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**truebluefan** · 03-15-2008, 07:25 PM

HOFFMAN ESTATES, IL March 14, 2008 ? A late forth quarter charge by the Shamrox was not enough for Chicago to pick up the win as they lose to the Minnesota Swarm 13-9.

Even though the team lost, Shamrox newcomers Matt Roik and Kevin Ross made their Shamrox debut while Cody Jacobs suited up for his first time in a Shamrox away jersey during the 2008 season.

Jacobs, who picked up three points (2g, 1a) during the close lost, showed everyone that he was able to pickup where he left off during the 2007 season. During his inaugural season in the National Lacrosse League, Jacobs had 22 points (14g, 8a) over 11 games.

Shamrox rookie Kevin Ross, who was the Shamrox 1st overall pick in the 2007 entry draft, collected two points (2a) in front of a fantastic Minnesota crowd.

?The atmosphere was ridiculous in that place,? said Ross. ?My first game in the NLL was awesome.?

Even though Roik?s performance was not perfect, he was able to make 47 saves on 59 shots on goal, which was a great showing for his first game playing not only in a Shamrox uniform, but also this year in the league.

?I tried to keep my game as simple as possible,? said Roik. ?My performance in the beginning of the game slowed the team down.?

After a 5-0 deficit at the end of the first quarter, Roik was able to hold off Minnesota and give his team the ability to come back for the win, but five goals in the 4th quarter was not enough to secure the team?s first W on the road.

The Chicago Shamrox will travel up to New York to play the Rochester Knighthawks next Saturday, March 22 at the Blue Cross Arena before returning home on Saturday, March 29 to take on the Minnesota Swarm again.

**truebluefan** · 03-15-2008, 07:26 PM

PHILADELPHIA - The Wings overcame a two-goal deficit in the final quarter to remain undefeated at home (6-0) with a 16-13 win over San Jose Friday at the Wachovia Center in front of 11,737 fans. All-Star Athan Iannucci led the come-from-behind victory with the tying and go-ahead goals in the final five minutes of regulation. The league-leading scorer finished the game with four goals and two assists. Goalie Rob Blasdell made 41 saves and added a goal and assist. The Wings will return home again on Sunday, April 6 to face the Toronto Rock at 8:00 p.m.

"It was a great defensive effort," said Wings' Head Coach Dave Huntley. "I thought our team showed a lot of character."

The Stealth outscored the Wings, 4-2, in the third quarter to tie the game at 10 going into the final quarter. Five straight goals and a strong defense by Philadelphia put the game out of reach.

Philadelphia scored in the first minute of play, but San Jose tallied on three of its first five shots to take a 3-1 lead. Goals by four different players put the Wings back in the game. Three more unanswered goals in the second quarter, including a pair by Iannucci, gave Philadelphia an 8-6 lead at halftime.

Athan Iannucci (4G,2A) led the Wings in scoring with six points. Nine other players scored goals for Philadelphia, including Kyle Sweeney (2G), John Christmas (1G,2A), Jason Crosbie (1G,3A), Jake Bergey (2G,3A), Jim Borell (1G), Geoff Snider (1G,3A), Jamie Rooney (2G,2A), A.J. Shannon (1G) and Rob Blasdell (1G,1A). Goaltender Rob Blasdell made 40 saves.

Jeff Zywicki led the Stealth in scoring with six points (4G,2A). Seven other players scored for San Jose, including Eric Martin (1G), Steve Holmes (2G,1A), Shaydon Santos (1G), Curtis Hodgson (1G,1A), Luke Wiles (2G,1A), Luke Hinton (1G), and Tom Johnson (1G,1A). Goaltender Anthony Cosmo had 40 saves, while Aaron Bold made seven stops.

NOTES: The Philadelphia Wings' All-Star Athan Iannucci was named the NLL's Player Of The Month for February, taking home the honor for the second straight month. This is only the second time in history, and the first in twelve seasons, that a player has won the award in consecutive months. Iannucci scored 17 goals and added six assists for 23 total points in the month of February...Iannucci, defenseman Taylor Wray, and transition player Geoff Snider all head to Edmonton on Saturday to play in the NLL All-Star Game on Sunday, March 16. The All-Star Game will be broadcast locally on Comcast SportsNet on Thursday, March 20 at 8:00 p.m.

**truebluefan** · 03-15-2008, 07:26 PM

Ray Bala, Toronto - The Rock hosted the New York Titans at the Air Canada Centre and despite a very physical game from start to finish and being outshot by the Rock 60 to 40, New York would snap the Rock's winning streak at two games and go on to win 14-10.

The Titans came out aggressive and would score the first three goals before the Rock settled into the game midway through the quarter. Josh Sanderson kicked off the scoring for the Rock before the Titans would score again at the 10:40 mark. The Rock clawed at the lead bringing it back to two on Sanderson's second of the game and came within one on a brilliant power play goal by Blaine Manning with 2.2 seconds to go in the first. The Rock would close out the tough opening quarter down one, 4-3.

New York started the scoring in second the quarter but their two goal lead was short lived as Ryan Benesch put one by Matt Vinc on an excellent effort in front of the net for his first goal of the game. The Titans' sixth of the night was followed by another Rock goal scored by Aaron Wilson. New York brought their lead to 8-3 and closed out the half on top despite the Rock outshooting the Titans 26 to 21.

The Titans padded their lead early to 9-5 before Benesch's second goal of the night would cut the lead back to three followed by Chris Driscoll's first of the game bringing the Rock within two midway through the third. The Titans responded and found the net to score three more giving them a 12-7 lead. Wilson scored his second of the game with under three minutes in the quarter followed shortly by Josh Sanderson's third to cut the lead down. Despite New York's very physical play and a few penalties, the Rock closed the third down by three.

After a goal was waived off for a crease violation in the fourth quarter, Ryan Benesch would cut the lead to three goals once again but that was as close as Toronto would get. Despite a valiant effort and outshooting the Titans in the last three quarters, Toronto would fall to New York in the end 14-10.

The Rock were led by Josh Sanderson with six points (3 goals, 3 assists) followed by Benesch who had five points on three goals and two assists and Blaine Manning with five points (1 goal, four assists). The Titans were led by both Ryan Boyle and Pat Maddalena both tallying six points each. New York goalie Matt Vinc would take the win.

The next game for the Rock (5-4) will be at home next weekend on March 21st at the Air Canada Centre when they face off against the Edmonton Rush at 7:30 p.m. EST.

**truebluefan** · 03-15-2008, 07:27 PM

CALGARY, Alberta - The Colorado Mammoth battled the division rival Calgary Roughnecks to an 11-6 win Friday night, staying on top of the National Lacrosse League's West Division heading into the All-Star break.

The Mammoth (6-3) increased its division lead over Calgary (4-7) following a big effort from Mammoth captain Gavin Prout (3g, 6a, 9 points). After a sluggish first quarter start that saw Prout scoring the Mammoth's only goal, Colorado rebounded in the second, scoring four and taking a 5-4 halftime lead.

"It felt good to be in control," Colorado Mammoth coach Bob McMahon said. "We played like we wanted to win." Prout led a string of six unanswered goals beginning late in the third quarter that put the game out of reach for Calgary. Jamie Shewchuk (2 g, 3a, 5 points) and Dan Carey (3g, 1a, 4 points) followed Prout in Mammoth scoring.

Gee Nash recorded the win in goal for the Mammoth, saving 36 of 42 shots. Pat Campbell took the loss for Calgary. Roughnecks stalwarts Kaleb Toth, Tracey Kelusky and Lewis Ratcliff each scored three points for Calgary.

**truebluefan** · 03-15-2008, 07:28 PM

The San Jose Stealth refused to be intimidated by the East-leading Philadelphia Wings at Wachovia Center, but they lost nevertheless. In a game of scoring bursts, the Wings finished with five straight goals to halt the Stealth's three-game winning streak.

The 16-13 Wings' win boosted their league-best record to 7-1, while the Stealth fell to 5-4.

League-leading scorer Athan Iannucci, was bottled up for most of the night by the Stealth's defense, but he had a pair of scoring bursts at the end of the first half and the end of the game to lift his team to victory.

Philadelphia is notoriously tough and the Stealth weren't going to be cowed by the Philly crowd or the Wings. That's what might have been in the mind of veteran goal tender Anthony Cosmo after he went after Iannucci in the second quarter following Iannucci's second goal in seven seconds.

Cosmo jumped on Iannucci and then when both players popped off the ground, Cosmo threw a punch at him before they collapsed against the boards behind the net in a flurry of fists. A full-fledged brawl between the teams was narrowly averted, however, Cosmo got slapped for a five-minute fighting penalty and All-Star defenseman Eric Martin was caged with a 10-minute game misconduct penalty.

Slightly bruised and possibly embarrassed, the Stealth fell behind 8-4 in the second quarter after their implosion. But, the intrepid Stealth crawled back, getting a score from defensemen Curtis Hodgson and another with five seconds left in the half from former Wing Luke Wiles to narrow the score to 8-6.

Wiles added to his reputation for opportune scoring with his long-range goal, which re-inflated the Stealth's momentum going into halftime. Wiles beat Calgary this year with a goal in overtime and had a hat trick in Saturday's 12-8 upset of the Mammoth in Colorado.

The Stealth could have matched the Wings' scoring but their scorers were largely silenced in the first half. Of the team's six first-half goals, four came from defensemen Martin, Hodgson, Steve Holmes and Shaydon Santos.

The Stealth then closed the gap and took a one goal lead at 10-9 by scoring three unanswered goals in the third quarter, aided by a pair of quick breakaway shots by Luke Hinton and Jeff Zywicky.

It looked as if the Stealth would shed their "sleeper team" label and topple Philly when Tom Johnson scored with 6:26 left in the fourth quarter for a 12-10 lead, but then the Wings flexed, and ripped off their five straight goals to seal the win.

The loss shouldn't diminish the contribution from San Jose defensemen Holmes. He played brilliantly scoring two goals and decking Wing Rob Van Beek to deprive him of a breakaway scoring opportunity.

The Stealth, still in the thick of the West division race, come home after nearly six weeks to host the Calgary Roughnecks Saturday afternoon at 1 p.m. and tickets are available.

**truebluefan** · 03-15-2008, 07:28 PM

PORTLAND, March 15, 2008 - After a weekend away from lacrosse for most of the Portland LumberJax, the team has three school appearances and a game to fill the week ahead.

The National Lacrosse League's eighth All-Star Game is on Sunday, March 16 at 1 p.m. PST at Rexall Place in Edmonton, Alberta. Forward Dan Dawson and defenseman Brodie Merrill, a starter, will represent the Jax for the West Division. Forward Ryan Powell, selected to his second consecutive All-Star Game, will be unable to play due to an ankle injury.

A day later, members of the team will be at Vernon Elementary School from 3:15-4:30 p.m. As part of the Jax school program, members of the team make countless visits to local Oregon schools. The school program promotes the importance of a healthy lifestyle, provides lacrosse instruction, offers well-liked demonstrations and the viewing of the hit Jax DVD.

On Tuesday, March 18, Practice player Jonathan Munk will be at May Street Elementary School in Hood River from 1-2 p.m.

Wednesday, March 19 is all about Woodlawn Elementary School from 3:30-4:45 p.m. as Dawson and goalie Joel Weber make the team's third school appearance of the week.

The week concludes as Portland (3-7) hosts the Colorado Mammoth (6-3) at 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, March 20 at the Rose Garden Arena. It's "Mt. Hood Meadows Night", so every fan who attends the game will be able to use their ticket stub as a buy-one-get-one free lift ticket.

**truebluefan** · 03-15-2008, 07:29 PM

The National Lacrosse League announced today that Rochester Knighthawks forward Shawn Williams has been added to the East Division All-Star roster. He replaces Andy Secore of Minnesota. The 2008 National Lacrosse League All-Star Game will take place on Sunday, March 16th at 4:00 p.m. Eastern at Rexall Place in Edmonton.

Williams joins Rochester teammates John Grant, Steve Toll and Scott Evans on the East Division squad. Rochester's Ed Comeau will also serve as the Head Coach of the East.

Williams will make this fifth NLL All-Star appearance, having also played in the 2002, 2005, 2006 and 2007 games. The Scarborough, Ontario, native ranks second on the team with 45 points (12+33) in eight games. In 2004, the forward was a First Team All-Pro as he led Rochester with 45 goals and 81 points. In 2007, he earned NLL Second Team honors.

Tonight, the Knighthawks (4-4) battle the Edmonton Rush (1-6) at 6:00 p.m. at Rexall Place. The game will be broadcast live on Hot Talk 1280 WHTK, whtk.com and B2 Networks. Rochester enters the contest in fifth place in the East Division after winning its last game, 18-8, over the Chicago Shamrox on March 1st. The Rush are in fifth place in the West Division and are 1-1 under new Head Coach Bob Hamley. Edmonton won its first game of the season on March 1st, earning a 9-7 victory over the Portland LumberJax.

The Knighthawks return home on Saturday, March 22nd to host the Shamrox on 7:35 p.m. That night, the Knighthawks will host their Second Annual Teddy Bear Auction. Fans can bid on 31 bears created at Build-A-Bear Workshop® at Eastview Mall. Last year the event raised nearly $4,500 for CURE. The game will be broadcast live on WYSL 1040-AM, wysl1040.com and B2 Networks. The contest will also be televised live on Time Warner SportsNet Channel 26.

**truebluefan** · 03-20-2008, 03:15 AM

Edmonton, Alberta -The Rochester Knighthawks' Shawn Williams was a last-minute addition to the 2008 National Lacrosse League's East Division squad, but he scored the biggest goal of the game in an overtime thriller that saw the East Division win its second consecutive National Lacrosse League All-Star Game Sunday, beating its West Division rivals 17-16 in Edmonton. Williams replaced the New York Titans' injured Casey Powell and ended up with a 4-goal, 2-assist game. Knighthawks teammate John Grant scored a game high 8 points (4 g, 4a) to lead the East Division in scoring. The Colorado Mammoth's Dan Carey was the West's scoring leader with a 6-point effort (3g, 3a). It was an all-Mammoth effort that got the first goal of the game Colorado Mammoth and West Division captain Gavin Prout scoring on assists from Colorado Mammoth teammates Gee Nash and Nick Carlson. The West Division led the game 8-5 at halftime. But, torrid scoring by the East in the third quarter put them up 13-11 at the end of the third. The East started the fourth quarter with two additional goals, but the West scored four consecutive times to tie the game at 16 at the end of regulation. Williams scored just 31 seconds into overtime on assists from John Tavares and Athan Ianucci. The East Division has now won four of five All-Star Games since the NLL realigned into two divisions prior to the 2004 season. The East was victorious in the first two All-Star games under the current format, at Denver's Pepsi Center in 2004, at the Pengrowth Saddledome in Calgary, Alberta, in 2005, and at the Rose Garden in Portland last year. The West won the 2006 game at the Air Canada Centre in Toronto.

**truebluefan** · 03-20-2008, 03:16 AM

Philadelphia Wings transition player Geoff Snider recorded three goals, three assists, 30 loose balls and won 80% of the faceoffs en route to All-Star Game MVP honors, leading the East Division stars over the West Division stars, 17-16, in overtime on Sunday at Rexall Place in Edmonton.

Rochester Knighthawks forward Shawn Williams scored the game-winner 31 seconds into the extra period, on an assist from Buffalo Bandits forward John Tavares and Wings forward Athan Iannucci. Williams and Knighthawks teammate John Grant led the East in scoring with four goals apiece.

Portland LumberJax forward Dan Dawson tied the game with 2:12 remaining in regulation, capping a furious four-goal comeback by the West All-Stars in final moments of the fourth quarter.

Dawson finished with two goals, while San Jose Stealth forward Colin Doyle scored four and Colorado Mammoth forward Dan Carey added three.

Mammoth goaltender Gee Nash was the unsung hero for the West, holding the East All-Stars to just five first half goals as he recorded 32 saves.

**truebluefan** · 03-20-2008, 03:17 AM

PORTLAND - There's only six games left in the 2008 regular season for the Portland LumberJax and every win is becoming more important. With four of the five teams in the National Lacrosse League's West Division making the playoffs, every win could determine who's in and who's out. The Jax (3-7) will look to establish their playoff position, starting Thursday, March 20 as they host the Colorado Mammoth at 7:30 p.m. at the Rose Garden Arena.

Like many great sports rivalries, the series history between the two clubs has swayed back-and-forth like a heavyweight fight. Each team taking their shots; watching as the final decision came down to the wire.

The rivalry started out in Portland's favor but has since been all Colorado. The Jax won the first two meetings the two clubs ever played in 2006. Both were one goal decisions and set the tone for the rivalry.

In 2007, the Mammoth (6-3) won all three decisions, with two of those being decided by four goals or less. Both games in 2008, decided by a combined total of four goals, have gone to the Mammoth.

In the first meeting this season on Jan. 24, 6,322 watched as Portland built an early two goal lead in the first quarter. The momentum swayed as the game progressed and the Jax held a 9-6 lead with 11:53 left in regulation. Reeling for much of the game, the Mammoth closed the gap by scoring six of the final eight goals and eventually won 12-11 in overtime.

All-Star Forward "Dangerous" Dan Dawson scored two goals and added two assists. All-Star forward Ryan Powell scored a goal and matched forward Scott Stewart with a game-high four assists. Playing his most complete game of the season, goalie Matt King grounded the Mammoth attack, stuffing 33 of the 45 shots he faced.

On Feb. 7, both clubs met in front of 15,910 at the Pepsi Center in Denver, Colo. Colorado held a six goal advantage early in the third quarter, only to stand dazed and confused as Portland cut the deficit in half. The Mammoth would eventually hold on for the 15-12 win, making it the fifth time in seven meetings that the final score was determined by three goals or less.

Forward Spencer Martin set season-highs in assists (6) and points scored (7) and Powell led the offensive attack, scoring four goals and adding an assist. In relief, future hall-of-fame goalie Dallas Eliuk stopped 17 of the 18 shots he faced as Portland cut the Colorado deficit.

The Jax last played on Mar. 8 when they fell 15-12 to the Calgary Roughnecks in Calgary. Dawson went out in a blaze of glory before the All-Star Break, scoring three goals and adding two assists. Powell, who suffered an ankle injury in the game that led to him missing the All-Star Game, scored two goals and added four assists for Portland.

This will be the third and final meeting of the regular season for both clubs. Both could potentially meet down the road in the playoffs, but the Jax still have six games left to work their way up the standings and improve their positioning.

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