2007 NLL season

March 2012 2007 NLL season National Lacrosse League Indoor lacrosse 100px 13 16 December 30, 2006 – May 12, 2007 Regular season John Grant, Jr. (Rochester Knighthawks) National Lacrosse League MVP Award John Grant, Jr. (Rochester Knighthawks) 2007 NLL season Playoffs Eastern Rochester Knighthawks Buffalo Bandits Western Colorado Mammoth Calgary Roughnecks Champion's Cup Champion's Cup Rochester Knighthawks (2nd title) Arizona Sting John Grant, Jr. (Rochester) Champion's Cup#Most Valuable Players NLL 2006 NLL season 2006 season 2008 NLL season 2008 season The 2007 National Lacrosse League season, the 21st in the history of the NLL (including the Eagle Pro Box Lacrosse League and Major Indoor Lacrosse League years) began on December 30, 2006 and concluded with the championship game on May 12, 2007. The Rochester Knighthawks finished the regular season with a 14–2 record, winning their last 12 games. They followed this up by beating Toronto in the first round, and then clinched the Eastern division title by defeating Buffalo in the Eastern division finals, with league MVP John Grant, Jr. scoring in overtime. The Arizona Sting finished third in their division, but defeated the Calgary Roughnecks in the first round, and then beat the San Jose Stealth to clinch their second division title in three years. The championship game was awarded to Rochester because of their higher seed, but the Blue Cross Arena was unavailable on the day of the game, so the Championship game was held in Phoenix.http://nll.com/article.php?id=2923 Arizona To Host Championship Game NLL.com April 30, 2007 April 30, 2007 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20080416155515/http://nll.com/article.php?id=2923 April 16, 2008 mdy The Knighthawks continued their winning streak in the desert, defeating the Sting 13–11. John Grant, Jr., who had been named the league MVP only two days before, was named game MVP.http://nll.com/article.php?id=2948 John Grant Named Championship Game MVP NLL.com May 12, 2007 May 13, 2007 https://web.archive.org/web/20070517203144/http://www.nll.com/article.php?id=2948 May 17, 2007 dead It was Rochester's second championship overall, and first since 1997. The championship game loss was Arizona's second in three years. The season began with a blockbuster trade just three days before the first game, as the Toronto Rock traded star forward and 2005 MVP Colin Doyle along with Darren Halls and a draft pick to the San Jose Stealth for 1st round draft selection Ryan Benesch, Kevin Fines, Chad Thompson, and two draft picks. Doyle scored nine assists in San Jose's second game of the season, a 17–16 OT win over the Calgary Roughnecks, and finished the season second in team scoring. Benesch was named 2007 Rookie of the Year. In February, the NLL signed an agreement with Sirius Satellite Radio to air a "Game of the Week" throughout the season as well as during the playoffs.http://nll.com/article.php?id=2709 NLL.com NLL & SIRIUS Sign Broadcasting Agreement February 1, 2007 March 24, 2007 https://web.archive.org/web/20070504200635/http://www.nll.com/article.php?id=2709 May 4, 2007 dead In March, the league announced that New York Titans star Casey Powell would be hosting a weekly radio show on SIRIUS, called Inside the National Lacrosse League with Casey Powell.http://nll.com/article.php?id=2800 NLL & SIRIUS Announce Lacrosse Talk Show NLL.com March 7, 2007 March 24, 2007 https://web.archive.org/web/20070312225431/http://www.nll.com/article.php?id=2800 March 12, 2007 dead Teams 2007 National Lacrosse League Division Team City Arena Capacity East Buffalo Bandits Buffalo, New York HSBC Arena 18,690 Chicago Shamrox Hoffman Estates, Illinois Sears Centre Arena 9,500 Minnesota Swarm Saint Paul, Minnesota XCEL Energy Center 18,064 New York Titans New York, New York Madison Square Garden Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum 18,200 16,234 Philadelphia Wings Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Wachovia Center 19,523 Rochester Knighthawks Rochester, New York Blue Cross Arena 10,662 Toronto Rock Toronto, Ontario Air Canada Centre 18,800 West Arizona Sting Glendale, Arizona Jobing.com Arena 17,125 Calgary Roughnecks Calgary, Alberta Pengrowth Saddledome 19,289 Colorado Mammoth Denver, Colorado Pepsi Center 18,007 Edmonton Rush Edmonton, Alberta Rexall Place 16,839 Portland Lumberjax Portland, Oregon Rose Garden 18,280 San Jose Stealth San Jose, California HP Pavilion 17,496 Map of teams left 10px East Division 10px West Division 1320 650 350 425 485 North America North America laea location map (highlight USA & Canada).svg 1200 North America 42.88 -78.88 Blue pog.svg 94 bottom Bandits #ffe7 North America 42.07 -88.21 Blue pog.svg 94 left Shamrox #ffe7 North America 44.94 -93.10 Blue pog.svg 94 left Swarm #ffe7 North America 40.75 -73.99 Blue pog.svg 94 right Titans #ffe7 North America 39.90 -75.17 Blue pog.svg 94 bottom Wings #ffe7 North America 43.15 -77.61 Blue pog.svg 94 right Knighthawks #ffe7 North America 43.64 -79.38 Blue pog.svg 94 left Rock #ffe7 North America 33.53 -112.26 Red pog.svg 94 left Sting #ffe7 North America 51.04 -114.05 Red pog.svg 94 right Roughnecks #ffe7 North America 39.75 -105.01 Red pog.svg 94 right Mammoth #ffe7 North America 53.57 -113.46 Red pog.svg 94 right Rush #ffe7 North America 45.53 -122.67 Red pog.svg 94 right LumberJax #ffe7 North America 37.33 -121.90 Red pog.svg 94 right Stealth #ffe7 Final standings Toronto won the 3-way tiebreaker with Philadelphia and Chicago due to their 5–7 record against divisional opponents (Philadelphia was 4–8, and Chicago was 5–8).http://www.nll.com/article.php?id=2869 Opening Round Playoff Matchups Set NLL.com April 14, 2007 April 14, 2007 https://web.archive.org/web/20070421224252/http://www.nll.com/article.php?id=2869 April 21, 2007 dead Calgary won the 3-way tiebreaker with Arizona and San Jose because of their head-to-head record (Calgary was 2–1 against Arizona and 1–1 against San Jose, while San Jose went 0–2 against Arizona). Playoffs Divisional Semifinal Divisional Final Champion's Cup Final Eastern Division Western Division 1 Rochester 10 4 Toronto 6 2 Buffalo 14 3 Minnesota 8 1 Colorado 14 4 San Jose 15 (OT) 2 Calgary 9 3 Arizona 13 1 Rochester 14 (OT) 2 Buffalo 13 3 Arizona 9 4 San Jose 7 E1 Rochester 13 W3 Arizona 11 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. Team movement The 2007 season features two new expansion teams, both in the East Division: the Chicago Shamrox and the New York Titans. Rule changes A number of rule changes were made for the 2007 season.http://nll.com/article.php?id=2612 NLL.com NLL Announces Rule Changes For 2007 January 1, 2007 December 12, 2006 https://web.archive.org/web/20061227023728/http://nll.com/article.php?id=2612 December 27, 2006 dead The main changes are: Cross-checks to the head are more severely punished Cross-checking a player without the ball is now illegal Scoring from behind the net is now allowed, provided there is no contact between the ball and the goalie or his equipment (this effectively allows the "Air Gait" move invented by Gary Gait) When a penalty shot is awarded, the coach can choose any player on the team to take the shot Milestones January 6: Chicago and New York played their first ever games Chicago recorded its first win and first home win New York's first goal was scored by Gewas Schindler Chicago's first goal was scored by Jason Clark Edmonton won its first ever home game, defeating the Philadelphia Wings 13–12 January 12: San Jose beat Calgary 17–16 in overtime in the longest game in NLL history.http://www.nll.com/article.php?id=2673 Weekend Recap: NLL News & Notes NLL.com January 15, 2007 January 15, 2007 The game lasted 71 minutes and 42 seconds before Luke Wiles scored at 11:42 of overtime, narrowly beating the old record of 70:45 during an Arizona-Anaheim game in 2004. January 20: New York records its first win and first home win at Madison Square Garden with an 11–9 victory over the Chicago Shamrox. The game is also the first loss for the Shamrox. January 26: New York plays their first game at Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum, losing 16–11 to the Philadelphia Wings. The New York Titans will split their home games between the Coliseum and Madison Square Garden. January 27: Rochester Knighthawk star John Grant Jr. sets a new NLL record for points in a single game with 15 (9 goals, 6 assists) in a 22–18 defeat of the New York Titans.http://nll.com/article.php?id=2701 K-Hawks Outscore Titans in Shootout NLL.com January 27, 2007 January 27, 2007 October 7, 2007 https://web.archive.org/web/20071007225850/http://nll.com/article.php?id=2701 dead February 22: After a 12–9 loss to Toronto, the Calgary Roughnecks fired head coach Chris Hall, the only coach in team history. March 24: Calgary teammates Kaleb Toth and Tracey Kelusky both reach 500 career points in the same game, as Jeff Dowling wins his first game as head coach.http://nll.com/article.php?id=2850 Week 13 Recap: News and Notes NLL.com March 26, 2007 March 26, 2007 https://web.archive.org/web/20070401180226/http://www.nll.com/article.php?id=2850 April 1, 2007 dead March 31: Rochester beats Philadelphia 12–10 in Rochester, setting a new franchise record with their ninth consecutive win.http://nll.com/article.php?id=2864 Rochester handles Wings 12–10 NLL.com March 31, 2007 April 1, 2007 October 6, 2007 https://web.archive.org/web/20071006124920/http://nll.com/article.php?id=2864 dead The 1,000th regular-season game in league history is played at Xcel Energy Center in Saint Paul,http://www.nll.com/article.php?id=2852 NLL to play 1,000th game on Saturday NLL.com March 27, 2007 April 10, 2007 https://web.archive.org/web/20070401153449/http://www.nll.com/article.php?id=2852 April 1, 2007 dead with Colorado defeating Minnesota 11–9.http://www.nll.com/article.php?id=2866 Mammoth come back to beat Swarm, 11–9 NLL.com April 1, 2007 April 10, 2007 April 6: The Calgary Roughnecks play their 100th game in franchise history against the Edmonton Rush at the Pengrowth Saddledome in Calgary. All Star Game The 2007 All-Star Game was held at the Rose Garden Arena in Portland, Oregon on March 10, 2007. The East won the game 20–16, on the strength of Mark Steenhuis' six goals. Steenhuis was named game MVP. Steenhuis was also named game MVP in the 2004 All-Star game, and became the first player in NLL history to be named All-Star Game MVP twice.http://nll.com/article.php?id=2808 East Wins All-Star Game 20–16 NLL.com March 11, 2007 March 11, 2007 https://web.archive.org/web/20070315231940/http://www.nll.com/article.php?id=2808 March 15, 2007 dead The game was broadcast on Sirius Satellite Radio; Travis Demers and Martin Wright called the action. All-Star teams Eastern Division starters   Western Division starters John Grant, Jr., Rochester Dan Carey, Colorado John Tavares, Buffalo Dan Dawson, Arizona Thomas Hajek, Philadelphia Andrew Turner, Edmonton * Cam Woods, Chicago Taylor Wray, Calgary Geoff Snider, Philadelphia Brodie Merrill, Portland ** Matt Roik, Philadelphia (goalie) Rob Blasdell, Arizona (goalie) Eastern Division Reserves Western Division Reserves Casey Powell, New York Colin Doyle, San Jose Aaron Wilson, Toronto Gavin Prout, Colorado Ryan Boyle, New York Tracey Kelusky, Calgary Scott Evans, Rochester Jeff Zywicki, San Jose Josh Sanderson, Toronto Ryan Powell, Portland Ryan Ward, Minnesota Chris Gill, Edmonton *** Shawn Williams, Rochester Lewis Ratcliff, Calgary Ryan Cousins, Minnesota John Gallant, Colorado Mark Steenhuis, Buffalo Pat Jones, Portland Pat McCready, Buffalo Peter Lough, Arizona (Starting in place of Turner) Steve Toll, Rochester Josh Sims, Colorado (Starting in place of Merrill) Brandon Miller, Chicago (goalie) Gee Nash, Colorado (goalie)   Richard Morgan, Portland (replacing Merrill)   Jimmy Quinlan, Edmonton (replacing Gill)   Bruce Alexander, Portland (replacing Turner) * Unable to play for personal reasons ** Unable to play due to injury *** Unable to play due to family commitments Awards Annual AwardWinnerTeamMVP AwardJohn Grant, Jr.http://nll.com/article.php?id=2947 NLL.com John Grant Wins Dodge Nitro MVP Award May 10, 2007 May 10, 2007 https://web.archive.org/web/20070513060914/http://www.nll.com/article.php?id=2947 May 13, 2007 deadRochesterRookie of the Year AwardRyan Beneschhttp://nll.com/article.php?id=2942 NLL.com Benesch Named Rookie of the Year May 8, 2007 May 8, 2007 https://web.archive.org/web/20070512072522/http://www.nll.com/article.php?id=2942 May 12, 2007 deadTorontoLes Bartley Award (Coach of the Year)Ed Comeauhttp://www.nll.com/article.php?id=2927 Ed Comeau Wins Les Bartley Award NLL.com May 3, 2007 May 3, 2007RochesterGM of the Year AwardMarty O'Neillhttp://nll.com/article.php?id=2928 Marty O'Neill Named GM of the Year NLL.com May 4, 2007 May 4, 2007 October 19, 2007 https://web.archive.org/web/20071019143110/http://nll.com/article.php?id=2928 deadMinnesotaTom Borrelli AwardTy Pilsonhttp://nll.com/article.php?id=2939 Dave Zygaj Named NLL Executive of the Year NLL.com May 7, 2007 May 7, 2007 https://web.archive.org/web/20070512072141/http://www.nll.com/article.php?id=2939 May 12, 2007 deadCalgaryExecutive of the Year AwardDave ZygajBuffaloDefensive Player of the Year AwardRyan Cousinshttp://www.nll.com/article.php?id=2924 Cousins named Defensive Player of the Year May 1, 2007 May 1, 2007 NLL.com April 16, 2008 https://web.archive.org/web/20080416155522/http://www.nll.com/article.php?id=2924 dead MinnesotaTransition Player of the Year AwardSteve Tollhttp://www.nll.com/article.php?id=2925 Toll named Transition Player of the Year May 1, 2007 May 1, 2007 NLL.com RochesterGoaltender of the Year AwardAnthony Cosmohttp://nll.com/article.php?id=2926 Cosmo Wins Progressive Goalie of the Year NLL.com May 2, 2007 May 2, 2007 April 16, 2008 https://web.archive.org/web/20080416155532/http://nll.com/article.php?id=2926 deadSan JoseSportsmanship AwardTracy Keluskyhttp://www.nll.com/article.php?id=2919 Kelusky wins Sportsmanship Award April 30, 2007 April 30, 2007 NLL.com https://web.archive.org/web/20070612152206/http://www.nll.com/article.php?id=2919 June 12, 2007 deadCalgaryChampionship Game MVPJohn Grant, Jr.Rochester All-Pro Teams First Team John Tavares, Buffalo John Grant, Jr., Rochester Dan Dawson, Arizona Steve Toll, Rochester Ryan Cousins, Minnesota Anthony Cosmo, San Jose Second Team Gavin Prout, Colorado Colin Doyle, San Jose Casey Powell, New York Lewis Ratcliff, Calgary Shawn Williams, Rochester Nick Patterson, Minnesota All-Rookie Team Ryan Benesch, Toronto Geoff Snider, Philadelphia Athan Iannucci, Philadelphia Bill McGlone, Chicago Nenad Gajic, Colorado Jamie Shewchuk, Colorado Weekly awards The NLL gives out awards weekly for the best overall player, best offensive player, best transition player (new for 2007), best defensive player, and best rookie. Month Week Overall Offensive Defensive Transition Rookie December 1 Brian Langtry Brian Langtry Dallas Eliuk Josh Sims Jed Prossner January 2 Gee Nash Chris Gill Brandon Miller Josh Sims Bill McGlone 3 Pat O'Toole Jeff Zywicki Pat O'Toole Brodie Merrill Kyle Wailes 4 Rob Blasdell John Tavares Rob Blasdell Mark Steenhuis Ryan Benesch 5 John Grant, Jr. John Grant, Jr. Brandon Miller Geoff Snider Athan Iannucci February 6 Bob Watson Dan Dawson Bob Watson Josh Sims Jamie Shewchuk 7 John Tavares John Tavares Curtis Palidwor Mark Steenhuis Ian Llord 8 Steve Dietrich Dan Dawson Steve Dietrich Nenad Gajic Kyle Wailes 9 John Grant, Jr. John Grant, Jr. Gee Nash Pat McCready Cody Jacobs March 10 John Tavares John Tavares Peter Lough Steve Toll Brendan Mundorf 11 No awards given due to All-Star Game 12 Gary Rosyski Gary Rosyski Curtis Palidwor Mark Steenhuis Ryan Benesch 13 John Tavares John Tavares Bob Watson Mark Steenhuis Ryan Benesch April 14 Dan Dawson Dan Dawson Bob Watson Brett Bucktooth Mike McLellan 15 Steve Dietrich John Grant, Jr. Steve Dietrich Mark Steenhuis Athan Iannucci 16 Luke Wiles Luke Wiles Nick Patterson Steve Toll Matt Zash Monthly awards Awards are also given out monthly for the best overall player and best rookie. Month Overall Rookie January Rob Blasdell Geoff Snider February Gee Nash Nenad Gajic March John Tavares Ryan Benesch Statistics leaders Bold numbers indicate new single-season records. Italics indicate tied single-season records. StatPlayerTeamNumberGoalsJohn Grant, Jr.Rochester51AssistsJohn TavaresBuffalo61PointsJohn Grant, Jr.Rochester111Penalty MinutesScott DitzellRochester68Shots on GoalLewis RatcliffCalgary203Loose BallsBrodie MerrillPortland196Save PctAnthony CosmoSan Jose79.2GAAAnthony CosmoSan Jose10.22 Attendance Regular season + Home team Home games Average attendance Total Attendancehttp://d15k3om16n459i.cloudfront.net/prostats/attendance.html?leagueid=230&seasonid=1322 National Lacrosse League - attendance | Pointstreak Sports TechnologiesColorado Mammoth 816,794134,359Toronto Rock815,851126,815Buffalo Bandits 815,040120,324Calgary Roughnecks 8 12,707101,659Philadelphia Wings811,31890,547Edmonton Rush810,81586,521Rochester Knighthawks89,95179,612Minnesota Swarm89,40575,244New York Titans87,65761,262Portland LumberJax87,52760,218Arizona Sting86,04948,398Chicago Shamrox 8 6,02548,202San Jose Stealth 84,67637,414League10410,2931,070,575 Playoffs + Home team Home games Average attendance Total Attendancehttp://d15k3om16n459i.cloudfront.net/prostats/attendance.html?leagueid=230&seasonid=1841 National Lacrosse League - attendance | Pointstreak Sports TechnologiesColorado Mammoth 116,30916,309Calgary Roughnecks310,05710,057Buffalo Bandits19,0039,003Arizona Sting28,36016,720Rochester Knighthawks27,78015,561League79,66467,650 See also 2007 in sports References 30em External links 2007 NLL schedule https://web.archive.org/web/20071007225033/http://nll.com/article.php?id=306 October 7, 2007 2007 NLL standings 07 National Lacrosse League