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May 12, 2007

Sting falls in NLL title game

By Russell Brooks

The Rochester Knighthawks claimed the National Lacrosse League championship with a 13-11 win over the Arizona Sting on Saturday afternoon.

John Grant was named the game's Most Valuable Player after notching three goals and five assists in front of season high 9,796 fans in the matinee at the Jobing.Com Arena. Mike Accursi contributed three goals and two assists for the Knighthawks, who won their first NLL championship since 1997.

Craig Conn led the Sting attack with five goals and three assists including 13 shots on goal. Forward Dan Dawson added a goal and seven assists for Arizona, which made its second trip to the Champion's Cup Final since 2005.

Rochester goaltender Pat O'Toole was essential in the victory for Rochester making 42 saves in the game, including several big saves towards the end that preserved the win for the Knighthawks.

Rochester got off to a strong start scoring two goals early to take the early lead. A late goal by Dawson cut the Knighthawks lead to one goal headed into the second quarter. A five-goal run in the second quarter that spanned in less then six minutes was responsible for the Knighthawks 7-4 lead headed into the locker room.

Down 11-6, a minute into the fourth quarter, the Sting started a four-goal rally to bring them within one goal and the crowd to their feet, but that was as close at Arizona got.

Two Knighthawks goals by Bill Greer and Shawn Williams killed Arizona's momentum and sealed the victory for Rochester, who won their fifteenth straight contest posting back to the regular season.

Rochester made the Champion's Cup Final for the sixth time in franchise history after beating the Buffalo Bandits in 14-13 in overtime. This contest was originally scheduled to be held in Rochester, but was moved to Arizona after a scheduling conflict at the Blue Cross Arena.

In a low-penalty affair, Rochester went 2-for-3 on the power play, while Arizona was 3-for-5 with the man advantage.

Williams had a hat trick for Rochester, while Bill Greer, Chris Schiller, Stephen Hoar and Steve Toll each scored the Knighthawks.

Peter Veltman registered two tallies for the Sting and Andy Secore, Derek Malawsky and Matt Brown all contributed goals for Arizona.

Arizona reached the Champion's Cup Final after beating San Jose 9-7.

Sting goaltender Rob Blasdell was strong for Arizona making 48 saves on the afternoon. Blasdell, a starter in the all-star game, was strong down the stretch keeping the team in the contest as they made a late push to tie the game.