2007 NLL season

Last updated

2007 NLL season
League National Lacrosse League
Sport Indoor lacrosse
DurationDecember 30, 2006 – May 12, 2007
Number of games16
Number of teams13
Regular season
Season MVP John Grant, Jr. (Rochester Knighthawks)
Top scorer John Grant, Jr. (Rochester Knighthawks)
Playoffs
Eastern champions Rochester Knighthawks
  Eastern runners-up Buffalo Bandits
Western champions Colorado Mammoth
  Western runners-up Calgary Roughnecks
Champion's Cup
Champions Rochester Knighthawks
  Runners-up Arizona Sting
Finals MVP John Grant, Jr. (Rochester)
NLL seasons

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.

Contents

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. [1]

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. [2] 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. [3] 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. [4]

Final standings

Reference: [5]

East Division
PTeamGPWLPCTGBHomeRoadGFGADiffGF/GPGA/GP

1 Rochester Knighthawks –xyz16142.8750.08–06–2249194+5515.5612.12
2 Buffalo Bandits –x16106.6254.06–24–4207188+1912.9411.75
3 Minnesota Swarm –x1697.5625.04–45–3200207−712.5012.94
4 Toronto Rock –x16610.3758.03–53–5187183+411.6911.44
5 Chicago Shamrox 16610.3758.04–42–6176191−1511.0011.94
6 Philadelphia Wings 16610.3758.04–42–6178186−811.1211.62
7 New York Titans 16412.25010.03–51–7195233−3812.1914.56
West Division
PTeamGPWLPCTGBHomeRoadGFGADiffGF/GPGA/GP

1 Colorado Mammoth –xy16124.7500.07–15–3209179+3013.0611.19
2 Calgary Roughnecks –x1697.5623.04–45–3219202+1713.6912.62
3 Arizona Sting –x1697.5623.06–23–5188181+711.7511.31
4 San Jose Stealth –x1697.5623.04–45–3181170+1111.3110.62
5 Edmonton Rush 16610.3756.04–42–6160189−2910.0011.81
6 Portland LumberJax 16412.2508.03–51–7153199−469.5612.44

x: Clinched playoff berth; c: Clinched playoff berth by crossing over to another division; y: Clinched division; z: Clinched best regular season record; GP: Games Played
W: Wins; L: Losses; GB:  Games back; PCT: Win percentage; Home: Record at Home; Road: Record on the Road; GF: Goals scored; GA: Goals allowed
Differential: Difference between goals scored and allowed; GF/GP: Average number of goals scored per game; GA/GP: Average number of goals allowed per game

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). [6]
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). [6]

Playoffs

Divisional Semifinal Divisional Final Champion's Cup Final
         
1 Rochester10
4 Toronto 6
1 Rochester14 (OT)
Eastern Division
2 Buffalo 13
2 Buffalo14
3 Minnesota 8
E1 Rochester13
W3 Arizona 11
1 Colorado 14
4 San Jose15 (OT)
3 Arizona9
Western Division
4 San Jose 7
2 Calgary 9
3 Arizona13

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. [1]

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. [7] The main changes are:

Milestones

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. [14] 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 ReservesWestern 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, MinnesotaChris Gill, Edmonton ***
Shawn Williams, Rochester Lewis Ratcliff, Calgary
Ryan Cousins, Minnesota John Gallant, Colorado
Mark Steenhuis, BuffaloPat 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 due to personal reasons
** Unable to play due to injury
*** Unable to play due to family commitments

Awards

Annual

AwardWinnerTeam
MVP Award John Grant, Jr. [15] Rochester
Rookie of the Year Award Ryan Benesch [16] Toronto
Les Bartley Award (Coach of the Year)Ed Comeau [17] Rochester
GM of the Year Award Marty O'Neill [18] Minnesota
Tom Borrelli Award Ty Pilson [19] Calgary
Executive of the Year Award Dave Zygaj [19] Buffalo
Defensive Player of the Year Award Ryan Cousins [20] Minnesota
Transition Player of the Year Award Steve Toll [21] Rochester
Goaltender of the Year Award Anthony Cosmo [22] San Jose
Sportsmanship Award Tracy Kelusky [23] Calgary
Championship Game MVPJohn Grant, Jr. [2] Rochester

All-Pro Teams

First Team

Second Team

All-Rookie Team

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.

MonthWeekOverallOffensiveDefensiveTransitionRookie
December1Brian LangtryBrian Langtry Dallas Eliuk Josh Sims Jed Prossner
January2 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
February6 Bob Watson Dan Dawson Bob WatsonJosh SimsJamie Shewchuk
7John TavaresJohn Tavares Curtis Palidwor Mark Steenhuis Ian Llord
8 Steve Dietrich Dan DawsonSteve Dietrich Nenad Gajic Kyle Wailes
9John Grant, Jr.John Grant, Jr.Gee NashPat McCreadyCody Jacobs
March10John TavaresJohn Tavares Peter Lough Steve Toll Brendan Mundorf
11No awards given due to All-Star Game
12Gary RosyskiGary RosyskiCurtis PalidworMark SteenhuisRyan Benesch
13John TavaresJohn Tavares Bob Watson Mark SteenhuisRyan Benesch
April14Dan DawsonDan DawsonBob WatsonBrett Bucktooth Mike McLellan
15Steve DietrichJohn Grant, Jr.Steve DietrichMark SteenhuisAthan 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.

MonthOverallRookie
JanuaryRob BlasdellGeoff Snider
FebruaryGee NashNenad Gajic
MarchJohn TavaresRyan Benesch

Statistics leaders

Bold numbers indicate new single-season records. Italics indicate tied single-season records.

StatPlayerTeamNumber
Goals John Grant, Jr. Rochester51
Assists John Tavares Buffalo61
PointsJohn Grant, Jr.Rochester111
Penalty MinutesScott DitzellRochester68
Shots on Goal Lewis Ratcliff Calgary203
Loose Balls Brodie Merrill Portland196
Save Pct Anthony Cosmo San Jose79.2
GAAAnthony CosmoSan Jose10.22

Attendance

Regular Season

Home TeamHome GamesAverage AttendanceTotal Attendance [24]
Colorado Mammoth816,794134,359
Toronto Rock815,851126,815
Buffalo Bandits815,040120,324
Calgary Roughnecks812,707101,659
Philadelphia Wings811,31890,547
Edmonton Rush810,81586,521
Rochester Knighthawks89,95179,612
Minnesota Swarm89,40575,244
New York Titans87,65761,262
Portland LumberJax87,52760,218
Arizona Sting86,04948,398
Chicago Shamrox86,02548,202
San Jose Stealth84,67637,414
League10410,2931,070,575

Playoffs

Home TeamHome GamesAverage AttendanceTotal Attendance [25]
Colorado Mammoth116,30916,309
Calgary Roughnecks310,05710,057
Buffalo Bandits19,0039,003
Arizona Sting28,36016,720
Rochester Knighthawks27,78015,561
League79,66467,650

See also

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References

  1. 1 2 "Arizona To Host Championship Game". NLL.com. April 30, 2007. Archived from the original on April 16, 2008. Retrieved April 30, 2007.
  2. 1 2 "John Grant Named Championship Game MVP". NLL.com. May 12, 2007. Archived from the original on May 17, 2007. Retrieved May 13, 2007.
  3. ↑ "NLL & SIRIUS Sign Broadcasting Agreement". NLL.com. February 1, 2007. Archived from the original on May 4, 2007. Retrieved March 24, 2007.
  4. ↑ "NLL & SIRIUS Announce Lacrosse Talk Show". NLL.com. March 7, 2007. Archived from the original on March 12, 2007. Retrieved March 24, 2007.
  5. ↑ "National Lacrosse League - 2007 Regular Season - Standings". NLL.com. Retrieved May 3, 2012.
  6. 1 2 "Opening Round Playoff Matchups Set". NLL.com. April 14, 2007. Archived from the original on April 21, 2007. Retrieved April 14, 2007.
  7. ↑ "NLL Announces Rule Changes For 2007". NLL.com. December 12, 2006. Archived from the original on December 27, 2006. Retrieved January 1, 2007.
  8. ↑ "Weekend Recap: NLL News & Notes". NLL.com. January 15, 2007. Retrieved January 15, 2007.
  9. ↑ "K-Hawks Outscore Titans in Shootout". NLL.com. January 27, 2007. Retrieved January 27, 2007.
  10. ↑ "Week 13 Recap: News and Notes". NLL.com. March 26, 2007. Archived from the original on April 1, 2007. Retrieved March 26, 2007.
  11. ↑ "Rochester handles Wings 12–10". NLL.com. March 31, 2007. Retrieved April 1, 2007.
  12. ↑ "NLL to play 1,000th game on Saturday". NLL.com. March 27, 2007. Archived from the original on April 1, 2007. Retrieved April 10, 2007.
  13. ↑ "Mammoth come back to beat Swarm, 11–9". NLL.com. April 1, 2007. Retrieved April 10, 2007.
  14. ↑ "East Wins All-Star Game 20–16". NLL.com. March 11, 2007. Archived from the original on March 15, 2007. Retrieved March 11, 2007.
  15. ↑ "John Grant Wins Dodge Nitro MVP Award". NLL.com. May 10, 2007. Archived from the original on May 13, 2007. Retrieved May 10, 2007.
  16. ↑ "Benesch Named Rookie of the Year". NLL.com. May 8, 2007. Archived from the original on May 12, 2007. Retrieved May 8, 2007.
  17. ↑ "Ed Comeau Wins Les Bartley Award". NLL.com. May 3, 2007. Retrieved May 3, 2007.
  18. ↑ "Marty O'Neill Named GM of the Year". NLL.com. May 4, 2007. Retrieved May 4, 2007.
  19. 1 2 "Dave Zygaj Named NLL Executive of the Year". NLL.com. May 7, 2007. Archived from the original on May 12, 2007. Retrieved May 7, 2007.
  20. ↑ "Cousins named Defensive Player of the Year". NLL.com. May 1, 2007. Archived from the original on April 16, 2008. Retrieved May 1, 2007.
  21. ↑ "Toll named Transition Player of the Year". NLL.com. May 1, 2007. Retrieved May 1, 2007.
  22. ↑ "Cosmo Wins Progressive Goalie of the Year". NLL.com. May 2, 2007. Retrieved May 2, 2007.
  23. ↑ "Kelusky wins Sportsmanship Award". NLL.com. April 30, 2007. Archived from the original on June 12, 2007. Retrieved April 30, 2007.
  24. ↑ "National Lacrosse League - attendance | Pointstreak Sports Technologies".
  25. ↑ "National Lacrosse League - attendance | Pointstreak Sports Technologies".
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