Game Preview: Rock @ Knighthawks

Game Preview: Knighthawks @Rock
Saturday, March 15th, 2014 @ 7:00PM
Game Broadcast: TSN

The Rock are coming off a bye week after dropping two games in Alberta to the Edmonton Rush 11-10 and the Calgary Roughnecks 19-13. They entered the midway point of the season with a disappointing 4-6 record, going 4-1 at home and 0-5 on the road.

Despite a losing record, there is optimism in Toronto.  February’s player of the month, Garrett Billings 20G-50A-70PTS sits atop the league leaders in scoring heading into this week’s game against the Rochester Knighthawks. Stephan Leblanc is 2^nd in the league in goals scored with 29 and has already surpassed last years total of 22.

The Rock will be looking for redemption this week as they have dropped both meetings with the Knighthawks this season, the first was an 12-8 loss in Rochester on January 18^th, the second a 17-9 loss at the Air Canada Centre on February 15^th.

Heading into tonight’s game, the Rock sit third in the East Division, three and a half games back of the Buffalo Bandits and three games back of the Rochester Knighthawks. Earlier this week the team released back-up goalie Zak Boychuk and signed goalie Steve Fryer.

Injury Report :
D Nick Diachenko (Lower Body)

Rock Fact:
The Rock are 19-24 all time against the Knighthawks, 15 of those wins came at home.

Rochester Knighthawks:

Rochester has won 4 of their past 5 games and are second in the East Division a half game back of the Buffalo Bandits. They’re last loss came at the hands of the Calgary Roughnecks a close battle that Calgary won 11-10. Last week they knocked off the Philadelphia Wings for the second time this season by a score of 13-8.

Offence:

Cody Jamieson leads the Rochester offence with 23G-31A-54PTS. Dan Dawson is close behind with 10G-41A-51PTS. Other offensive threats include Stephen Keogh, Cory Vitarelli and Joe Walters and youngster Johnny Powless.

Defence:

Joel McCready who is an important part of the transition game, was suspended last time the two teams hooked up on February 15^th, but should be in the lineup for the Knighthawks this week. Brad Self leads the team in loose balls.

Between The Pipes:

A former NLL Goalie of the Year. Matt Vinc leads the league in save percentage at .821 and sits second behind Edmonton’s Aaron Bold in Goals Against Average.