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**truebluefan** · 04-16-2008, 08:54 PM

BUFFALO, N.Y. (April 9, 2008) - The National Lacrosse League announced today that Buffalo's Mark Steenhuis was named Transition Player of the Week for Week 16 of the NLL season. This is the third time this season Steenhuis has been named Transition Player of the Week.

The 28-year-old right-hander recorded three goals, three assists and eight loose balls in the Bandits' 12-11 win over Colorado on Saturday at HSBC Arena.

Steenhuis has 69 points (29+440) on the season and has recovered a team leading, 99 loose balls. He leads the Bandits in goals scored and is second on the team in total points, trailing only John Tavares.

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

Buffalo's next home game is Sat., April 19, against the Chicago Shamrox. Game time is 7:30 p.m. Ticket prices range from $19 to $29.

Tickets can be purchased at the HSBC Arena Box Office or at participating tickets.com outlets in Tops Markets. To order online visit WELCOME TO BANDITS.COM, the Official Website of the Buffalo Bandits. Tickets can also be purchased over the phone by calling 1-888-467-2273.

**truebluefan** · 04-16-2008, 08:55 PM

In a tightly fought contest, the Philadelphia Wings defeated the Portland Lumberjax 13-10 at the Rose Garden in Portland, OR. Forward Athan Iannucci scored six goals and is just one goal away from tying the NLL's single season goal scoring record. The Wings move to 9-4 on the season and are in sole possession of first place in the East Division. The Wings will return home again on Saturday, April 19 to face the New York Titans at 7:30 p.m.

"Good teams find ways to win and this team found one tonight," said Wings' Head Coach Dave Huntley. "Brandon (Miller) and the defense played an unbelievable game and our offense came alive late."

The Lumberjax got off to a quick start in the first quarter, scoring three goals in the first 2:30. Athan Iannucci got his first of the night for the Wings at 12:29 to make it 3-1 Lumberjax after the first quarter.

The Wings A.J. Shannon tied the game at four at 4:48 into the second quarter, but Portland's Dan Dawson scored at 9:44 to give the Lumberjax a 5-4 lead at the half.

The second half was tightly fought, but the Wings' offense broke open the scoring late in the second half with four straight goals to secure a 13-10 win over Portland.

Leading the Wings in scoring were Athan Iannucci with eight points (6G, 2A) followed by Jake Bergey with five points (2G, 3A), A.J. Shannon and Merrick Thomson each with two points (1G, 1A), and Jason Crosbie, Brett Moyer, and Jamie Rooney all with one goal each. Goaltender Brandon Miller made 45 saves on the night.

Leading the Lumberjax in scoring were Dan Dawson with seven points (6G, 1A), Derek Malawsky with five points (1G, 4A), Cory Conway and Pete Jacobs each with three points (1G, 2A), and Brodie Merrill with one goal. Goaltender Matt Disher made 50 saves.

For a complete scoring of tonight's game, log on to Pointstreak.com - Hockey, Lacrosse, Soccer Stats - Real-time Scoring and League Management System .

Notes: Wings forward Athan Iannucci needs one goal to tie Gary Gait's single season goal scoring record for the NLL. Iannucci will have another opportunity tomorrow night when the Wings head to St. Paul, MN to face the Minnesota Swarm at Xcel Energy Center.

The Wings face the Minnesota Swarm tomorrow night at Xcel Energy Center at 8:00 p.m. before returning home to the Wachovia Center on Saturday, April 19 to face the New York Titans 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 Complex Box Office.

**truebluefan** · 04-16-2008, 08:56 PM

Portland LumberJax (5-9) forward Dan Dawson (6 goals, 1 assist) tied a career-high and matched a franchise-high with six goals, but the Philadelphia Wings (9-4) scored six of the final seven goals to win 13-10 in front of 9,195 at the Rose Garden Arena Friday night. The attendance, combined with last Saturday's crowd of 10,359, was the largest ever regular season back-to-back home crowds in franchise history.

Wings forward Athan Ianucci, who came into the game seven goals from tying the National Lacrosse League single-season scoring mark at 61, scored six goals and will have another opportunity to set the record Saturday night when the Wings play in Minnesota against the Swarm.

Dawson's goal scoring binge started right away, 44-seconds into the frame off passes from forward Derek Malawsky (1 goal, 4 assists) and forward Ryan Powell (5 assists). 37-seconds later, Malawsky buried Portland's second goal off a pass from rookie forward Cory Conway (1 goal, 2 assists).

The Jax continued their hot start as All-Star defenseman Brodie Merrill (1 goal, 16 loose balls) scored off a pass from Dawson with 12:30 left in the first quarter to make it 3-0.

After a Portland turnover in the Philadelphia end, Wings goalie Brandon Miller sent an outlet pass to Ianucci, who beat Jax goalie Matt Disher with 2:31 left in the first to make it 3-1.

Ianucci got another, this time with 12:05 left in the second quarter on a delayed power play to make it 3-2. However, Portland doubled the lead at 4-2 as rookie forward Peter Jacobs (1 goal, 2 assists) scored with 11:01 left off passes from forward Spencer Martin and Malawsky.

After the Wings scored two goals to tie the game with 10:12 left in the half, Dawson came back with his patented up and under move, beating Miller through the five-hole with 5:16 left in the half to give the Jax a 5-4 advantage heading into the break.

Portland wasted little time opening the second half as Dawson scored with 13:23 left in the third quarter to make it 6-4. The goal was Dawson's 30th of the season and makes for the fourth straight season in which he has scored 30 goals or more. The goal was Dawson's third of the game and only the beginning of what he had planned for his regular season home encore.

With 10:43 left in the third, Dawson rolled off a screen from defenseman Richard Morgan and fired a shot past Miller to make it 7-4. Powell and defenseman David Morgan fed Dawson for his fourth goal of the game.

The reeling Wings were able to score the next three goals before Dawson blitzed his fifth goal of the game with 8-seconds left to make it 8-7 after three quarters of play.

27-seconds into the fourth quarter, Conway delivered the Nolan Ryan express, blowing a shot past a dazed Miller to make it 9-7.

Trailing by two, The Wings would score six of the next seven goals to go on and win 13-10. Four of the six were scored by Ianucci.

Portland's final goal came from Dawson off passes from forward Peter Morgan and defenseman Pat Jones.

Disher, making his third start for the Jax, stopped 51 of the 63 shots he faced. His 51 saves were a season-high for the nine-year veteran.

The Jax return to action on Friday, April 18 when they meet the San Jose Stealth at 7:30 p.m. at the HP Pavilion in San Jose.

Notes: Powell has scored at least one point in the 41 career regular season games he's appeared in with Portland...Powell has tallied an assist in 40 straight regular season games...P. Morgan has scored in the 44 career regular season games he's appeared in with Portland...The previous largest regular season back-to-back home crowds was 19,549, which were the combined games on 1/21/06 and 1/28/06.

**truebluefan** · 04-16-2008, 08:56 PM

The Philadelphia Wings suffered a heartbreaking 15-14 overtime loss to the Minnesota Swarm at the Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul, MN. Forward Athan Iannucci scored three goals, tying and breaking the NLL's single season goal scoring record on his first and second goals of the night. The Wings will return home again on Saturday, April 19 to face the New York Titans at 7:30 p.m.

"This was an incredibly challenging weekend with the back to back games and some of the travel challenges we faced," said Wings' Head Coach Dave Huntley. "I'm very proud of how these guys came back in the second half." The Wings scored three quick goals in the first quarter, to take a 3-1 lead 4:37 into the game. Minnesota then scored nine consecutive goals to take a 10-3 lead over Philadelphia at the half. Wings' goaltender Rob Blasdell was pulled 4:56 into the second quarter after the Swarm's eighth goal of the game, in favor of Brandon Miller.

For the second straight night, the Wings offense came alive in the second half as the Wings outscored the Swarm 7-1 in the third quarter. Forward Athan Iannucci tied the NLL's single season goal scoring record of 61 on a power play goal at 6:04 and broke the record with his 61st goal of the season on an even-strength goal at 8:52 in the third. After three quarters of play, the Wings had narrowed the Swarm's lead to 11-10.

Geoff Snider scored the game tying goal for the Wings at 11:29 followed by a goal from David Mitchell at 12:06 to give the Wings a 14-13 lead. The Swarm tied the game with just :01 left on a power play goal by former Wing Dan Marohl. Minnesota's Sean Pollack scored the game winner 1:19 into the overtime period.

Leading the Wings in scoring were Athan Iannucci with six points (3G, 3A), Merrick Thomson with five points (2G, 3A), Geoff Snider with three goals, AJ Shannon with three points (1G, 2A), David Mitchell and Drew Westervelt with two goals, and Jamie Rooney with two points (1G, 1A). Goaltender Rob Blasdell made 10 saves and Brandon Miller made 29.

Leading the Swarm in scoring were Andy Secore with six points (3G, 3A), Chad Culp and Ryan Ward with five points (3G, 2A), Dan Marohl, Craig Point and Sean Pollack with three points (1G, 2A), Eric Pacey and Jon Sullivan with two points (1G, 1A), and Colin Auerbach with one goal. Goaltender Nick Patterson made 35 saves.

For a complete scoring of tonight's game, log on to Pointstreak.com - Hockey, Lacrosse, Soccer Stats - Real-time Scoring and League Management System .

The Wings face the New York Titans on Saturday, April 19 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 Complex Box Office.

The Philadelphia Wings are owned and operated by Philadelphia Wings L.P. whose principal owners are Russ Cline, Chris Fritz, and Michael French. Comcast-Spectacor serves as the marketing, promotional, advertising, sponsorship, and publicity arm of the Wings.

**truebluefan** · 04-16-2008, 08:57 PM

The New York Titans opened the second quarter with a five-goal run that proved to be the difference in a 14-10 victory over the Colorado Mammoth on Saturday night.

Mike McLellan scored two of his team-leading four goals during the run, helping the Titans build a 9-4 halftime lead before a crowd of 6,337 at Madison Square Garden.

The Mammoth, which has already clinched a playoff spot in the National Lacrosse League's West Division, fell to 7-6. The Titans improved to 7-6 and helped their playoff chances in the log jammed East Division race.

Chris Gill led the Mammoth with four goals, three on the power play, and Jamie Shewchuk had a game-high seven assists. Gavin Prout chipped in with three goals and three assists.

Casey Powell and Brendan Mundorf each tallied two goals and four assists to lead the Titans to victory in their first meeting with the Mammoth.

Goaltender Chris Levis, who relieved starter Gee Nash, took the loss for Colorado after making 21 saves on 27 shots. Nash, who stopped 14 of 21 shots, was replaced after the Titans' five-goal outburst. Matt Vinc made 35 saves and earned the victory in goal for New York.

**truebluefan** · 04-16-2008, 08:58 PM

With the NLL playoff race heating up in the final few weeks, the Rock played host to the Chicago Shamrox tonight at the ACC. The game would prove to be a high scoring affair and despite a spectacular showing by Mike Poulin in net, replacing Bob Watson who was out with an injury, the Rock lost another heartbreaker in overtime, 13-12.

The Rock would start the high scoring game on a goal by Blaine Manning and following up with two more goals by Derek Suddons and Lewis Ratcliff, both short hopping their way into the net. The lead was short lived however as Chicago would rattle off three quick goals to tie the game at three apiece midway through the first quarter. The Shamrox would score two more goals, one with a six man offense in place, in the final two minutes to close the quarter up, 5-3.

The second quarter began better for the Rock after a great save by goaltender Mike Poulin early in the quarter that led to a breakaway goal by defender Scott Campbell. Chicago scored 20 seconds later but Aaron Wilson would maximize the man advantage on a Shamrox penalty to pull Toronto within one at the 2:49 mark. Ryan Benesch tied the game midway through the second on a highlight reel move that brought the fans to their feet before Chicago added one more late in the second. Benesch scored his second of the night and Toronto's defense would take over to fend off a couple transition chances for the opposition in the last minute leading into the break with the score tied 7-7.

Toronto would strike first early in the third quarter on a great shot by a diving Blaine Manning that caught the top corner of the net followed a minute later by another from Kasey Beirnes to equal Toronto's largest lead at two goals. The Shamrox took the lead through the third with three unanswered goals before Jim Veltman would put one in to tie the game up at ten apiece. Chicago scored once more but the Rock defense shut out the Shamrox in the last five minutes of the third to keep the game close with a score of 11-10.

Scoring his second goal of the game to begin the fourth quarter, Derek Suddons scooped up a loose ball for a breakaway goal at the 1:06 mark and Mike Poulin was excellent between the pipes in the fourth quarter stopping some sure goals and helping to anchor the Rock defense keeping them in the game. Toronto would take the lead on a power play goal by Blaine Manning before Chicago would respond one minute later.

The final five minutes would prove to be the most frenzied of regulation as both teams were looking to put the other away and it was the Rock that had the last chance to score in the final ten seconds but a shot by Manning came off the crossbar forcing the game into overtime. Chicago's Mat Giles would put in the game winner only 1:31 seconds into overtime to close a heartbreaker for the Rock with a final score of 13-12 for the Shamrox.

The Toronto Rock were led by both Blaine Manning (3 goals, 3 assists) and Lewis Ratcliff (1 goal, 5 assists). Ryan Benesch followed with five points (2 goals, 3 assists) and despite large shoes to fill and a great stand between the pipes through the game, Mike Poulin would tally the loss in his first entire game of the season.

The Shamrox were led by Jason Clark who tallied seven points (2 goals, 5 assists) and goaltender Matt Roik would garner the win.

This loss now puts the Rock at an even 7-7 record still within the playoff picture and the team will travel to Calgary next weekend on Saturday March 19th to face the Roughnecks, who are sitting close to the bottom of the West Division.

**truebluefan** · 04-16-2008, 08:59 PM

The National Lacrosse League playoff race has continued to heat up more and more each week. With only two weeks left of regular season play, both the East and West Divisions are separated by no more than three-and-a-half games. In the Wild West Division, two spots have been claimed by the San Jose Stealth and Colorado Mammoth. The other two spots are left for the Calgary Roughnecks, Edmonton Rush and Portland LumberJax.

To help solidify their playoff berth, the Jax (5-9) travel to San Jose to meet the Stealth (8-6) on Friday, April 18 at 7:30 p.m. at the HP Pavilion. This is the third and final regular season meeting between the two division rivals. Of the eight all-time meetings, six have been won by the road club. Both meetings this season were also won by the visiting team.

The Stealth, who clinched a playoff spot with their 14-6 win over Edmonton on Sunday, enter the game with a half game lead over the Colorado Mammoth for first place in the West. The Mammoth and Stealth wrap up the regular season on Friday, April 25 in a game that will likely determine first place.

In the first meeting between the Jax and Stealth in Portland on April 5, San Jose used a 9-0 run to turn a 4-2 deficit into an 11-4 lead. A late Portland charge cut the Stealth lead to 11-9, but San Jose ultimately pulled out the 12-9 victory.

The next day, both teams met again, this time in San Jose. Keeping up with the theme of the series, the road team won. Down 7-5 in the third quarter, the Jax put together a game defining 4-0 run that changed the momentum for good.

All-Star forward Dan Dawson lead led the Jax with six points (2 goals, 4 assists) and forward Ryan Powell notched a hat trick and two assists. Defenseman Richard Morgan added an empty net goal with 5-seconds remaining to give Portland a 12-10 win.

Starting his second game for Portland, goalie Matt Disher stopped 42 of the 52 shots he faced. Disher and the rest of the Portland defense was instrumental as the Jax held the Stealth scoreless over a 12-minute period during the end of the third quarter and beginning of the fourth. Conveniently, Portland went on its 4-0 run as the defense closed San Jose down for over 12-minutes.

Portland can clinch a playoff berth this weekend with a win over San Jose on Friday evening and at least one Edmonton loss. The Rush (4-9) have a home-and-home series with the Mammoth on Friday and Saturday. Two Edmonton losses would also clinch Portland's second ever postseason berth.

The Jax can also assure themselves of a playoff spot by taking a page out of Oakland Raiders Owner Al Davis's book: "Just win, baby." Winning the final two regular season games (San Jose and Buffalo) would assure Portland of a playoff spot, regardless of what Edmonton and Calgary do the rest of their respective seasons.

The playoffs are there for the taking. Now, it's simply up to the Jax to decide where they finish.

**truebluefan** · 04-16-2008, 09:00 PM

With just two weekends of games left in the National Lacrosse League's 2008 regular season, every team is still alive in the hunt for the playoffs. Colorado and San Jose, the only two teams that have clinched a playoff berth, are battling for the West Division title, while the other ten clubs have their eyes on the six remaining playoff spots.

In the East, Minnesota (9-4) and Philadelphia (9-5) can each secure a playoff berth with a win this weekend, while Buffalo (8-6) and New York (7-6) can clinch with wins and some help. Rochester (7-7), Toronto (7-7) and Chicago (5-7) all remain in playoff contention.

In the West, Calgary (5-9), Portland (5-9) and Edmonton (4-9) are competing for the two remaining playoff berths. Each team still controls its own destiny and is guaranteed a post-season berth if they win their remaining games.

The league has determined the following with respect to the playoffs entering the upcoming weekend of games on April 18-19, the next to last weekend of the regular season:

East Division

MINNESOTA SWARM (9-4):

Clinches a playoff berth with a win against Rochester on Saturday. Other scenarios also exist. Clinches the East Division title with a win against Rochester on Saturday AND a Philadelphia loss to New York on Saturday AND a Buffalo loss to Chicago on Saturday.

PHILADELPHIA WINGS (9-5):

Clinches a playoff berth with a win over New York on Saturday. Other scenarios also exist.

BUFFALO BANDITS (8-6):

Clinches a playoff berth with a win over Chicago on Saturday AND a Rochester loss to Minnesota on Saturday AND a Toronto loss to Calgary on Saturday. Other scenarios also exist.

NEW YORK TITANS (7-6):

Clinches a playoff berth with two wins this weekend AND a Rochester loss to Minnesota on Saturday AND a Toronto loss to Calgary on Saturday. Other scenarios also exist.

West Division

SAN JOSE STEALTH (8-6):

Has clinched a playoff berth and a home playoff game. Can clinch the West Division title with a win over Portland on Friday AND two Colorado losses to Edmonton this weekend.

COLORADO MAMMOTH (7-6):

Has clinched a playoff berth. Can clinch a home playoff game with one win this weekend. Other scenarios also exist.

PORTLAND LUMBERJAX (5-9):

Clinches a playoff berth with a win at San Jose on Friday AND at least one Edmonton loss to Colorado this weekend. Clinches a playoff berth with two Edmonton losses to Colorado this weekend.

CALGARY ROUGHNECKS (5-9):

Clinches a playoff berth with a win against Toronto on Saturday AND two Edmonton losses to Colorado this weekend.

**truebluefan** · 04-16-2008, 09:01 PM

Philadelphia's Athan Iannucci was named Offensive Player and Overall Player of the Week. The 26-year-old right-hander scored nine goals in two games to become the league's all-time single season scoring leader, lifting his season total to 63, two better than Hall of Famer Gary Gait's 61 goals in 2003 with Colorado. Iannucci scored six goals in Philadelphia's 13-10 win at Portland on Friday, and chipped in three in the Wings' 15-14 overtime loss at Minnesota on Saturday. He also added five assists and 17 loose balls. Philadelphia (9-5) is currently in second place in the East.

Rochester's Pat O'Toole was named Defensive Player of the Week for the second time this season. The 36-year-old goaltender made 38 saves and held Buffalo's offense to just six goals in the Knighthawks' 11-6 win at Blue Cross Arena on Saturday. Rochester (7-7) is currently tied for fifth place in the East.

Calgary's Nolan Heavenor was named Transition Player of the Week. Despite suffering a broken nose, the 25-year-old right-hander recorded two goals, nine loose balls and won 10 of 13 faceoffs in the Roughnecks' 18-7 win over Edmonton on Saturday. Calgary (5-9) is currently tied for third place in the West.

San Jose's Tom Johnson was named Rookie of the Week. The 22-year-old left-hander recorded a career-high five points on two goals and three assists in the Stealth's 14-6 win over Edmonton on Sunday. San Jose (8-6) is currently in first place in the West.

Week 16 Results

Friday, April 11

Philadelphia 13 at Portland 10

Saturday, April 12

Philadelphia 14 at Minnesota 15 (OT)

Chicago 13 at Toronto 12

Edmonton 7 at Calgary 18

Buffalo 6 at Rochester 11

Colorado 10 at New York 14

Sunday, April 13

Edmonton 6 at San Jose 14

The Weekly Player Awards are determined by a vote of the General Managers and Head Coaches of the league's 12 teams.

**truebluefan** · 04-16-2008, 09:02 PM

Rochester Knighthawks goalie Pat O'Toole was named the National Lacrosse League's Defensive Player of the Week after his victory over the Buffalo Bandits last Saturday. The award marked the second this season O'Toole has received the defensive honors.

He captured Defensive and Overall Player of the Week accolades on February 12th after making 34 saves and allowing only four goals in the Knighthawks' 11-4 win over the Toronto Rock on February 9th.

This past weekend, O'Toole made 38 saves and held the high-powered Buffalo offense to just six goals in an 11-6 win at The Blue Cross Arena. He also chipped in two assists, which included an outlet pass to spring Steve Toll for a key shorthanded goal.

The Knighthawks (7-7) travel to Minnesota to play the Swarm (9-4) on Saturday, April 19th at 8:00 p.m. The game will be broadcast live on WYSL 1040-AM, wysl1040.com and B2 Networks.

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