|
|
|
Game Preview
|
31 December 1998
|
K'Hawks, Thunder Ring in New Year
with Battle in Baltimore
NLL Press Release
The Rochester Knighthawks are helping the National Lacrosse League exemplify the phrase "out with the old, in with the new". The team hosted the first game of the second NLL regular season on 26 December, the last weekend of 1998, and provide the opposition for the Baltimore Thunder this weekend, when the teams battle on Saturday night, 2 January 1999.
For Rochester, the hope is that 1999 is a happy new year.
The Knighthawks not only had their season opener -- played before a new Rochester record crowd of 9,415 -- spoiled when they lost 12-11 to the New York Saints this past Saturday night, but had their 1998 season ended by this weekend’s opponent in a semi-final playoff game last April in Baltimore. Those two losses, coupled with the four straight defeats Rochester was handed to close out the inaugural NLL season, means the visitors come in on a six-game losing streak. The Knighthawks have won just one of their last eight games, but ironically it was a 28 February contest that they won 15-14 last season in Baltimore.
The Thunder bring a storm front into Saturday night’s game that sets up a showdown worthy of the spotlight provided by this being the only game on the NLL schedule this weekend.
Gary Gait, the 1998 NLL MVP (who was also the League MVP of the Major Indoor Lacrosse League following 1995, 1996, and 1997), ran away with the league scoring title last season with 85 points in 12 games. Including an impressive opening night win over visiting Syracuse (23-13 last 3 January), the Thunder finished 8-4 in the regular season, just one game out of first place, and went to the NLL Championship Series, where they were swept in two games by Philadelphia. Now they look to begin what they feel is unfinished business. Joining the team on their journey through the 1999 NLL campaign is Chris Sanderson, a rookie from the University of Virginia who was the starting goalie this past summer on the Canadian National Team at the World Field Lacrosse Championships in Baltimore. The Thunder also have pro indoor lacrosse’s all-time leader in face-offs won now in their lineup. The team acquired veteran forward Rodney Tapp, who also played for Team Canada, via trade with the Syracuse Smash in the off-season.
A capsule look at Saturday night’s game:
Rochester Knighthawks at Baltimore Thunder
Broadcast Info.:
Radio:
Rochester: WHTK-AM (1280 AM)
Baltimore: WCBM-AM (680 AM)
Records:
Rochester 0-1
Baltimore 0-0
Injuries:
Rochester:
Brent Rothfuss - sprained ankle (12/13); out 2-4 weeks
Jeremy Hollenbeck - shoulder injury (12/30); probable
Baltimore:
David Daniecki - torn ACL; out four weeks
Notable: Besides the game mentioned on the previous page, the two clubs also met last year on 11 April in Rochester, with the visitors winning that time too, a 16-13 Thunder win. The Knighthawks lead the all-time regular season series 5-2...Baltimore is 6-6 in season opening games...Hollenbeck is Rochester’s leading scorer, having registered two goals and two assists in their loss last weekend...Knighthawks captain Randy Mearns is expected back in the lineup after missing the New York game due to a shoulder injury...Ryan Sanderson, who spent the last two years with the Buffalo Bandits, is the younger brother of his team’s starting goaltender...The Thunder will remain home to host the Toronto Rock next Saturday (9 January), while the Knighthawks will have a couple weeks off before returning to action in Week 5 when they take on the defending NLL champion Wings on Friday, 22 January in Philadelphia (Rochester hosts Syracuse the next night).
Tickets: At Baltimore Arena or Ticketmaster outlets, as well as through Ticketmaster charge-by-phone (410.481.SEAT).
-30-
|
