The NLL Playoffs are back in Rochester! The Knighthawks earned their first home postseason game since 2007 after a 9-7 victory Saturday night over the Philadelphia Wings at The Blue Cross Arena. Rochester will host the Wings in the Divisional Semifinal Game on Friday, May 4th at 7:30 p.m.
 
Head-to-Head: The Knighthawks won all three meetings to improve to 25-16 all-time against the Wings. Rochester is 1-2 in the postseason against the Wings. The last time they met was on April 20, 2001 when the Wings defeated Rochester 12-11 en route to their last NLL title. In the three-game series, Rochester was led by 19 points from Mike Accursi and Cody Jamieson. Stephen Keogh also recorded 16 points in the head-to-head series. Philadelphia received 17 points from Kevin Crowley and 15 from Dan Dawson.
 
Home is where the wins are: Rochester is riding a three-game home playoff winning streak dating back to the 2006 season. The Knighthawks own a 6-2 record in home playoff games.
 
Party like it’s 2007: The Knighthawks last hosted a playoff game on April 27, 2007 when they defeated the Buffalo Bandits 14-13 in overtime to advance to the NLL Finals. Rochester went on to win its second NLL Championship.
 
A Perfect 10: Tickets for the playoff game are just $10 in the best available seating area. For ticket information, call (585) 454-4295 or go online to www.knighthawks.com.
 
Scouting the Knighthawks: Rochester ended its season with wins in two of its last three games to improve to 7-9 and clinch second place in the East Division. It marks the highest finish for a Knighthawks’ team since the 2007 season. The consecutive playoff appearances marks the first time the team has advanced to the postseason in back-to-back seasons since 2006-07. On Saturday, rookie Stephen Keogh scored a career-high four goals and tied a career best with six points. Matt Vinc was stellar in goal with a 35-save effort. Craig Point (2+1), Joe Walters (1+2) and Johnny Powless (1+2) also had solid three-point games for Rochester. Vinc ended the season with 583 saves, which was the third highest total in single-season team history. He was second in the NLL in saves, tied for third in wins (7) and fifth in goals-against average (12.21).
 
Award Winners: Jamieson was named the Ricoh MVP, while Powless won Thunder Tribe Rookie of the Year honors. Pat McCready won the Army ROTC Defensive Player of the Year. Dylan Evans was honored as the Most Improved Player and Cory Vitarelli earned the Seneca Niagara Casino Unsung Hero. Additionally, Walters, Keogh and Joel White shared the Community Service award.
 
Scouting the Wings: The Wings ended the regular season with five straight losses and missed a chance to host a home playoff game for the first time since 2002. Philadelphia finished 7-9 and in third place in the East. On Saturday, Brendan Mundorf led Philly with four goals and three assists. Rookie Kevin Crowley recorded four assists and Dan Dawson collected three points (2+1). Dawson reached the 100-point plateau for the third time in his career. He finished third in the NLL with 103 points and second in assists with 78. Crowley and Drew Westervelt finished tied for fourth in the league with 36 goals. For Westervelt it was his highest goal total in his five pro seasons. The Wings had two players in the Top 5 in loose balls with Jeff Reynolds ranking second (166) and Brodie Merrill (157) holding down fourth. Reynolds was also third in faceoff wins with 244. Goalie Brandon Miller was tied for third in wins (7) and fourth in saves (547).