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Breaking: League Adopts Unified Standings Format & Updated Playoff Structure for 2023-24 Season

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WK
1
Fri, Dec 1
19:00:00
Saskatchewan
Halifax
Fri, Dec 1
22:00:00
Albany
Las Vegas
Fri, Dec 1
22:00:00
Panther City
Vancouver
Sat, Dec 2
19:00:00
Calgary
Rochester
Sat, Dec 2
19:30:00
Philadelphia
New York
WK
2
Sat, Dec 9
19:00:00
Philadelphia
Toronto
Sat, Dec 9
19:00:00
Buffalo
Albany
Sat, Dec 9
19:30:00
Colorado
Georgia
Sat, Dec 9
20:00:00
Rochester
Saskatchewan
Sat, Dec 9
22:00:00
Calgary
San Diego
Sun, Dec 10
16:00:00
Las Vegas
Panther City
WK
3
Fri, Dec 15
22:00:00
Saskatchewan
Las Vegas
Sat, Dec 16
13:00:00
Albany
Philadelphia
Sat, Dec 16
19:30:00
Halifax
New York
Sat, Dec 16
19:30:00
San Diego
Buffalo
Sat, Dec 16
22:00:00
Georgia
Vancouver
WK
4
Fri, Dec 22
20:00:00
Toronto
Panther City
Fri, Dec 22
21:00:00
Georgia
Colorado
Sat, Dec 23
19:00:00
Vancouver
Rochester
WK
5
Fri, Dec 29
18:30:00
Philadelphia
Halifax
Fri, Dec 29
19:30:00
Georgia
Buffalo
Fri, Dec 29
22:00:00
Rochester
San Diego
Sat, Dec 30
16:00:00
New York
Toronto
Sat, Dec 30
21:00:00
Las Vegas
Calgary
Sat, Dec 30
21:00:00
Vancouver
Colorado
Sun, Dec 31
20:00:00
Albany
Saskatchewan
WK
6
Sat, Jan 6
19:00:00
Halifax
Albany
Sat, Jan 6
19:30:00
Panther City
Georgia
Sat, Jan 6
19:30:00
Colorado
Buffalo
Sun, Jan 7
15:00:00
New York
Philadelphia
WK
7
Fri, Jan 12
18:30:00
Toronto
Halifax
Fri, Jan 12
22:00:00
San Diego
Las Vegas
Sat, Jan 13
19:00:00
Buffalo
Rochester
Sat, Jan 13
19:00:00
Saskatchewan
Philadelphia
Sat, Jan 13
19:30:00
Panther City
New York
Sat, Jan 13
19:30:00
Albany
Georgia
Sat, Jan 13
21:00:00
San Diego
Colorado
Sat, Jan 13
22:00:00
Calgary
Vancouver
WK
8
Fri, Jan 19
19:30:00
New York
Buffalo
Sat, Jan 20
19:00:00
Georgia
Toronto
Sat, Jan 20
19:00:00
San Diego
Albany
Sat, Jan 20
20:00:00
Vancouver
Saskatchewan
Sat, Jan 20
21:00:00
Calgary
Colorado
WK
9
Fri, Jan 26
22:00:00
Colorado
Vancouver
Sat, Jan 27
18:00:00
Rochester
Halifax
Sat, Jan 27
19:00:00
Buffalo
Toronto
Sat, Jan 27
19:30:00
Georgia
New York
Sat, Jan 27
19:30:00
San Diego
Philadelphia
Sat, Jan 27
22:00:00
Panther City
Las Vegas
WK
10
Fri, Feb 2
19:00:00
Halifax
Philadelphia
Fri, Feb 2
19:30:00
Vancouver
Georgia
Fri, Feb 2
21:00:00
New York
Calgary
Sat, Feb 3
19:00:00
Las Vegas
Albany
Sat, Feb 3
19:30:00
Rochester
Buffalo
Sat, Feb 3
20:00:00
Panther City
Saskatchewan
Sat, Feb 3
21:00:00
Toronto
Calgary
Sun, Feb 4
18:00:00
Colorado
San Diego
WK
11
Fri, Feb 9
18:30:00
Las Vegas
Halifax
Fri, Feb 9
20:00:00
Colorado
Panther City
Sat, Feb 10
19:00:00
Georgia
Rochester
Sat, Feb 10
19:00:00
Calgary
Toronto
Sat, Feb 10
19:30:00
San Diego
New York
Sat, Feb 10
22:00:00
Saskatchewan
Vancouver
WK
12
Fri, Feb 16
18:30:00
Buffalo
Halifax
Fri, Feb 16
22:00:00
Philadelphia
Las Vegas
Sat, Feb 17
19:00:00
Colorado
Albany
Sun, Feb 18
19:00:00
Halifax
Calgary
WK
13
Fri, Feb 23
21:00:00
New York
Colorado
Fri, Feb 23
22:00:00
Georgia
San Diego
Sat, Feb 24
19:00:00
Las Vegas
Rochester
Sat, Feb 24
19:00:00
Vancouver
Toronto
Sat, Feb 24
19:30:00
Albany
Buffalo
Sat, Feb 24
20:00:00
Halifax
Saskatchewan
Sat, Feb 24
21:00:00
Philadelphia
Calgary
Sun, Feb 25
16:00:00
Georgia
Panther City
WK
14
Fri, Mar 1
19:00:00
Georgia
Halifax
Fri, Mar 1
20:00:00
San Diego
Panther City
Fri, Mar 1
22:00:00
Toronto
Las Vegas
Fri, Mar 1
22:00:00
Buffalo
Vancouver
Sat, Mar 2
13:00:00
Calgary
Philadelphia
Sat, Mar 2
19:00:00
New York
Albany
Sat, Mar 2
21:00:00
Saskatchewan
Colorado
Sat, Mar 2
22:00:00
Toronto
San Diego
Sun, Mar 3
16:00:00
Rochester
Panther City
WK
15
Fri, Mar 8
19:00:00
Vancouver
Albany
Fri, Mar 8
19:30:00
Calgary
Georgia
Fri, Mar 8
19:30:00
Saskatchewan
Buffalo
Sat, Mar 9
17:00:00
Colorado
Toronto
Sat, Mar 9
19:00:00
Albany
Rochester
Sat, Mar 9
19:30:00
Las Vegas
New York
Sat, Mar 9
22:00:00
Halifax
San Diego
Sun, Mar 10
15:00:00
Panther City
Philadelphia
WK
16
Fri, Mar 15
18:30:00
Panther City
Halifax
Fri, Mar 15
21:00:00
San Diego
Calgary
Fri, Mar 15
22:00:00
Las Vegas
Vancouver
Sat, Mar 16
19:00:00
Rochester
Albany
Sat, Mar 16
19:00:00
Toronto
Buffalo
Sat, Mar 16
19:30:00
Philadelphia
Georgia
Sat, Mar 16
20:30:00
New York
Saskatchewan
WK
17
Fri, Mar 22
20:00:00
Buffalo
Panther City
Fri, Mar 22
21:00:00
Albany
Calgary
Sat, Mar 23
19:00:00
Halifax
Toronto
Sat, Mar 23
19:00:00
Vancouver
Philadelphia
Sat, Mar 23
19:30:00
Saskatchewan
New York
Sat, Mar 23
21:00:00
Rochester
Colorado
Sat, Mar 23
22:00:00
Las Vegas
San Diego
Sun, Mar 24
17:30:00
Saskatchewan
Georgia
WK
18
Sat, Mar 30
13:00:00
Buffalo
Philadelphia
Sat, Mar 30
19:00:00
Halifax
Rochester
Sat, Mar 30
19:30:00
Toronto
New York
Sat, Mar 30
22:00:00
Vancouver
Las Vegas
WK
19
Fri, Apr 5
21:00:00
Saskatchewan
Calgary
Fri, Apr 5
21:00:00
Buffalo
Colorado
Fri, Apr 5
22:00:00
Panther City
San Diego
Fri, Apr 5
22:00:00
Halifax
Vancouver
Sat, Apr 6
19:00:00
New York
Rochester
Sat, Apr 6
19:00:00
Toronto
Albany
Sat, Apr 6
19:30:00
Las Vegas
Georgia
Sat, Apr 6
20:00:00
Calgary
Saskatchewan
Sun, Apr 7
16:00:00
Philadelphia
Panther City
WK
20
Fri, Apr 12
21:00:00
Philadelphia
Colorado
Sat, Apr 13
19:00:00
Rochester
Toronto
Sat, Apr 13
19:30:00
Calgary
Buffalo
Sat, Apr 13
20:00:00
San Diego
Saskatchewan
Sat, Apr 13
22:00:00
Colorado
Las Vegas
Sat, Apr 13
22:00:00
New York
Vancouver
Sun, Apr 14
16:00:00
Albany
Panther City
WK
21
Fri, Apr 19
19:30:00
Rochester
Georgia
Fri, Apr 19
22:00:00
Vancouver
San Diego
Sat, Apr 20
18:00:00
Colorado
Halifax
Sat, Apr 20
19:30:00
Albany
New York
Sat, Apr 20
20:00:00
Toronto
Saskatchewan
Sat, Apr 20
21:00:00
Panther City
Calgary
Sat, Apr 20
22:00:00
Buffalo
Las Vegas
Sun, Apr 21
15:00:00
Philadelphia
Rochester
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Finish Strong: Knighthawks Over Black Wolves In Finale, 10-8

The Rochester Knighthawks (7-11) finished the 2016 season on a high note, taking down the New England Black Wolves (10-8) by a score of 10-8 on Sunday night at Mohegan Sun Arena. The pack kept pace throughout the game, but the Knighthawks took advantage of key mistakes and secured the win. As the Black Wolves focus on tune-ups for their home playoff game, the Knighthawks prepare for an offseason of evaluation and potential changes. 

“It certainly wasn’t what we wanted,” said Black Wolves head coach Glenn Clark. “Obviously we wanted to have a good feeling going into the playoffs, but we also needed to be aware of bodies and health and all that type of stuff. It’s a bit of a sour taste, but the one thing I said to the group is ‘let’s look at the season in its totality.’ If you take a step back, we’ve earned a spot in the playoffs and we played well so let’s focus on that and be ready to go next week.”

“For tonight, 60 minutes, I think it’s the first 60 minutes of lacrosse that we’ve played in a very long time,” said Knighthawks head coach Mike Hasen. “It’s good to finish on that note. It’s tough that we don’t get to continue, but we didn’t earn it.”

“Every year you look at it and evaluate and I think Curt [Styres] is going to do that from the top right on down,” Hasen added. “We’ll come up with a plan here quick enough and we’ll be better next year for it. We talk about having 18 lessons this year and moving forward with that, so we take these 18 games and move forward for next year now.”

It was a physical game from the start with bodies constantly colliding with the turf and glass. While the Black Wolves were more focused on staying healthy in preparation for Friday’s home playoff game, the Knighthawks seemed to let a lot of their frustration about this season show throughout the game. The first quarter was very sloppy for both teams, with bad turnovers on offense and good defense forcing a few turnovers as well. The backup goalkeepers started for both the Black Wolves and the Knighthawks and both made very impressive saves as the game went on. The score was 0-0 until the Black Wolves put one in the back of the net at the eight minute mark, but the Knighthawks scored a couple of goals, taking a 2-1 lead. 

“There were a couple in the first quarter that beat me clean,” stated Black Wolves goalkeeper Tye Belanger. “After that I regrouped, the defense played great in front of me, gave me confidence behind me, and I was just feeling it.”

The second quarter was more of the same, and the physicality escalated quickly. The Knighthawks scored first to take a 3-1 lead, but the Black Wolves retaliated just 12 seconds later to make it 3-2. From there, the pack scored two more goals to take a 4-3 lead. The Knighthawks’ frustration grew as the game continued, and forward Stephen Keogh received a five minute major penalty for elbowing. The Black Wolves were unable to capitalize on the man-up advantage though, as they received a two minute penalty as well. The Knighthawks tied it up at 4 and took a 5-4 lead as Keogh ran out of the penalty box and scored immediately. The Knighthawks built up a two goal lead, but Black Wolves rookie Phil Caputo put one in the back of the net in his NLL debut and the Knighthawks led 6-5 at halftime. 

“Tye had a strong, strong game and Phil [Caputo]; it was nice to see him get his first goal,” Clark said. “It was a bit of a scrambling play, but they don’t put pictures on the scoreboard so that was good for him.”

“It always feels good to get in there and help the team out,” Caputo stated. “Unfortunately we didn’t get the win, but it was still fun. Scoring the first one feels pretty good, but then again we always want to win.”

The Knighthawks came out firing in the third quarter, scoring quickly to take a 7-5 lead. The Black Wolves responded just under a minute later, with Brett Bucktooth’s shot bouncing into the back of the net after being saved by the Knighthawks’ Angus Goodleaf. It was back-and-forth from there and the frustration bubbled over as Kevin Buchanan and Dylan Evans turned a light bit of shoving into a brawl with both ending up in the box. The Knighthawks ended the stalemate as Black Wolves goalkeeper Tye Belanger was unable to keep a rebound out of the back of his net. A little bout broke out at the end of the quarter, and both teams went into the fourth quarter with a man in the penalty box; the Knighthawks held an 8-6 lead.

“It could’ve been worse,” Belanger stated. “They had opportunities on the shorthand, I came through and made the save. I’ve got to give credit to my defense, they kept the shots to where we wanted them tonight. Unfortunately, we just couldn’t get too many on the other end offensively. It stings a little bit for now, but we’re looking past this game now and gearing up for playoffs.”

The Black Wolves struck first in the fourth quarter, cutting the Knighthawks lead to just one goal. However, the Black Wolves were slow to get back on defense and the Knighthawks answered immediately to take a 9-7 lead. After more back and forth action, the Black Wolves scored to cut the deficit to just one goal. The Knighthawks fought hard to answer, but Belanger made three phenomenal saves in face-to-face match-ups right around the crease. The Black Wolves offense came alive a bit, but a penalty drew boos and took a bit of a toll on the momentum shift. 

For the Knighthawks, defense was key in keeping the Black Wolves offense on its heels. Backup goalkeeper Angus Goodleaf got the start and made an impressive 36 saves on 44 shots faced. Dan Dawson led the offense with two goals and four assists, while Cody Jamieson had two goals and three assists. Brad Self added one goal and three assists.

Defensively, the Black Wolves fought hard and the goalkeeping was fantastic, but it just didn’t seem to be enough. The offense never really got off the ground, and that could be attributed to Shawn Evans being scratched from the lineup. Backup goalkeeper Tye Belanger got the nod and had a phenomenal night, making 49 saves on 59 shots faced. Pat Saunders led with two goals and one assist, while Kevin Buchanan added one goal and two assists. Buchanan collected his 60th point tonight, making this the first 60 point season in his NLL career. Kevin Crowley and Kyle Buchanan both added one goal and one assist. 

“We’re not sure at this point,” Clark stated. “He’s being evaluated by the doctors, so today was precautionary. He’s obviously a big part of what we do and what we need, so we’ll hope he’s ready for Friday.”

The New England Black Wolves take on the Georgia Swarm on Friday May 6th at 7 p.m. at Mohegan Sun Arena in the East Division Semifinal where the winner moves on and the loser goes home. Though the Black Wolves won the regular season series 3-1, including the home game against them on April 23rd, the playoffs create a completely different atmosphere.

“Going into the third quarter, it was 9-9,” said Black Wolves defender Bill O’Brien. “I think Georgia’s wheels fell off. They’re a real young team, don’t have the experience, and they have a lot of great players on offense. They’re able to score when they want to, but we were able to shut them down on defense. We’re looking to do the same thing on Friday.”

“We’re looking at this one playoff series,” Belanger stated. “One game and the winner moves on.”

Three Stars of the Game:

1) Dan Dawson
2) Cody Jamieson
3) Tye Belanger

By Alyssa McLaughlin for NLL.com. Photo by Khoi Ton.

NLL