in the league in face-off percentage and third in the league in face-off wins with 39.
In the off-season, the Titans picked up scrappy defenseman Patrick Merrill, a former Toronto Rock player who will be facing his former team for the first time on Saturday. Merrill was the first over-all pick in the 2002 NLL Entry Draft for the Rock and has played his entire career for the Rock until this season. Merrill is considered one of the more punishing defenders in the league and is currently number four in the league in penalty minutes with 21 after playing in only one game - the season opener against the Portland LumberJax on January 12. Merrill served an uncontested suspension and sat out the Titans second game of the season against the Bandits on January 19.
"I have a lot of great memories from my time in Toronto. I have a lot of respect for my former teammates, the fans and the entire Rock organization," Merrill said. "It'll be strange playing at the ACC on the 'visiting team' for the first time but I'm happy to have a new home in New York and my priority is to help the Titans get a big win on Saturday night."
The Titans play the Toronto Rock on the road on Saturday, January 26 at 7pm before opening at home against the San Jose Stealth on January 31st at 7:30pm at Madison Square Garden. Opening night will also feature the first annual "Mayor's Cup" game - played between the New York Fire Department lacrosse team and the New York Police Department lacrosse team at 5:30 pm. A portion of the proceeds from ticket sales will be donated to the PBA Widow's & Children's Fund and the Thomas Elsasser Fund.
The rock band "Bang Camaro," one of the top American buzz bands, will also perform during the Titans warm-up and again at half-time. Bang Camaro, a five-piece band with up to 20 lead singers belting out their unique blend of 'dude powered' rock that has "redefined metal," according to Rolling Stone magazine.
Titans 2008 Season and Group Tickets are now available by calling 888-8TITANS or contact the Titans at tickets@nytitans.com. Season tickets start as low as $75 for all five games at the World's Most Famous Arena. Log onto www.nytitans.com for information on the Titans 2008 season schedule.
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