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The Rochester Knighthawks (sometimes abbreviated as the K-Hawks) are a professional lacrosse team in the National Lacrosse League. They play in Rochester, New York at the Blue Cross Arena at the War Memorial. The Knighthawks were previously members of the Major Indoor Lacrosse League from 1995 to 1997. They have been members of the NLL since the league's inaugural 1998 season. The Knighthawks reached the playoffs in each of their first 13 seasons, from 1995 to 2007. This is a league record (going back to the league's original creation, the Eagle Pro Box Lacrosse League). The previous record was 11 straight years, held by the Philadelphia Wings.
[edit] HistoryThe Rochester Knighthawks have been one of the league's most successful franchise since its formation in the 1995 season despite playing in the leagues oldest arena and smallest market. Even with these limitations the Knighthawks have been consistently near the top of the league standings every season. In their inaugural season they finished 3rd during the regular season and dispatched the Boston Blazers in the playoff semifinals to get to the finals as an expansion team. As they would do three times later on, they found themselves coming up just short in the championship game, falling in overtime to the Philadelphia Wings. Just two seasons later, the Knighthawks would find their way to the top of the MILL heap, claiming the final North American Cup before the merger with the National Lacrosse League prior to the 1998 season. It would be ten years before the Knighthawks claimed their second title. [edit] 2007 seasonAfter starting the season a pedestrian 2-2, the Knighthawks beat Toronto 19-15 in Toronto, where they had only won twice before in team history. The Knighthawks followed this victory up with 11 more, finishing the season with a franchise-record 12 regular-season-game winning streak and a 14-2 record. The Knighthawks were a perfect 8-0 at home, becoming the first team since the 2003 Bandits to post a perfect record at home.[1] The winning streak was extended to 13 games after they defeated the Rock 10-6 in the division semi-finals;[2] and to 14 after beating the Bandits in overtime, 14-13, for the East Division title.[3] After the season, head coach Ed Comeau was named the 2007 Les Bartley Award winner.[4] Despite having the best overall record, they could not host the championship game due to a scheduling conflict with the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus at the Blue Cross Arena.[5] Playing the game instead in Arizona, the Knighthawks defeated the Arizona Sting 13-11 on May 12, 2007, to win their first NLL championship. John Grant, Jr., regular-season league MVP, was named MVP of the game. The winning streak continued during the 2008 season, as the Knighthawks defeated the Buffalo Bandits in the opening game on January 11, 2008.[6] However, the next night in Rochester, the streak was halted at 16 games as they were defeated by the Bandits 14-9.[7] [edit] Lease issueDuring the 2007 season, a dispute over concession revenues between owner Steve Donner and the Sports Management Group, operators of the Blue Cross Arena, jeopardized the continued play of the Knighthawks in Rochester. Donner claimed that the Knighthawks and the Rochester Americans of the American Hockey League had lost over $500,000 the previous two seasons, and without concession revenue sharing, he would be unable to continue to operate the teams in Rochester. An agreement was reached between the Amerks/Knighthawks SMG, and the City of Rochester on a one-year lease extension on May 11, 2007 that will allow for long-term negotiations to continue through both teams' 2008 season. Under the extension, the Amerks/Knighthawks have agreed to an independent audit of their finances and the city agreed to forgo additional luxury suite revenue from the arena and to loan the Amerks an additional $100,000, added on to a $500,000 loan that is now past-due. All parties involved will now work diligently to reach a long-term agreement by the start of the 2007–08 AHL season in October 2007. However on June 16 2008 the Knighthawks and Americans announced a new five year lease with the Blue Cross Arena. [edit] Sale of teamOn May 28, 2008 the National Lacrosse League's Board of Governors approved the sale of a majority stake of the Knighthawks to the President of Arrow Express Sports Curt Styres at a price of $5,575,000, the highest price paid for a team in league history. The league's approval is conditional upon whether or not the Knighthawks and Sports Management Group can secure a new lease for play at the Blue Cross Arena.[8] Styres had also recently been approved by the American Hockey League to purchase the Americans.[9] [edit] Fan traditionsThroughout the Knighthawks tenure at the Blue Cross Arena, several traditions amongs the fans have developed. These tend to be lead by the fans sitting in the, "Hawks' Nest", an area of elevated seating behind the Court Street goal. Several times during a quarter where the Knighthawks are defending the opposite goal, it is common for the fans sitting there to chant the visiting team's goaltender's name three times, followed by a very loud, "You Suck!". Much like the fans of the Philadelphia Wings, Knighthawks fans shout, "Sucks," after each of the opposing teams' players are announced via loudspeakers. Whenever Pat O'Toole makes a good save, the announcer or a fan shouts, "What time is it?" The fans will chorus, "'Toole time!" [edit] Awards and honors
[edit] RosterSee also: Rochester Knighthawks all-time roster
[edit] All-time record
[edit] Playoff results
*The Knighthawks had the overall top seed in the playoffs, but were unable to host the Championship game due to a scheduling conflict at the Blue Cross Arena. [edit] Head coaching history
[edit] Draft history[edit] NLL Entry DraftFirst Round Selections
[edit] NLL Dispersal Draft
[edit] NLL Expansion Draft
[edit] References
[edit] See also
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