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Toronto Rock vs. Rochester Knighthawks Game Preview

By Austin Owens

TORONTO, ON - NOVEMBER 13: An exterior view of the Air Canada Centre prior to a game between the Montreal Canadiens and the Toronto Maple Leafs on November 13, 2007 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)
TORONTO, ON - NOVEMBER 13: An exterior view of the Air Canada Centre prior to a game between the Montreal Canadiens and the Toronto Maple Leafs on November 13, 2007 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images) /
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Two East Division Rivals meet for the first time this season as the Rochester Knighthawks invade the ACC for a meeting with the Toronto Rock

It’s been about as good as it could be for the Toronto Rock over the last two weeks. The team has scored 44 goals over the last two games, eclipsing 20 goals in each.

Last week, the Rock put on an offensive clinic, burying the Vancouver Stealth 24-7, and scoring a league record 17 goals in the first half.

They return home for East Division action Friday against the Rochester Knighthawks.

The teams faced off three times in 2017, with the Rock taking the season series. There is never any love lost between the rivals, so this game should be another good game to kick off this week’s slate of National Lacrosse League action.

Rochester finished outside the NLL Playoffs last season and had three picks in the top six of the 2017 NLL Draft. With the second overall selection, they took transition man Jake Withers from Ohio State. With their other two first rounders, they selected Withers’ Buckeyes teammates in forwards Austin Shanks and Eric Fannell.

The Knighthawks come into the matchup off a bye week. This will be the first game of a back-to-back over the weekend. They had a very gutsy performance against the Georgia Swarm in their last game after travel issues caused them to get to the arena right before an already pushed back game time. They dropped the contest by a 14-11 score.

Key Players

Toronto

More from Tip of the Tower

Adam Jones – Jones is no stranger to big performances. The NLL points leader should have another solid performance in store for the home crowd.

Rob Hellyer – The difference between his play in the first two games of the season and last two are night and day. He and Schreiber have figured it out on the left side of the floor.

Tom Schreiber – Captain America is coming off the best offensive performance of his young career. The Knighthawks defence will be keyed in on Schreiber, who possesses a great passing ability and an even better shot.

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Sheldon Burns – The Rock acquired Burns two weeks ago for a boost on defence in transition. He’s got a goal in each of his first two games with the Rock. He has helped moved the ball up the floor.

Rochester

Cody Jamieson – Back to full health for the first time in a few seasons, Jamieson is the best player in the NLL when he’s at top form.

Joe Resetarits – He leads the Knighthawks in points through their first three games this season. He also has five points on the power-play. Look for Resatarits to be a leader for the K-Hawks.

Dan Dawson – The veteran righty has been a thorn in the sides of the Rock for his entire career. He’s off to a great start this season, with 12 assists and 18 points. At six-foot-five, he’s still one of the toughest covers in the league

Matt Vinc – The multi-time winner of the NLL Goaltender of the Year will be looking to stimy the red-hot Rock offence.

Next: Rock lay a 24-7 beating on Vancouver Stealth

What do you think the final score will be in this game and who has the edge? Let us know in the comments below.

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