Once again the draft will be webcast live by www.GRUMPmedia.com.  Jake Elliott and Teddy Jenner will be there to discuss all of the picks as they occur. To follow the draft live, check out www.theboxrocks.com for the links.

Once the draft is completed, check right back here on LITG for the complete list of selections.

(Rochester, February 4)… The Rochester Knighthawks rallied from three goals down multiple times to defeat the Minnesota Swarm 16-14 Saturday night at The Blue Cross Arena. With the victory, Rochester improves to 2-3 on the season, while Minnesota falls to 1-2 overall with the loss.

Rochester was led by a nine-point night by Cody Jamieson (3+6) and a seven-point effort by Mike Accursi (2+5). Johnny Powless also had two goals and two assists, while Cory Vitarelli added six points (3+3). Minnesota was led by Ryan Benesch who had four goals and three assists. Jamie Shewchuk (2+4) and Jordan MacIntosh (3+1) also had solid games for the Swarm.

Minnesota started the scoring early with a goal from Benesch just over two minutes into the game. Keogh was quick to answer for the Knighthawks though, scoring less than a minute later to even the score at 1-1. The teams then went back and forth until Callum Crawford’s goal pushed the Swarm in front by two goals at 4-2. Mike Accursi was able to cut the deficit in half for Rochester with just over a minute remaining in the first, and Minnesota led 4-3 after one.

Powless got the second period started with a bang for Rochester, as his beautiful over-the-shoulder shot pulled the Knighthawks even at 4-4. The two teams then exchanged two goal rallies, first by MacIntosh and Corbyn Tao of the Swarm, followed by Travis Hill and Jamison of Rochester. With the score tied at 6-6, the Swarm used a three-goal rally to close the period, and took a 9-6 lead into the locker room.

Rochester started the second half with a two goal rally from Vitarelli and Powless that pulled them within a single goal. Minnesota quickly answered with goals from Benesch and Jay Card that pushed their lead back to 11-8. However, Rochester would not be denied and closed the half with three straight goals to pull even as the game went to the final period. Davis, Keogh and Jamieson scored in that rally.

Just over a minute into the fourth quarter, Vitarelli scored his third goal of the evening on a power play, and gave the Knighthawks their first lead of the game. Minnesota responded with two goals over a 26 second stretch to reclaim the lead with just over 10 minutes remaining. From there it was all Knighthawks, as Rochester scored four of the last five goals, and overcame a rough start to notch its second win of the season.

Rochester is next in action when they travel to Minnesota for Knighthawks vs. Swarm part-two next Sunday, February 12th at 3:00 p.m. The Knighthawks next home game will be Saturday, February 18th at 7:30 p.m. when they take on the Washington Stealth.

Scotiabank Saddledome – Calgary lacrosse fans (7,460) were taken on a rollercoaster ride of a game Saturday night. Unfortunately, their local heroes met defeat in overtime for the second straight week.

Calgary entered the match-up looking to recover from a loss in their home opener last week and take advantage of a Rock team that played the night before. Toronto had hopes of avenging a loss to Calgary back on January 8. This is the final time these teams meet this season.

The Roughnecks scored on their first shot of the game. Curtis Dickson blasted one from the point that beat Rock goalie Pat Campbell. Dane Dobbie made it 2-0 for the hosts three minutes later by completing a give ’n’ go down the middle. Then, it got exciting.

Off the draw, Calgary face-off specialist, Geoff Snider, carried the ball deep into Toronto’s zone. Snider managed to keep control of the ball behind the net while fighting off two defenders. He lost the ball when he was struck in the head, but no penalty was called. A scrum ensued and Campbell charged out of his crease, starting a fight with Snider. Snider quickly removed Campbell’s helmet and shoulder pads and let the fists fly. The fight ended once Snider slipped on the downed goalie equipment. Both received five for fighting and Campbell received an additional two minutes for instigator and a game misconduct.

Toronto soon tied the game (2-2) by mid-quarter with goals by Josh Sanderson and Garrett Billings. The teams were tied 3-3 by the end of the first.

The second quarter was a mirror image of the first. The Rock built a two goal lead and chased Calgary starter Mike Poulin from the net. This made way for Nick Rose to make his first appearance in net for the Riggers. Calgary quickly fought back to tie the game 5-5. The teams finished the half tied 6-6.

The opening thirty minutes was very entertaining with good tempo and high intensity from both teams.

Calgary regained their two goal lead (9-7) at 5:06 of the third on a shot by Peter McFetridge through the 5-hole of Matt Roik. Again, Toronto fought back and looked to take the lead 11-10 as Stephen Leblanc dove across the crease to put one past Rose. The Necks challenged the play and the goal was called back for crease violation. When the Rock did eventually score their 11th, Poulin was recalled to his post in front of the net. The third ended with the teams tied 11-11 and the scoring see-saw continued.

Poulin was solid for almost a full quarter and Calgary was ahead by two once more (13-11). The Riggers tightened up their defence and made it difficult for the Rock to get anything together.

Still ahead by one goal with 1:42 remaining, Calgary managed their time well and maintained possession for over a minute. Toronto gained control of the ball at 34 seconds and quickly called a timeout.

Billings scored the tying goal with 10.4 seconds on the clock. On the play, Poulin attempted to scoop a loose ball up from behind his net, but a Toronto attacker checked his stick and passed it out front.

The Necks engineered one last shot with 5.9 seconds remaining, however Roik was there to meet the challenge.

Cam Woods found the back of the net at 1:05 of the extra quarter. Necks’ forward, Scott Ranger, lost possession of the ball moments after crossing centre, allowing Toronto the opportunity for the game winner.

The Calgary Roughnecks and Toronto Rock find themselves with identical records of 2-2. They are tied for second place in their respective divisions.

Calgary has a bye week, then visits Washington on February 10.
Toronto heads to Philadelphia on February 4.

Other Notes:

Calgary sniper Dane Dobbie left the game in the 2nd quarter and did not return. He had 1 goal and 3 helpers at the time.

Calgary leaders:
Curtis Dickson 3-3, Shawn Evans 2-3, Daryl Veltman /Jeff Shattler 2-2

Toronto leaders:
Joash Sanderson 3-6, Garrett Billings 3-4, Dan Carey 2-0

(Denver, January 28)… The Rochester Knighthawks’ second-half comeback fell just short in Denver tonight, as the Colorado Mammoth earned a 14-11 victory over the K-Hawks at Pepsi Center. The Knighthawks fell to 1-3 after their second straight road loss in two nights.
 
Despite falling behind by five in the first half, Rochester came out determined and scored five out of the first seven goals in the third. The Knighthawks got within 12-11 when Cody Jamieson (2+3) scored at 5:57. However, a power-play goal by Sean Pollock and a breakaway goal by Creighton Reid put the game out of reach. Cory Vitarelli (2+2), Mike Accursi (3+3), Stephen Keogh (2+3), and Jamieson (2+3) led the Knighthawks in points.
 
John Grant Jr. powered the Mammoth with seven points (3+4), while Gavin Prout (1+3), Pollock (3+2), and Jamie Lincoln (3+1) helped Colorado secure the win. The 4-0 start ties the second best start to a season in the team’s 10-year history. The Mammoth record of five was set in 2008.
 
The Mammoth came out firing taking an early 4-1 lead with a goal by Pollock, Adam Jones, Lincoln, and Prout. Keogh decreased the Mammoth’s lead to 4-2, but Colorado’s Grant Jr. scored just 17 seconds later to put Colorado up 5-2. Colorado continued to click on offense in the second quarter, scoring four out of the six goals to make the score at 9-4 Colorado at half.
 
The Knighthawks stormed back and at 7:07 of the third, Accursi brought Rochester within two, giving Colorado a 10-8 lead. Rochester came within two again in the fourth at 12-10 when Accursi posted a hat-trick at 4:51. Jamieson’s follow-up goal made it 12-11, but Colorado tightened its defense in the latter half of the fourth to secure a 13-11 win and keep its undefeated season intact.
 
On Saturday, February 4th, the Knighthawks will host the Minnesota Swarm at 7:30 p.m. The first 3,000 fans will take home a Chris Schiller bobblehead. The Urology Associates of Rochester will hold their annual Men’s Health Night. Fans can bid on special game-worn jerseys on www.gobuyrochester.com.
 
Meet the Knighthawks: Remember Blast Lacrosse, the video game? Well, here is your chance to take on the players in the first NLL video game. Meet Stephen Keogh, former Knighthawk Jake Coon and other K-Hawks legends from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. at the Stock Exchange Restaurant (first floor of the first Federal Plaza at 28 East Main Street).Fans can also enter a raffle to win Knighthawks tickets and prizes. Make sure to also meet the Knightingales. Stop by the “No Limits Lacrosse” Show, which will tape its show from the Stock Exchange. The show will air on Saturday, February 4th at 10:00 a.m. on Sportsradio 950 ESPN and www.sportsradio950espn.com.

The 2011 Minto Cup Champion Whitby Warriors had six graduating players drafted Saturday in the 2012 Major Series Lacrosse draft.  Mark Matthews and John Lafontaine were protected by the Brooklin Redmen prior to the draft (per league rules only 2 Junior affiliated graduating players are permitted to be protected).  Shayne Jackson went 1st overall, and was drafted by the Ajax Rock. With three of the next four picks in the first round, Brooklin drafted Nick Diachenko, Adrian Sorichetti, and goaltender Zack Higgins.  The Redmen also later drafted Steve Fryer, capturing both goaltenders from last season’s thrilling Minto Cup final. Orangeville’s Craig England went 3rd overall to the Rock as well.  Brampton’s Kyle Davis and Bulrington’s Josh Ruys rouned out the 1st round selections going to Ajax and Brooklin respectively.

The first round consisted of seven picks, Brooklin having a pick from the now defunct St. Regis team in a prior trade.  Some wheeling and dealing on draft day, along with trades in previous years allowed Brooklin and Ajax to own the first round. Four of the first seven picks were owned by the Redmen, with the Rock holding the other three.

LITG was there to capture all of the selections and trades and that list can be found here in an earlier post.

League Realingment

Other news for the meeting was a new setup for the league; consisting of two divisions.  There will now be an East and West division.  The East will consist of Peterborough, Ajax, and Brooklin, while the West will hold KW, Brampton, and Six Nations.  The teams will play a 14 game regular season.  A double home and home wil lbe played within the division, with a single home and home being played against teams in the other division.

All Star Game

The league will also play an All-Star Game in 2012.  Fittingly, the great fans in Peterborough will be entertained this coming Summer, seeing the best the MSL has to offer.  The 2011 Lakers will take the floor against the best of the rest of the league.  The game time and date is to be determined.  More info will be forthcoming.

Check out LITG or www.majorserieslacrosse.com for more news.

Brampton trades 2012 3rd, 4th, and 5th round picks to KW for KW’s 2013 2nd round pick.

Brooklin trades MSL rights to Glen Bryan to KW for KW’s 2012 1st round pick and 3rdd round pick in 2014.

Ajax trades their 2nd 2012 4th round pick to Six Nations for a player to be named later or future considerations.

Brooklin trades their 2012 5th round pick to Brampton for Brampton’s 2013 5th round pick.

The 2012 Major Series Lacrosse draft is being held this Saturday January 28 in Whitby, Ontario.  The meeting is slated for 1pm and the draft should be starting around 2pm.  Check here on LITG for live updates from the draft. 

Below is the tentative draft order (could change due to last minute trades). Note in round 1 there are 7 picks, due to a trade between Brooklin and St. Regis (no longer in the league). That trade needs to be honored.   Also included is the list of protected Junior graduates for each team (maximum of two).

By Tom Frank, Lacrosse Inside the Game correspondent
Photos by Marcelo Saguez

Scotiabank Saddledome – Colorado Mammoth captain, Gavin Prout, scored 45 seconds into the extra quarter to keep his team undefeated (3-0) and give them sole-possession of first place in the NLL’s West Division. Calgary dropped to second.

The Riggers’ Shawn Evans was called for tripping 29 seconds into overtime as he attempted to recover a dropped ball. This led to Prout’s opportunity, and game winner, on the ensuing power play.

Scott Ranger had the chance to win the game for Calgary with 2.2 seconds in regulation, but his shot ricocheted off the crossbar into the stands.

Colorado opened the scoring, 47 seconds into the match, as John Grant Jr. found Sean Pollock all alone in front of the net. The teams traded goals before Calgary rattled off 4 straight markers to take a 5-2 lead. The Mammoth scored with just over a minute remaining in the quarter to cut the Riggers lead to two. Grant’s assist on the goal marked his 1,000th point in his 12 year career.

Calgary looked tentative in the opening frame, but gained momentum as time progressed. Shots on goal favoured the Necks 22-10.

The Mammoth tallied three straight goals to start the second quarter as they took advantage of Calgary’s penalty woes and regained the lead 6-5. At 1:20, Kaleb Toth was called for Delay of Game. Twenty seconds later, Dane Dobbie was called for Unsportsmanlike Conduct and the Necks were called for Illegal Substitution. This allowed Grant to score on a penalty shot and Prout potted his first power play marker.

Calgary recovered and battled back to reclaim their two goal lead finishing the half 9-7.

Geoff Snider dominated the face-off circle, winning all 15 draws in the first half.

There was a much faster pace in the second. The Riggers used their possession time effectively and Mike Poulin was sharp in net.

Ball possession went back and forth to start the third frame until Evans found the back of the net at 7:27 on the powerplay. Calgary had a four goal lead at one point 11-7, but Grant grabbed a short-handed goal and Hopcroft scored his second of the game to stay within two of the Necks 11-9.
Curtis Manning scored on a breakaway at 3:03 of the fourth to give Calgary a three goal lead. Unfortunately, they couldn’t hang on and the Mammoth fought back to tie the game on a power play goal by Adam Jones.

With 1:58 remaining, Colorado thought they had scored the go ahead goal, but it was ruled “No Goal” after video review. Peter McFetridge was stopped on his breakaway attempt with one minute left, by former Roughneck goalie, Chris Levis.

The Roughnecks host the Toronto Rock (0-2) next Saturday for their second meeting of the season, while the Mammoth entertain the Rochester Knighthawks (1-1) at the Pepsi Center in Denver.

OTHER NOTES:

Daryl Veltman lead Calgary scorers (3, 3); Shawn Evans (2, 3); Scott Ranger (2,1).

Colorado’s Grant lead all scorers (4, 6); Adam Jones (3, 3); Gavin Prout (2, 4).

John Grant Jr. became the fifth player in the NLL to reach 1,000 points. The milestone came with his assist on Derek Hopcroft’s goal, late in the first quarter.

Other members of the 1,000 point club include – John Tavares, Gary Gait, Colin Doyle and Josh Sanderson.

The Calgary Roughnecks and Edmonton Rush have reached an agreement with Sportsnet to televise all four of their head-to-head match-ups this season.

The dates are:
Sat. Feb 18 7pm MT SN (West /Pacific)
Fri. Mar 9 9pm ET SN One
Sat. Mar 10 7pm MT SN (West /Pacific)
Sat. Apr 21 9pm ET SN One

For more pics from last nights game, check out the LITG Facebook Page – http://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Lacrosse-Inside-The-Game/205095451553

(Philadelphia, January 14)… The Rochester Knighthawks used one of the best offensive efforts in their 18-year history tonight in a 22-12 victory over the Philadelphia Wings. Jordan Hall tied his career-high with nine points in a game that also featured over 200 penalty minutes. It was a milestone night for a handful of Rochester players, as three Knightawks had nine-point nights. 

Hall scored twice and added seven assists, while Cody Jamieson set career bests in assists (five) and points (nine). Mike Accursi joined the nine-point club with a three-goal, six-assist night. Cory Vitarelli scored a career-high five goals in a six-point effort. Meanwhile, Travis Hill got into the goal-scoring column with a career-high two goals. The 22-goal effort was just two goals short of tying the team record of 24 set in 2002.

The battle of the top picks in the NLL went to the Knighthawks as Johnny Powless scored three times and added two assists and Stephen Keogh netted two goals and chipped in two assists. Keogh was the second overall pick, while Powless was the fifth selection. The No. 1 overall pick was Kevin Crowley, who led the Wings with three goals and five assists.

Dan Dawson (6+1) and Mike Hominuck (2+3) each had big games offensively. Goalie Brandon Miller was pulled after 36:06 minutes of play and was replaced by Kurtis Wagar, who posted 26 saves on 39 shots. The game was the first of three meetings between the two teams. The Knighthawks now lead the series with a 24-15 record.

Rochester came soaring out of the gate with the first two goals of the game to take a quick 2-0 lead. The first came from transition man Jordan Hall at 2:02 and the second came from Cody Jamieson assisted by Jarrett Davis at 5:38 on a shot that sneaked past the stick side of Philadelphia goalie Brandon Miller.

Philadelphia put its first point of the board at 5:49 on a breakaway goal for Max Seibald. Rochester continued its momentum after Seibald’s goal, scoring the next four with two coming from rookies Keogh and Powless. Keogh scored his first regular season NLL goal, increasing Rochester’s lead to 3-1 as he came across a pick and went five-hole on Miller. Next, Powless seared a shot from the left point scoring top shelf. Hill then scored making it 5-1 Knighthawks. The last goal of the first quarter came from Vitarelli at 14:51 as he one-handed a shot past Miller for a 6-1 lead.

The tables quickly turned in favor of Philadelphia as the Wings started the second quarter with five straight goals to tie the score at six. After Drew Westervelt opened the quarter with a quick strike just 22 second in, the Wings strung together four more goals. The rally was fueled by a five-minute cross-checking penalty by Hall. Crowley had two of the goals, while Hominuck and Dawson netted single tallies. Rochester then regained the momentum with three straight goals. The first was a power-play goal by Jamieson at 8:29, which was followed by a goal by Mike Accursi at 9:24, and a power-play goal by Keogh at 13:14.

The Knighthawks will host the Buffalo Bandits (1-0) in their home opener at 7:30 p.m. at The Blue Cross. The Knighthawks will honor their Millionth Fan on Saturday, January 21st with a trip for two to Las Vegas (hotel, airfare and $2,000 cash). The Knighthawks will raffle off a second trip to Vegas (hotel and airfare) between the third and fourth quarters. Fans have until halftime to register at the Guest Services Booth. The first 5,000 fans will receive a T-shirt. Knighthawks individual tickets are on sale at all Ticketmaster outlets, ticketmaster.com, and at The Blue Cross Arena Box Office or by calling 1-800-745-3000.–

Buffalo – The Toronto Rock are now 0-2 on the season after a 14-10 loss to the Buffalo Bandits on Saturday night south of the border at First Niagara Center.

The Rock opened with a goal from Colin Doyle and carried a heavy advantage in ball possession time in the opening minutes but failed to cash in on some great looks. The Bandits responded with a pair of their own taking a 2-1 lead. Just as quickly, Kasey Beirnes scored on the powerplay followed by Sandy Chapman just seconds later off the ensuing faceoff to give the visiting Rock the lead back 3-2. Before the end of the quarter, the Bandits knotted the score at 3-3.

The two teams exchanged goals early in the second quarter as the Rock built their biggest lead of the opening 30 minutes, going up 6-4. Kevin Buchanan scored shorthanded for the Bandits late in the first half drawing Buffalo to within one goal at the half.

Buffalo rattled off three straight to surge ahead 8-6, but the Rock broke that up with a quick pair of goals coming from Doyle and Bill Greer. Seemingly just as quick, the Bandits again answered the pair of Rock goals with two more of their own to take a 10-8 lead through three quarters.

Buffalo extended their run to 5 goals and held a 13-8 lead. The Rock buried a couple of goals to draw to within three goals late in the fourth quarter. Numerous attempts to score with the goalie pulled and an extra attacker on the floor failed and the Bandits added another one into the empty net to seal the 14-10 win.

Leading the way offensively for the Rock was the Captain Colin Doyle scoring 4 goals and adding an assist. Garrett Billings also put up five points in the loss with a goal and four helpers.

Doyle played in his 187th consecutive game drawing him to within one game of the NLL’s all-time consecutive games played streak of 188, a record held by former Toronto defender Steve Toll.

Blaine Manning played in his 162nd consecutive game – the all-time record for most consecutive games with one team – but left in the first half after breaking his collarbone and will be sidelined indefinitely. Overall including playoffs Manning had played in 177 consecutive games.

The Rock have a rare week off before playing back-to-back games at the end of the month. Friday, January 27th Toronto returns home to face the Rochester Knighthawks at Air Canada Centre. The following night, the Rock travel to Calgary to face the Roughnecks. Both games can be seen live on TSN2.

The Toronto Rock and Calgary Roughnecks opened up their 2012 season on Sunday night at the Air Canada Centre in Toronto. It was a special evening for all Rock players, and fans as they hoisted the 2011 Championship banner prior to the game.

And the Rock opened up the way they ended their 2011 season; simply put, on fire! Toronto made the first quarter their own scoring five times, while Calgary was held scoreless. Of course as we have seen so many times in past seasons, the Roughnecks returned the favour in quarters two and three, scoring seven of the next eight goals of the game en route to a 12-9 road win.

Toronto held leads of 5-0 after one quarter, and 6-3 at the half. Calgary then took over the second half tying the game at 8-8 after three, and outscoring Toronto 4-1 in the final frame for the win.

Matt Roik started in net for Toronto, stopping 32 of 44 shots. Mike Poulin who was in net for Calgary stopped 21 of 30 shots.

Dane Dobbie was huge on the night for Calgary scoring 3 and assisting on 3 others.Newly acquired Shawn Evans scored twice as did Scott Ranger. Singles went to Scott Ranger, Cory Conway, Daryl Veltman, Mike Carnegie and Curtis Dickson. Dickson would also add 4 assists.

For Toronto, nine different players scored once each; Sandy Chapman, Colin Doyle, Stephen Hoar, Garrett Billings, Dan Carey, Blaine Manning, Phil Sanderson, Josh Sanderson, and Kasey Biernes. Doyle also added 3 assists.

It ended up being a see saw affair, but was one that the Rock looked to put away early. Calgary showed grit and determination battling back to take a very raucous Toronto crowd back out of the game as they were flying high early on.

Other Notes:

- LITG was denied Press access this season to the Rock home games, therefore all game recaps this season will be done from the remote couch (thanks to TSN). However, we will still be in Calgary reporting from all of the Roughnecks home games.