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**truebluefan** · 01-23-2008, 11:13 PM

The Philadelphia Wings' Merrick Thomson was named the NLL's Rookie of the Week for his performance in last Friday's 15-14 win over the National Lacrosse League's defending champions, the Rochester Knighthawks at the Wachovia Center. Thomson recorded three goals and three assists, while picking up five loose balls.

"He's off to a great start and we expect him to continue to have a terrific rookie season," said Wings' Head Coach Dave Huntley.

In his first two career professional games, Thomson has recorded twelve total points (7G, 5A), which leads all rookies in the National Lacrosse League. The 6'2", 210 pound University at Albany standout was the Wings' top draft choice (2nd overall) in this year's NLL Entry Draft.

The Wings face the Buffalo Bandits in their next home game this Saturday, January 20 at Wachovia Center at 7:30 p.m. Great seats are still available and can be purchased by visiting Official site of the Philadelphia Wings - Wings or at the Wachovia Complex Box Office. Pro-rated season tickets start as low as $60 and are available by calling the Wings ticket office at (215) 389-WING (9464).

**truebluefan** · 01-23-2008, 11:13 PM

BUFFALO, N.Y. (January 23, 2008) - The National Lacrosse League announced Wednesday that Buffalo's John Tavares was named overall Player of the Week and Offensive Player of the Week for Week Four of the NLL season. Fellow Bandit Pat McCready was named Transition Player of the Week.

Tavares became the NLL's all-time goal-scoring leader with a four-goal performance in Saturday's 17-13 win over the New York Titans. Tavares scored his 597th career goal in the third period at HSBC Arena to break Gary Gait's record of 596 career goals. Tavares finished the game with six points (4+2) and four loose balls. He is currently 5th in league scoring with 17 (6+11) points this season.

McCready finished Saturday's game with three points (2+1) and picked up nine loose balls. The St. Catharines, Ontario native enters play this weekend 6th on the Bandits in scoring with 8 (2+6) points and leads the team in loose balls recovered with 23.

The Weekly Player Awards are determined by a vote of the general managers and head coaches of the League's 12 member clubs.

Following four straight road games, Buffalo returns home to HSBC Arena on Saturday, February 16 to face the Minnesota Swarm. Individual game tickets are priced $19, $21, $29. Tickets are available in person at the HSBC Arena Box Office, at all tickets.com outlets in Tops Markets, online at WELCOME TO BANDITS.COM, the Official Website of the Buffalo Bandits or by calling 1-888-223-6000.

**truebluefan** · 01-23-2008, 11:13 PM

Fans Named "Eli" or Who Wear A New York Giants Jersey With Manning's No. 10 Jersey

Admitted Free To Thursday, Jan. 31 Game At Madison Square Garden

NEW YORK, Jan. 23, 2008 - The New York Titans National Lacrosse League franchise is declaring its home opener on Thursday, Jan. 31 at 7:30 pm against San Jose at Madison Square Garden as "Eli Appreciation Night."

To honor New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning, who has lead his team to Super Bowl XLII against the New England Patriots, the Titans will grant free admission to all fans with the first name "Eli" or who wear a New York Giants Jersey with Manning's No. 10 number.

"We want to show our solidarity with our fellow New York team and show support for Eli, who often gets a bum rap in this town," said Tim Kelly, COO of the New York Titans. "We are very proud of the New York Giants and are rooting for them to ruin the New England Patriots perfect season."

Fans must show a valid photo ID with the printed name of "Eli" or "Elisha" or "Elijah" or their jersey at the Madison Square Garden box office for tickets.

The Titans are New York City's first-ever professional lacrosse team. The home opener against the San Jose Stealth will be the first of five home games for the Titans at Madison Square Garden. Ticket prices for individual games can purchased for as little as $15. For ticket and schedule information, go to

New York Titans Pro Indoor Lacrosse.

Last year's Titans' home opener at Madison Square Garden - the first-ever lacrosse game at the world's most famous arena - drew a crowd of 13,000-plus fans. The National Lacrosse League's 2007 expansion franchise will look to improve on its 2007 record of 4-12.

Opening night will also feature the first annual "Mayor's Cup" game - played between teams from New York's Fire Department against a team from the New York City's Police Department at 5:30 pm. A portion of the proceeds from ticket sales will be donated to the PBA Widows & Orphans Fund and the Police & Fire Widow's and Children's 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.

The Titans are part of the 22-year-old National Lacrosse League, headquartered in New York City. The NLL features 12 teams across the country - New York, Chicago, Philadelphia, Colorado, Minnesota, Toronto, Buffalo, Portland (Ore.), San Jose, Calgary, Edmonton and Rochester, N.Y. - and drew over ONE MILLION fans in 2007.

Lacrosse is the oldest and most continually played sport in North America - invented by Native American Indians and discovered by French explorers in the 1600s, who named the sport "La Crosse" or "the cross" since the sticks used by the Indians resembled church's crosses.

Lacrosse is one of the most popular youth sports in the country and has been called by Sports Illustrated and the Sporting Goods Manufacturers Association as the fastest growing sport in the United States. Called "the fastest sport in the fastest city" by standout Titan player Ryan Boyle, lacrosse in New York is a fan-friendly, action-packed game with body checking and shots on goal every 30 seconds.

Standout players on the New York Titans include;

Pat Maddalena (Buffalo, N.Y) - A chiropractor by day, Maddalena was the leading scorer on the Titans in 2007 and is playing for his fourth NLL team in the last nine years.

Ryan Boyle (Brooklyn, N.Y) - Princeton graduate and the 2004 National Lacrosse League Rookie of the Year, Boyle was featured in such news outlets last year as the NY Post's Page Six, The New York Times and famed on-line gossip column Perezhilton.com.

Casey Powell (Watertown, N.Y.)- Syracuse graduate and one of the famed "Powell brothers," Casey would have likely broken the NLL singles season assist record last season if not for a late, season-ending

injury.

Jordan Hall (Surrey, British Columbia) - The "JaMarcus Russell" of lacrosse in 2008 (the No. 1 overall pick in the 2007 NLL Draft), who when not playing for the Titans on the field, is helping the franchise with office work off the field.

Rory Smith (Mimico, Ontario) - A twenty-year-old rookie who teammate Ryan Boyle calls "A

YouTube legend" as many of his hockey and lacrosse fights are featured on the internet video portal.

Lacrosse has a special connection to New York City as the first ever collegiate lacrosse game was play 130 years ago in 1877 in Central Park when New York University played Manhattan College. Manhasset, New York native Jim Brown, one of the National Football League's legendary players, is regarded as perhaps the greatest player of all time, starring for Manhasset High School and Syracuse University. New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg is also a lacrosse enthusiast having attended college at lacrosse

powerhouse Johns Hopkins. "This is a popular sport," Bloomberg said in a jovial press conference in July of 2006 announcing New York City's acquisition of a National Lacrosse League franchise. "It's a great chance to take a stick and hit somebody, and you can do it legally with a smile on your face, and they sort

of like getting hit."

**truebluefan** · 01-23-2008, 11:13 PM

The red-hot 2-0 Philadelphia Wings lacrosse players and their dance team "The Angels" will trade in their lacrosse sticks for ice cream scoops to serve lacrosse-style creations. The NLL's leading goal-scorer Athan Iannucci joins Rob "Mr. Saturday Night" Van Beek and "The Angels" to serve up the ice cream delights including a special Wings "Red and Black Rumble" Creation featuring vanilla ice cream with strawberries, Oreos, drizzled with chocolate syrup.

This season, Coldstone will give a free "Love-It Medium Size Signature Creation" to all fans at the Wachovia Center when the Wings score 10 goals or more, which happened twice in the Wings 2-0 start.

The Wings face the Buffalo Bandits in their next home game Saturday, January 26 vs. at Wachovia Center at 7:30 p.m. Individual tickets for all six remaining Wings home games are on-sale now at Official site of the Philadelphia Wings - Wings or via ComcastTIX at 1-800-289-4200, or at the Wachovia Complex Box Office. Pro-rated season tickets start as low as $60 and are available by calling the Wings ticket office at (215) 389-WING (9464).

**truebluefan** · 01-28-2008, 01:34 PM

The Rochester Knighthawks announced today the details of the 2007 National Lacrosse League Championship Ring Raffle, which will allow one lucky fan to take home an authentic piece of Knighthawks' history.
The raffle will take place on Saturday, April 12th and the Knighthawks will honor the Championship Ring raffle winner when they receive their ring during a presentation on the turf minutes before Rochester battles the Buffalo Bandits in the last regular season home game of the 2008 season.

In addition to taking home the top prize, each winner will receive a Knighthawks' jersey with their name on the back, two tickets for the Knighthawks' suite and two complimentary passes to the President's Lounge.

Fans can enter the raffle by calling the Knighthawks Office at (585) 454-5335 or by visiting the Guest Services table located behind section 119 at any Knighthawks' home games. With each entry, you will receive your choice of two Amerks or Knighthawks tickets. Each raffle entry is $50.

Rochester captured the 2007 NLL Champion's Cup on May 12th, defeating the Arizona Sting 13-11 at Jobing.com Arena in Glendale, Arizona. The win was the team's 15th straight and capped a 17-2 season.

**truebluefan** · 01-28-2008, 01:35 PM

After producing just 11 goals through three quarters on Thursday night, the Colorado Mammoth and Portland LumberJax combined to score 11 goals in the fourth quarter alone, fittingly sending the game into overtime tied at 11-11.
Three minutes, 14 seconds into the sudden-death extra session, Mammoth forward Jason Wulder scored with a shot over the shoulder of LumberJax goaltender Matt King, giving Colorado a 12-11 victory and silencing the Rose Garden crowd.

Wulder, a newcomer to the Mammoth but a veteran of 13 National Lacrosse League seasons prior to 2008, scored his second game-winning goal of the young season. The victory, Colorado's first on the road this year, gave the Mammoth a 3-0 record atop the NLL's West Division. The LumberJax fell to 0-2.

"We talked a great deal about leadership before the game, and I was very pleased to see our guys step up," Mammoth coach Bob McMahon said.

Dan Carey's goal with 14 seconds remaining in the third quarter gave the Mammoth a 6-5 lead, but the LumberJax poured in four consecutive goals in the first 4:07 of the fourth quarter to take a 9-6 advantage. Mammoth forward Dylan Llord, making his Mammoth debut, changed the momentum with the first goal of his NLL career to draw the team within two.

Goals by Carey and Jamie Shewchuk followed, evening the score at 9-9, but Derek Malawsky answered to put the LumberJax in the lead again. The teams then traded goals, setting the stage for Brian Langtry's game-tying goal with 1:28 left in regulation.

Chris Levis made his first start of the season in the Mammoth goal, earning the victory with 45 saves on 56 shots. King allowed 12 goals on 57 shots and took the loss in goal for Portland.

Carey and Langtry tied for the game-high with three goals apiece while Mammoth captain Gavin Prout led the way with game-highs of six assists and eight points.

**truebluefan** · 01-28-2008, 01:37 PM

After producing just 11 goals through three quarters on Thursday night, the Colorado Mammoth and Portland LumberJax combined to score 11 goals in the fourth quarter alone, fittingly sending the game into overtime tied at 11-11.
Three minutes, 14 seconds into the sudden-death extra session, Mammoth forward Jason Wulder scored with a shot over the shoulder of LumberJax goaltender Matt King, giving Colorado a 12-11 victory and silencing the Rose Garden crowd.

Wulder, a newcomer to the Mammoth but a veteran of 13 National Lacrosse League seasons prior to 2008, scored his second game-winning goal of the young season. The victory, Colorado's first on the road this year, gave the Mammoth a 3-0 record atop the NLL's West Division. The LumberJax fell to 0-2.

"We talked a great deal about leadership before the game, and I was very pleased to see our guys step up," Mammoth coach Bob McMahon said.

Dan Carey's goal with 14 seconds remaining in the third quarter gave the Mammoth a 6-5 lead, but the LumberJax poured in four consecutive goals in the first 4:07 of the fourth quarter to take a 9-6 advantage. Mammoth forward Dylan Llord, making his Mammoth debut, changed the momentum with the first goal of his NLL career to draw the team within two.

Goals by Carey and Jamie Shewchuk followed, evening the score at 9-9, but Derek Malawsky answered to put the LumberJax in the lead again. The teams then traded goals, setting the stage for Brian Langtry's game-tying goal with 1:28 left in regulation.

Chris Levis made his first start of the season in the Mammoth goal, earning the victory with 45 saves on 56 shots. King allowed 12 goals on 57 shots and took the loss in goal for Portland.

Carey and Langtry tied for the game-high with three goals apiece while Mammoth captain Gavin Prout led the way with game-highs of six assists and eight points.

**truebluefan** · 01-28-2008, 01:38 PM

The Portland LumberJax will be on the road until February 17, but there's a way to catch the next four Jax games while the team is on the road. On Deck Sports Bar and Grill, the official pre and post game party spot for the Jax, will host live viewing parties for each game courtesy of B2 Networks. On Deck will also host viewing parties for all Jax road games during the 2008 season.
On Deck is located on the corner of 14th and Lovejoy in downtown Portland. Viewing parties begin a half-an-hour before the game and continue well after the final whistle. Your first chance to see the Jax on the road is this Saturday, January 26 when the team plays against the Calgary Roughnecks at the Pengrowth Saddledome at 6:30 p.m. The road swing continues in Edmonton on Saturday, February 2 at 6:30 p.m. and is followed by a trip to Denver to face the Colorado Mammoth on Thursday, February 7 at 6 p.m. The road swing culminates with the only visit to Minnesota on Sunday, February 10 at 1 p.m.

In addition to all road games for the 2008 season being shown at On Deck, all Jax games are also available via B2 networks. To access the pay-per-view broadcasts, go to the Jax home page and click on the B2 icon.

**truebluefan** · 01-28-2008, 01:39 PM

CALGARY - The Calgary Roughnecks avenged an earlier setback to the San Jose Stealth while earning their first National Lacrosse League victory of the season on Friday night.

Following a 13-12 overtime loss to the Stealth in Calgary on Jan. 12, the Roughnecks had nearly two weeks to prepare for the rematch in San Jose. Despite trailing 4-1 early and 6-4 after the first quarter, the Riggers rebounded to earn a hard-fought 16-13 win over the Stealth (1-1).

"I thought our team showed a lot of character," said head coach Troy Cordingley in a phone interview after the victory.

Jeff Shattler led the way with four goals and four assists for the Roughnecks (1-2), playing once again without captain Tracey Kelusky, who's out with a concussion.

"We have a lot of depth," Cordingley said, commending Shattler for his performance while also praising Kaleb Toth, who had a hat trick to go with two assists and a great night fighting for loose balls with eight pick-ups. "Kaleb Toth stepped it up tonight."

Scott Ranger scored twice and set up five goals for Calgary, while Lewis Ratcliff had two goals and three helpers. Andrew McBride also scored twice, one on a shorthanded breakaway in the first quarter, while Dane Dobbie (1g, 2a), Ryan McNish (1g, 1a), Bruce Codd (1g), Kelly Hall (3a), and Curt Malawsky (2a) also contributed to the important win.

Goalie Steve Dietrich made 35 saves to earn his first victory as a Roughneck since being acquired in the off-season from the Buffalo Bandits in a trade involving three teams.

"He makes big, timely saves," Cordingly said of his 5-foot-9, 260-pound netminder. "He's a top-notch goalie."

For the Stealth, Colin Doyle and Jeff Zywicki recorded hat tricks to go with three assists each, while Gary Rosyski also had three goals along with one helper. Peter Veltman, Cam Sedgwick, Eric Martin and Curtis Hodgson also scored for the Stealth.

Things actually got interesting late in the game after Toth scored his third goal of the game at the 12 minute mark of the fourth quarter. Rosyski then scored twice with the Stealth net empty in favour of an extra attacker to pull the Stealth within a pair of goals.

Calgary coach Troy Cordingley then called a timeout to settle down his troops and the strategy worked as McNish scored into an empty net when play resumed to round out the scoring and seal the victory for the Riggers.

"We just wanted to refocus," Cordingley said. "We had the game in hand and we wanted to make sure everyone knew that."

The Roughnecks don't have much time to rest as they'll be right back in action on Saturday night (7:30 p.m.) at the Pengrowth Saddledome against the Portland LumberJax.

**truebluefan** · 01-28-2008, 01:40 PM

Game Notes: The Rochester Knighthawks host the Minnesota Swarm tonight at 8:05 p.m. at The Blue Cross Arena. The contest will be broadcast live on WYSL 1040-AM and wysl1040.com. The game will also be televised tape-delayed on Time Warner SportsNet (Channel 26).

Honoring Justin: Before the game, the Knighthawks will honor the memory of Justin Kuhn. The Irondequoit lacrosse player died suddenly on November 8, 2007. The 14-year-old?s dream was to play for the Knighthawks. To honor his wishes, the team will present a personalized No. 32 jersey to his family before the game. During the game, the Knighthawks will hold a raffle with items from other NLL teams and the Ontario Lacrosse Association. The money raised will go to Golisano Children?s Hospital at Strong and the Ronald McDonald House.

Head-to-Head: The game is the first of two meetings between the two teams. Rochester leads the all-time series with a 5-3 record. Last season, the teams split the two-game season series.

Knighthawks Notes: The game is the beginning of a four-game homestand for the Knighthawks. Rochester enters the game with a 1-2 record after suffering its second straight loss to the Philadelphia Wings at the Wachovia Center on January 18th. The 15-14 setback marked the Knighthawks? first two-game losing streak since March of 2006. After three games, John Grant and Shawn Williams are tied for sixth place in the league with 17 points each. Steve Tolls is second in the NLL with 37 loose balls and Pat O'Toole is tops in the league with 124 saves. Tonight, Shawn Williams will play in his 100th game as a Knighthawk. Ken Millin notched his 100th point as a Knighthawk on January 18th.

Minnesota Notes: The Swarm enter the game in a first-place tie in the East Division with the Philadelphia Wings. Minnesota swept a two-game series (January 11-12) from the Toronto Rock to open the season 2-0 for the first time in team history. The Swarm have won four straight regular-season games and need one more victory to set a franchise record. Minnesota's Nick Patterson leads the NLL with a 9.88 goals-against average. Craig Point (Six Nations) has three and seven assists in two games. He earned NLL Rookie of the Year honors on January 16th. Travis Hill will miss tonight?s game as he serves a one-game suspension. Swarm Head Coach Duane Jacobs played for the Knighthawks from 1995 to 2002 and was a member of the 1997 Championship Team.

Next Game: Rochester remains home to face the Toronto Rock at 7:35 p.m. at The Blue Cross Arena. The game follows the Rochester Americans-San Antonio Rampage American Hockey League game at 2:05 p.m. As part of Kids? Night, the Amerks Moose and Rex the Raging Rhino will participate in a halftime contest with their mascot friends. The first 2,500 fans can take home a poster of Steve Toll and Shawn Williams, courtesy of Molson Canadian. The contest will be broadcast live on WYSL 1040-AM and wysl1040.com. The game will also be televised live on Time Warner SportsNet (Channel 26).

Win a Championship Ring: The Rochester Knighthawks announced the details of the 2007 National Lacrosse League Championship Ring Raffle, which will allow one lucky fan to take home an authentic piece of Knighthawks? history. The raffle will take place on Saturday, April 12th and the Knighthawks will honor the Championship Ring raffle winner when they receive their ring during a presentation on the turf minutes before Rochester battles the Buffalo Bandits in the last regular season home game of the 2008 season. In addition to taking home the top prize, each winner will receive a Knighthawks? jersey with their name on the back, two tickets for the Knighthawks? suite and two complimentary passes to the President?s Lounge. Fans can enter the raffle by calling the Knighthawks Office at (585) 454-5335 or by visiting the Guest Services table located behind section 119 at any Knighthawks? home games. With each entry, you will receive your choice of two Amerks or Knighthawks tickets. Each raffle entry is $50.

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