Mammoth to air 15 games on Altitude

DENVER - The Colorado Mammoth have announced that it has signed a partnership agreement with Altitude Sports & Entertainment that will make the network the exclusive television home for Mammoth broadcasts for 15 regular-season games.
"We are excited to create a new partnership with Altitude that allows Mammoth games to return to TV," said Mammoth President & General Manager Steve Govett. "Our collective exploration of new technology with the Altitude management team will allow the Mammoth to have the best television exposure in the National Lacrosse League. Altitude once again has shown its commitment not only to the Mammoth but also to the NLL, and fans throughout the league will benefit from this broadcast partnership."
To read more http://nll.com/article.php?id=4708

- by http://nll.com

Rush sign McBride and Morgan

EDMONTON - Edmonton Rush general manager/head coach Derek Keenan announced four roster moves as his club begins its final preparations for the start of the 2011 National Lacrosse League season.
The Rush open the NLL campaign on Saturday, Jan. 8 by paying a visit to the defending East Division-champion Toronto Rock.
The Rush signed two players to bolster its transition and defensive corps, bringing in skilled loose-ball collector Bobby McBride and sizeable defender David Morgan. To make room on the roster, the Rush have released defender Ian Crashley and moved transition Devan Wray to the practice roster.

To read more http://www.edmontonrush.com/edmrush_news_details_Dec29.php

- by http://www.edmontonrush.com

Knighthawks practice for the first time as a unit at the ILA

With nine days until the season opener in Minnesota, the Rochester Knighthawks went to work at the Iroquois Lacrosse Arena. The two-hour session was the first time the team practiced since the 23-man roster cut down last week.
“It is a change in here,"   first-year Knighthawks head coach Mike  said about the January 8 opener against the Swarm. "The guys responded well and there was a good flow. A little more teaching to go, but we will be ready next week.”

- story from http://knighthawks.net
To read more click here http://knighthawks.net/news/index.html?article_id=817

Bling bling

With its roster set and ready to defend its NLL championship, the Washington Stealth are ready to get their hands on the championship rings they earned in 2010.
Here's a sneak peak at what they look like. Pretty impressive.

Edmonton Rush TV schedule

Thanks to CityTV, the Edmonton Rush will get some air time this season.
Here's the schedule

2011 Edmonton Rush Television Broadcast Schedule

Date Game Start Time (MT) Broadcast

Saturday, Jan. 8 at Toronto 5 p.m. TSN2
Saturday, Jan. 15 at Boston 5:30 p.m. CityTV
Saturday, Jan. 22 at Minnesota 6:30 p.m. CityTV
Saturday, Jan. 29 at Calgary 7:30 p.m. CityTV
Saturday, Feb. 12 at Washington 8:30 p.m. CityTV
Saturday, Feb. 26 at Rochester 5:30 p.m. CityTV
Saturday, Mar. 9 at Calgary 7:30 p.m. CityTV
Saturday, Apr. 2 at Colorado 7 p.m. CityTV
Saturday, Apr. 16 vs Toronto 7 p.m. TSN2

32 players disciplined for roles in brawl; Campbell & Kruger each suspended, 30 others disciplined

The National Lacrosse League suspended two players and disciplined 30 others Wednesday after a bench-clearing brawl between the Toronto Rock and Buffalo Bandits earlier this month.

Bandits forward Rusty Kruger and Rock goaltender Pat Campbell received one-game suspensions for leaving their benches to join the fight during a pre-season scrimmage on Dec. 15.

Thirty other players were given game misconducts and 16 of those players also received undisclosed fines for leaving their benches.

A player who accumulates three game misconducts over the course of the pre-season and regular season receives an automatic one-game suspension.

Campbell will miss the regular-season opener on Jan. 8 unless an appeal is filed. Kruger has been released by the Bandits and would serve his suspension prior to playing his next NLL game.

The game at the Iroquois Lacrosse Arena was called in the third quarter after the brawl with Buffalo leading 5-4.

The brawl saw players coming off the bench and pairing off across the playing surface, with both goalies joining the melee. Video of the incident shows it started after two players went at it near the Rock goal when a Bandit forward took offence at a cross-check from a Toronto defender as play resumed from a stoppage.

The three officials eventually restored order and sent the players to their benches.

Summary of Discipline

Game Misconducts:

Buffalo: Joe Smith*, Brett Bucktooth (2), Chris Corbeil, Jason Crosbie*, Chad Culp, Tom Montour, Holden Vyse*.

Toronto: Tim O'Brien, Ryan Dilks*, Jeff Gilbert, Stephen Hoar, Stephan Leblanc, Rob Marshall, Brice Queener*

Game Misconduct & Fine (for leaving bench):

Buffalo: Elijah Printup*, Kyle Schmelze*, Steve Priolo, Wayne VanEvery*, Travis Irving, Ian Llord, Isiah Kicksnoway*, Brandon Francis, Jeff Powless

Toronto: Blaine Manning, Pat Saunders, Geoff McNulty*, Damon Edwards*, Kyle Ross, Glen Bryan*, Mike Hobbins

One-Game Suspensions:

Buffalo: Rusty Kruger*

Toronto: Pat Campbell

*denotes players not on team's current 23-man active roster

Sawyer is the head Blazer

Toronto - Toronto Rock assistant coach Matt Sawyer has accepted the position of head coach with the Boston Blazers.

As compensation, the Rock receive a total of three 2nd round entry draft selections from Boston.  The first two will fall in the 2011 draft.  One being Boston's own pick and the other being a pick Boston acquired from Minnesota.  The third draft pick is Boston's 2nd round pick in 2012.

to read more http://www.torontorock.com/article/rock-assistant-coach-moves-on

TSN2 the home of the Toronto Rock

Like every lacrosse fan I'm happy a major network is covering the league, but why has TSN relegated the NLL to its second channel?

Toronto - The 2010 East Division Champion Toronto Rock and TSN2 have announced that ten regular season National Lacrosse League Rock games will be broadcast live this season.

“TSN has shown a commitment to the Toronto Rock by making the games available live on TSN2 and we are thrilled to be back this year to build on what we started last season,” said Toronto Rock Owner and President Jamie Dawick. “With six home games and four additional games on the road, it gives our fans the chance to follow our team from anywhere in Canada.”

For the second consecutive season Rock fans will be able to watch the Rock at home and on the road.  The Toronto Rock broadcast schedule on TSN2 begins with the home opener on Saturday, January 8 when the Edmonton Rush visit Air Canada Centre at 7:00pm.  Games against Rochester, Buffalo, Calgary, Boston and Philadelphia also highlight the TSN2 schedule.  Another marquee game featured on the TSN2 schedule is the rematch of the 2010 Champion’s Cup Final on April 1 when defending champion Washington travel to Toronto to face the Rock.

“The Toronto Rock has a strong and dedicated fan base and we’re excited to continue to provide live game coverage throughout the team’s 2011 season to lacrosse fans across Canada,” said Stewart Johnston, President of TSN. “After an impressive playoff run last season we’re looking forward to what’s sure to be another exciting season of Rock lacrosse this year.”

“Working with TSN has been a great experience for our club,” Dawick adds.  “The people at TSN are first class and the Rock are proud to be associated with Canada’s sports leader.”

The Toronto Rock's TSN2 broadcast schedule is as follows, all times Eastern:

DATE	OPPONENT	TIME
Sat. January 8th	Edmonton Rush	7:00 p.m.
Sat. January 15th	@ Rochester Knighthawks	7:30 p.m.
Fri. January 21st	Boston Blazers	7:30 p.m.
Sat. January 29th	Buffalo Bandits	7:00 p.m.
Sat. February 5th	@ Boston Blazers	7:30 p.m.
Sat. February 12th	Calgary Roughnecks	7:00 p.m.
Fri. March 4th	Philadelphia Wings	7:30 p.m.
Fri. March 25th	@ Calgary Roughnecks	9:30 p.m.
Fri. April 1st	Washington Stealth	7:30 p.m.
Sat. April 16th	@ Edmonton Rush	9:00 p.m. *

*Broadcast time subject to change.

NLL pre-season brawl

Here is the now famous pre-season bench brawl between the Toronto Rock and Buffalo Bandits.

Peterborough Lakers win Mann Cup

After a two-year absence, the Mann Cup is back in Peterborough hands with that city's 13th Canadian senior A lacrosse title following a 15-9 victory over the New Westminster Salmonbellies before a sold-out 3,961 fans at the Memorial Centre.

Salmonbellies punch Mann Cup ticket

The New Westminster Salmonbellies punched its ticket to the 2010 Mann Cup championship series thanks to a 4-0 sweep over the Victoria Shamrocks.

Lakers claim 2010 MSL title

The Peterborough Lakers captured the 2010 MSL championship after beating the Brampton Excelsiors 11-9 in Game 6 of the championships series.  
The Lakers earned its berth and the right to host the 2010 Mann Cup against the New Westminster Salmonbellies.

All about the Mann Cup

Thanks to TVCogeco, here is a piece they did on the history of the Mann Cup.

2010 Minto Cup

The Coquitlam Adanacs captured the 2010 Minto Cup thanks to a 2-0 series win over the Orangeville Northmen. 

In front of their home crowd, the Adanacs won Game 1, 9-5, and  then took Game 2, 8-4.

The victory marked the first time a Western team has taken the prize since 2005, and is Coquitlam’s first ever Minto Cup title. 

The championship dates back to 1901.

2010 Founders Cup

Here are the highlights from the 2010 Founders Cup championship game. In front of a packed house the Halton Hills Bulldogs beat the Mimico Mountaineers 4-3 in double overtime.

 

2010 Six Nations Rebels video Part 1

Here's a video from the Six Nations Rebels