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BUF at SD - Sat. 10pm ET on ESPNews Schedule

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WK
1
Fri, Dec 2
FINAL
Philadelphia
8
Halifax
18
Sat, Dec 3
FINAL
Vancouver
8
Toronto
19
Sat, Dec 3
FINAL
San Diego
15
New York
14
Sat, Dec 3
FINAL
Albany
11
Buffalo
10
Sat, Dec 3
FINAL
Rochester
16
Georgia
11
Sat, Dec 3
FINAL
Colorado
6
Saskatchewan
18
WK
2
Fri, Dec 9
FINAL
Las Vegas
11
Panther City
13
Fri, Dec 9
FINAL/OT
Saskatchewan
12
San Diego
13
Sat, Dec 10
FINAL
Toronto
7
Rochester
11
Sat, Dec 10
FINAL
Vancouver
9
Calgary
11
WK
3
Fri, Dec 16
FINAL
Calgary
14
Vancouver
5
Fri, Dec 16
FINAL
Panther City
9
Las Vegas
3
Sat, Dec 17
FINAL
Buffalo
11
Toronto
8
Sat, Dec 17
FINAL
Rochester
14
Albany
13
Sat, Dec 17
FINAL
Philadelphia
13
Georgia
12
Sat, Dec 17
FINAL
Halifax
20
New York
11
Sat, Dec 17
FINAL
Colorado
12
Panther City
9
WK
5
Fri, Dec 30
FINAL
Halifax
13
Buffalo
18
Fri, Dec 30
FINAL
San Diego
17
Calgary
14
Sat, Dec 31
FINAL
Panther City
9
Saskatchewan
11
WK
6
Fri, Jan 6
FINAL
Philadelphia
14
Las Vegas
9
Sat, Jan 7
FINAL
Panther City
9
Rochester
17
Sat, Jan 7
FINAL
Halifax
14
Albany
11
Sat, Jan 7
FINAL
Buffalo
18
Georgia
9
Sat, Jan 7
FINAL
Toronto
15
New York
7
Sat, Jan 7
FINAL
Calgary
8
Colorado
9
Sat, Jan 7
FINAL
Vancouver
11
San Diego
16
WK
7
Fri, Jan 13
FINAL/OT
Albany
11
Halifax
10
Fri, Jan 13
FINAL/OT
Saskatchewan
10
Colorado
11
Sat, Jan 14
FINAL
Halifax
8
Toronto
17
Sat, Jan 14
FINAL
Panther City
12
Philadelphia
10
Sat, Jan 14
FINAL
Georgia
9
Buffalo
11
Sat, Jan 14
FINAL
San Diego
10
Calgary
14
Sat, Jan 14
FINAL
Las Vegas
16
Vancouver
19
Sun, Jan 15
FINAL
Rochester
11
New York
8
WK
8
Fri, Jan 20
FINAL
Buffalo
12
Rochester
15
Fri, Jan 20
FINAL
Vancouver
14
Las Vegas
15
Sat, Jan 21
FINAL
Toronto
14
Philadelphia
5
Sat, Jan 21
FINAL
New York
16
Albany
10
WK
9
Fri, Jan 27
FINAL
Rochester
7
Halifax
17
Fri, Jan 27
FINAL
Buffalo
13
Philadelphia
9
Sat, Jan 28
FINAL
Buffalo
16
New York
10
Sat, Jan 28
FINAL
Las Vegas
10
Saskatchewan
15
Sat, Jan 28
FINAL/OT
Toronto
11
Calgary
10
Sat, Jan 28
FINAL
San Diego
13
Colorado
9
Sat, Jan 28
FINAL
Panther City
20
Vancouver
7
WK
10
Fri, Feb 3
FINAL
Georgia
10
Colorado
13
Sat, Feb 4
FINAL/OT
Calgary
12
Halifax
11
Sat, Feb 4
FINAL
New York
14
Toronto
22
Sat, Feb 4
FINAL
Albany
5
Philadelphia
13
Sat, Feb 4
FINAL
Rochester
10
Buffalo
13
Sat, Feb 4
FINAL
Panther City
10
San Diego
12
Sat, Feb 4
FINAL
Saskatchewan
14
Vancouver
8
Sat, Feb 4
FINAL
Colorado
8
Las Vegas
13
WK
11
Fri, Feb 10
FINAL
Toronto
11
Georgia
10
Fri, Feb 10
FINAL
Saskatchewan
6
Calgary
13
Sat, Feb 11
FINAL
Halifax
14
Rochester
16
Sat, Feb 11
FINAL
Albany
12
New York
14
Sat, Feb 11
FINAL
Vancouver
13
Panther City
14
Sat, Feb 11
FINAL
Colorado
9
Calgary
13
WK
12
Fri, Feb 17
FINAL
Calgary
14
Vancouver
9
Fri, Feb 17
FINAL
Saskatchewan
16
San Diego
11
Sat, Feb 18
FINAL
Georgia
7
Toronto
16
Sat, Feb 18
FINAL
Las Vegas
12
Albany
10
Sat, Feb 18
FINAL/OT
Philadelphia
12
Buffalo
13
Sat, Feb 18
FINAL
Colorado
7
Panther City
13
Sun, Feb 19
FINAL
New York
12
Halifax
13
WK
13
Fri, Feb 24
FINAL
Panther City
12
Colorado
14
Fri, Feb 24
FINAL
Calgary
9
Las Vegas
11
Sat, Feb 25
FINAL/OT
New York
10
Rochester
11
Sat, Feb 25
FINAL
Albany
4
Georgia
20
Sat, Feb 25
FINAL
Vancouver
16
Saskatchewan
12
WK
14
Fri, Mar 3
FINAL
Buffalo
10
Halifax
9
Sat, Mar 4
FINAL
New York
12
Philadelphia
19
Sat, Mar 4
FINAL
Las Vegas
12
San Diego
15
Sat, Mar 4
FINAL
Rochester
8
Toronto
9
Sat, Mar 4
FINAL/OT
Georgia
9
Albany
8
Sat, Mar 4
FINAL
Saskatchewan
10
Panther City
16
Mon, Mar 6
FINAL
Toronto
10
Philadelphia
11
WK
15
Fri, Mar 10
FINAL/OT
Halifax
9
Buffalo
10
Fri, Mar 10
FINAL
Calgary
16
Colorado
10
Sat, Mar 11
FINAL
Albany
6
Toronto
12
Sat, Mar 11
FINAL
Philadelphia
10
New York
13
Sat, Mar 11
FINAL
San Diego
12
Saskatchewan
11
Sat, Mar 11
FINAL
Vancouver
14
Las Vegas
5
Sun, Mar 12
FINAL
Rochester
19
Georgia
18
WK
16
Fri, Mar 17
FINAL
Saskatchewan
6
Calgary
11
Fri, Mar 17
FINAL
San Diego
16
Vancouver
9
Sat, Mar 18
FINAL
Georgia
13
Philadelphia
12
Sat, Mar 18
FINAL
Toronto
12
Halifax
14
Sat, Mar 18
FINAL
Albany
10
New York
13
Sat, Mar 18
FINAL
Colorado
13
Buffalo
8
Sat, Mar 18
FINAL
Las Vegas
8
Panther City
11
Sun, Mar 19
FINAL/OT
Philadelphia
9
Rochester
8
WK
17
Fri, Mar 24
20:30:00
San Diego
Panther City
Sat, Mar 25
19:00:00
Toronto
Albany
Sat, Mar 25
19:00:00
Halifax
Philadelphia
Sat, Mar 25
19:30:00
Georgia
New York
Sat, Mar 25
21:30:00
Calgary
Saskatchewan
Sat, Mar 25
22:00:00
Buffalo
San Diego
Sat, Mar 25
22:00:00
Colorado
Vancouver
Sat, Mar 25
22:30:00
Rochester
Las Vegas
WK
18
Fri, Mar 31
19:00:00
New York
Georgia
Fri, Mar 31
21:00:00
Las Vegas
Colorado
Fri, Mar 31
22:00:00
Calgary
San Diego
Sat, Apr 1
19:00:00
Buffalo
Toronto
Sat, Apr 1
20:00:00
Albany
Panther City
Sat, Apr 1
21:30:00
Vancouver
Saskatchewan
Sun, Apr 2
13:00:00
Georgia
Halifax
Sun, Apr 2
18:00:00
Rochester
Philadelphia
WK
19
Sat, Apr 8
19:00:00
Albany
Rochester
Sat, Apr 8
19:00:00
Saskatchewan
Georgia
Sat, Apr 8
21:00:00
Panther City
Calgary
Sat, Apr 8
21:00:00
Vancouver
Colorado
Sat, Apr 8
22:30:00
San Diego
Las Vegas
WK
20
Fri, Apr 14
21:00:00
Las Vegas
Calgary
Fri, Apr 14
21:00:00
San Diego
Colorado
Sat, Apr 15
19:00:00
Philadelphia
Toronto
Sat, Apr 15
19:00:00
Georgia
Albany
Sat, Apr 15
19:30:00
New York
Buffalo
Sat, Apr 15
21:30:00
Halifax
Saskatchewan
Sat, Apr 15
22:00:00
Panther City
Vancouver
WK
21
Fri, Apr 21
20:30:00
Calgary
Panther City
Sat, Apr 22
18:00:00
New York
Halifax
Sat, Apr 22
19:00:00
Georgia
Rochester
Sat, Apr 22
20:00:00
Toronto
Buffalo
Sat, Apr 22
21:30:00
Colorado
Saskatchewan
Sat, Apr 22
22:00:00
Las Vegas
San Diego
Sun, Apr 23
15:00:00
Philadelphia
Albany
WK
22
Sat, Apr 29
19:00:00
Philadelphia
Rochester
Sat, Apr 29
19:00:00
Buffalo
Albany
Sat, Apr 29
19:00:00
Halifax
Georgia
Sat, Apr 29
22:00:00
Colorado
San Diego
Sat, Apr 29
22:00:00
New York
Vancouver
Sat, Apr 29
22:30:00
Saskatchewan
Las Vegas
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Stories/Op-Ed

Thompson Brothers Help Build Excitement For 2015 Nll Season

League adds two more members of today’s most iconic lacrosse family

The dream of being drafted and having the opportunity to play in the National Lacrosse League recently became a reality for 55 players at the 2014 NLL Draft on Sept. 22 in Toronto. And on top of all the blockbuster trades, one of the most intriguing storylines to emerge from the weekend was the league’s addition of two more members of the iconic “Thompson Brothers” lacrosse family.

After one of the most successful seasons in NCAA lax history at the University at Albany, Miles Thompson was drafted in the first round (3rd overall) by the Minnesota Swarm while his cousin Ty Thompson was selected in the third round (26th overall) by the New England Black Wolves.

The reigning co-winner of the Tewaaraton Award, college lacrosse’s version of the Heisman Trophy, Miles shared the honor with his younger brother Lyle, who now enters his senior season with the Great Danes. Miles matched the NCAA single-season record with 82 goals and ranked second all-time with 119 points (82+37) last year. Lyle, already slated as a top pick in the 2015 NLL Draft, set the new collegiate record with 128 points (51+77) this past season while tying the assists mark with 77 helpers.

Having put together an impressive NCAA resume himself with 154 career goals, which ranks fourth all-time at Albany, Ty was a two-time All-American Honorable Mention.

But first, there was Miles & Lyle’s older brother, Jeremy. The former Syracuse University standout, who was the 9th overall pick in the 2011 NLL Draft by the Buffalo Bandits, is now a key contributor for the Edmonton Rush.

The 27-year-old was drafted the same year as his brother Jerome, who found out how difficult it is to make an NLL roster. Having made it and quickly developing into one of the league’s top players, Jeremy has a wealth of knowledge on what it takes to play at the game’s highest level.

And on top of the experience he has to offer, Jeremy serves a role model for his younger brothers, all of whom represent the Onondaga Nation, and cousin Ty, who hails from the Mohawk Nation.

“It’s very exciting for me,” said Jeremy, who was one of three finalists for the 2014 NLL Transition Player of the Year award. “Miles and Ty have accomplished so much throughout their careers so far and continue to bring their best effort forward. For Miles and I, it all started in the backyard. In a way, it’s going to be a resemblance of backyard ball and the memories we made growing up as youngsters.”

With an overwhelming sense of accomplishment and the realization that their lifelong dream has come true, Miles and Ty are confident and willing to put forth the effort to crack the rosters for the Swarm and Black Wolves this year.

“It felt amazing to be drafted to the New England Black Wolves this year because ever since I was a kid, it was my biggest dream to be in the NLL,” Ty said. “My grandparents used to take me to Rochester, Buffalo, Albany or even Philadelphia to watch NLL games so that taught me a lot and made me want to get into the league even more.”

Now entering the next chapter of their lacrosse journey, Miles couldn’t agree more about how much it means to play among the game’s elite.

“The thing I look forward to most about the NLL is being able to play the game of lacrosse as a professional athlete, especially as it has been my goal since I was a kid,” he said.

Having complete faith in his little brother and cousin, Jeremy believes they will both be very successful. Their rise to prominence continues to show how Native American players can have an impact on the sport that they invented hundreds of years ago, a game still woven into the fabric of their culture.

“More and more, Native players are taking the game seriously and are wanting to become elite players and perform at the highest level of lacrosse,” Jeremy said.

Lacrosse has always been a family affair for the Thompson’s as their loved ones continue to be a huge part of their individual success. Offering support, words of wisdom and valuable lessons, the young stars have never been short on fans and supporters in which they all agree have greatly influenced them and made them the men and lacrosse players they are today.

“My family are the biggest supporters for me in my lacrosse career,” Ty said. “My parents, siblings and grandparents are all a huge part of it because they have supported me since Day One and I appreciate them for that. Without them, I would be nothing.”

Lacrosse is more than just a game to many Native American players and the Thompson family is a prime example.

“Lacrosse is definitely a part of my identity,” Miles said. “Lacrosse is more than just a game to me. It is a way of life being Native American.”

Jeremy and Jerome’s lacrosse odyssey was highlighted in the highly-acclaimed PBS documentary The Medicine Game, which followed the brothers for over six years and helped capture the strong influence the game has had during their lives.

“You’re given a mini traditional wooden stick in your cradleboard when you’re born,” explained Jeremy. “And when you pass on from this world, you’re given one in your coffin.”

As positive influences for young lacrosse players from all backgrounds, all three seem to embrace the role, especially as leaders in the Native American community.

“I do see myself as a role model for the younger Native American lacrosse players,” Ty said. “My reason for this is because it is so hard to get off the reservation and pursue your goals. There is so much talent on the reservation where a lot of it doesn’t go far. I feel Miles, Lyle and I, even along with the other Native Americans in (NCAA) Division I (lacrosse), inspire a lot of kids to want to take the college path and use their talent the way they should.”

The National Lacrosse League remains as one of the most prominent platforms for indigenous players to show off their athletic talents and receive praise for their invaluable contributions to lacrosse.

After all, the three-time defending champion Rochester Knighthawks’ roster features several high-profile Six Nations players including 2014 NLL MVP Cody Jamieson. The dynasty team is owned by Mohawk member Curt Styres whose passion for lacrosse and the Native community is unrivaled.

Adding to the already-strong presence is the fact that the Black Wolves became the second Native American ownership group when the Mohegan Tribe purchased the franchise this past summer. The team will play home games at Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Connecticut.

However, the popularity of Native lacrosse isn’t limited to the Northeast. The Thompson Brothers were a main attraction at the FIL World Lacrosse Championships in Denver this summer, where they helped take home the team’s first-ever Bronze Medal with the Iroquois Nationals.

And at every reservation they visit, both near and far, they have younger kids coming up to them asking for tips to get better. And sometimes strong life lessons translate well to lacrosse.

“My parents brought me up to be drug and alcohol-free,” Miles said. “I’m 23 years old and happy to say I have never touched a drop of alcohol or a drug and I thank my parents for that.”

Indisputably proud of their culture and their upbringing, the Thompson lacrosse family views the sport as a way of life. And their ultimate goal is to grow the game while continuing to embrace their Native American roots.

“The advice I would give to all young players wanting to play professionally one day is to keep the lacrosse stick in your hands as much as you can, watch lax highlights, or study certain players’ games,” Ty said. “Never give up on reaching your goals.”

With the new year and start of the 2015 NLL season right around the corner, both the lacrosse and Native American communities are very excited to watch the Thompson Brothers reunite and play not only against each other, but also the rest of the best lacrosse players in the world.

NLL