2004 NLL season

Last updated

2004 NLL season
League National Lacrosse League
Sport Indoor lacrosse
DurationDecember 26, 2003 – May 7, 2004
Number of games16
Number of teams10
TV partner(s) Fox Sports Net [1]
Regular season
Season MVP Jim Veltman (Toronto Rock)
Top scorer Gary Gait (Colorado Mammoth)
Playoffs
Eastern champions Toronto Rock
  Eastern runners-up Rochester Knighthawks
Western champions Colorado Mammoth
  Western runners-up San Jose Stealth
Champion's Cup
Champions Calgary Roughnecks
  Runners-up Buffalo Bandits
Finals MVP Curtis Palidwor (Calgary)
NLL seasons

The 2004 National Lacrosse League season is the 18th season in the NLL that began on December 26, 2003, with the Arizona Sting hosting the Vancouver Ravens. That game was the Sting's first-ever game and the first event held in the new Glendale Arena (now Gila River Arena) in Glendale, Arizona. The season concluded with the championship game on May 7, 2004. Over 19,000 fans, the second largest crowd ever at an NLL game, packed the Pengrowth Saddledome (now Scotiabank Saddledome) to watch the Calgary Roughnecks defeat the Buffalo Bandits 14–11. [2] This game was the first NLL championship game since 1998 that did not feature the Toronto Rock.

Contents

The collective bargaining agreement (CBA) between the league and the Professional Lacrosse Players' Association expired before the 2004 season, and the lack of a new agreement caused a 12-day players strike in December 2003. On December 17, the NLL and PLPA announced that the previous CBA had been extended by one year, guaranteeing that the 2004 season would be played without strikes or lockouts. [3]

Team movement

2004 was a season of turmoil for the NLL – two franchises disappeared while three others moved cross-country, causing a division realignment. Gone was the three-division format that had been used in the preceding two seasons; the league was now split into East and West divisions. The Ottawa Rebel and New York Saints franchises both folded, and the following teams moved:

These three joined Colorado, Calgary, and Vancouver in the West division, while perennial rivals Toronto, Buffalo, Rochester, and Philadelphia were left to fight over three playoff spots in the East.

Milestones

Final standings

Regular season

Reference: [6]

East Division
PTeamGPWLPCTGBHomeRoadGFGADiffGF/GPGA/GP

1 Toronto Rock –xy16106.6250.05–35–3202176+2612.6211.00
2 Rochester Knighthawks –x1688.5002.06–22–6173186−1310.8111.62
3 Buffalo Bandits –x1688.5002.04–44–4205198+712.8112.38
4 Philadelphia Wings 1679.4383.03–54–4192198−612.0012.38
West Division
PTeamGPWLPCTGBHomeRoadGFGADiffGF/GPGA/GP

1 Colorado Mammoth –xyz16133.8120.07–16–2223173+5013.9410.81
2 San Jose Stealth –x16115.6882.07–14–4204201+312.7512.56
3 Calgary Roughnecks –x16106.6253.04–46–2214187+2713.3811.69
4 Arizona Sting 1679.4386.06–21–7200208−812.5013.00
5 Vancouver Ravens 16511.3128.03–52–6188213−2511.7513.31
6 Anaheim Storm 16115.06212.01–70–8171227−5610.6914.19

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

Playoffs

Divisional SemifinalsDivisional FinalsChampionship
East Division
3Buffalo19
3Buffalo131Toronto10
2Rochester9E3Buffalo11
W3Calgary14
West Division
3Calgary13
3Calgary151Colorado11
2San Jose14

All Star Game

The 2004 All-Star Game was held at Pepsi Center in Denver on February 22, 2004. The East division defeated the West 19–15, and Buffalo's Mark Steenhuis was named game MVP.

All-Star teams

Eastern Division starters Western Division starters
Colin Doyle, Toronto Gary Gait, Colorado
Blaine Manning, Toronto Tracey Kelusky, Calgary
John Tavares, Buffalo Gavin Prout, Colorado
Pat Coyle, Toronto Jim Moss, San Jose
Mike Hasen, Rochester Andy Ogilvie, Vancouver
Pat O'Toole, Rochester (goalie) Gee Nash, Colorado (goalie)
Eastern Division ReservesWestern Division Reserves
Mike Accursi, BuffaloTed Dowling, Calgary
Jake Bergey, PhiladelphiaMark Shepherd, Anaheim
Paul Cantabene, Philadelphia Jay Jalbert, Colorado
Glenn Clark, TorontoRob Kirkby, Calgary
Kyle Couling, BuffaloMike Law, Anaheim
Steve Dietrich, Buffalo (goalie)Pat Maddalena, Arizona
Derek Malawsky, Rochester Mike Miron, Arizona (goalie)
Tom Marechek, Philadelphia Casey Powell, Anaheim
Jeff Ratcliffe, Philadelphia Josh Sanderson, San Jose
Mark Steenhuis, BuffaloDan Stroup, Vancouver
Andrew Turner, Rochester Kaleb Toth, Calgary
Jim Veltman, Toronto Cam Woods, San Jose

Awards

AwardWinnerTeam
MVP Award Jim Veltman Toronto
Rookie of the Year Award Taylor Wray Calgary
Les Bartley Award (Coach of the Year)Paul DayRochester
GM of the Year Award John Mouradian San Jose
Executive of the Year Award Steve Govett Colorado
Defensive Player of the Year Award Cam Woods (tie)San Jose
  Taylor Wray Calgary
Goaltender of the Year Award Gord Nash Colorado
Sportsmanship Award Gary Gait (tie)Colorado
  Peter Lough Arizona
Championship Game MVP Curtis Palidwor Calgary

Weekly awards

The NLL gives out awards weekly for the best overall player, best offensive player, best defensive player, and best rookie.

WeekOverallOffensiveDefensiveRookie
1No awards given
2 Gary Gait Gary Gait Mike Miron AJ Shannon
3Ted Dowling John Grant, Jr. Matt KingRandy Daly
4 Blaine Manning Blaine Manning Andy Ogilvie Craig Conn
5 Mike Regan Mike ReganBrandon MillerNick Patterson
6 John Tavares Shawn Williams Curtis Palidwor Steve Hoar
7 Dallas Eliuk Derek Malawsky Dallas Eliuk Taylor Wray
8John TavaresJeff Ratcliffe Pat O'Toole Ryan Ward
9 Dan Teat Mark Shepherd Cam Woods AJ Shannon
10Curtis PalidworShawn WilliamsCurtis Palidwor Scott Evans
11Mike MironPat MaddalenaMike MironCam Bergman
12 Jim Veltman Jim VeltmanDwight MaetcheScott Evans
13Shawn WilliamsShawn WilliamsPeter LoughChris Cercy
14Jim Veltman Colin Doyle Dallas EliukRyan Ward
15Shawn WilliamsShawn Williams Pat O'Toole Curtis Smith
16Shawn WilliamsShawn WilliamsPat O'TooleBrad MacDonald

Monthly awards

Awards are also given out monthly for the best overall player and best rookie.

MonthOverallRookie
Jan Gavin Prout Craig Conn
FebJohn TavaresCraig Conn
MarJim VeltmanTaylor Wray

Statistics leaders

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

StatPlayerTeamNumber
Goals Gary Gait Colorado55
Assists Josh Sanderson San Jose61
Points Gary Gait Colorado93
Penalty MinutesTroy BonterreArizona73
Loose Balls Jim Veltman Toronto179
Save Pct Gee Nash Colorado79.0

Attendance

Regular Season

Home TeamHome GamesAverage AttendanceTotal Attendance [7]
Colorado Mammoth817,617140,942
Toronto Rock816,907135,256
Philadelphia Wings813,640109,123
Calgary Roughnecks89,99479,950
Buffalo Bandits88,92971,435
Rochester Knighthawks88,78770,293
Vancouver Ravens87,12456,992
Arizona Sting85,76846,147
San Jose Stealth85,33242,656
Anaheim Storm84,75037,997
League809,749779,946

Playoffs

Home TeamHome GamesAverage AttendanceTotal Attendance [7]
Calgary Roughnecks119,28919,289
Toronto Rock114,61814,618
Colorado Mammoth114,28314,283
Rochester Knighthawks17,0297,029
San Jose Stealth14,8744,874
League512,01960,093

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">National Lacrosse League</span> North American professional box lacrosse league

The National Lacrosse League (NLL) is a men's professional box lacrosse league in North America. The league is headquartered in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Calgary Roughnecks</span> NLL professional box lacrosse team

The Calgary Roughnecks are a professional box lacrosse team based in Calgary, Alberta. They are members of the Western Division of the National Lacrosse League (NLL) and play their home games on WestJet Field at Scotiabank Saddledome. The team name is derived from the roughnecks who work drilling rigs in Alberta's oil and gas industry. The team is affectionately known by fans as the Riggers.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">National Lacrosse League All-Star Game</span>

The National Lacrosse League All Star Game was a box lacrosse game played between two teams representing the two divisions of the National Lacrosse League (NLL). The last game took place during the 2012 season.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2006 NLL season</span> Sports season

The 2006 National Lacrosse League season was the 20th season in the history of the league, which began as the Eagle Pro Box Lacrosse League in 1987. The season began on December 30, 2005 and concluded with the championship game on May 13, 2006.

The 2007 National Lacrosse League season, the 21st in the history of the NLL began on December 30, 2006 and concluded with the championship game on May 12, 2007.

The 2005 National Lacrosse League season is the 19th season of the NLL that began on January 1, 2005 and concluded with the championship game on May 14. The Toronto Rock won their fifth NLL championship, defeating the Arizona Sting 19–13 in Toronto.

The 2003 National Lacrosse League season is the 17th season in the NLL that began on December 27, 2002, and concluded with the championship game on May 3, 2003.

The 2002 National Lacrosse League season is the 16th season in the NLL. The season began on November 16, 2001 and concluded with the championship game on April 13, 2002, so, during that season, it was known as the 2001-2002 season as can be seen in the Albany Attack's 2001-2002 Central Division Championship banner.

The 1995 Major Indoor Lacrosse League season is the 9th season of the league that began on January 7, 1995, and concluded with the championship game on April 8, 1995.

The 2008 National Lacrosse League season, the 22nd in the history of the NLL, began on December 29, 2007, and concluded with the Buffalo Bandits winning the championship game over the Portland LumberJax on May 17, 2008.

The Rochester Knighthawks were a lacrosse team based in Rochester, New York that played in the National Lacrosse League (NLL). The 2007 season was the 13th in franchise history. Rochester started the season 2-2 but then won their last 12 consecutive regular season games. After defeating Toronto and Buffalo in the playoffs, they won the right to host the Championship game against Arizona. However, due to scheduling conflicts at the Blue Cross Arena, the Sting hosted the final game. The Knighthawks extended their winning streak by defeating the Sting 13-11 for their first NLL Championship since 1997.

The Arizona Sting are a lacrosse team based in Phoenix, Arizona playing in the National Lacrosse League (NLL). The 2007 season was the 7th in franchise history and 4th as the Sting.

The Calgary Roughnecks are a lacrosse team based in Calgary, Alberta playing in the National Lacrosse League (NLL). The 2007 season was the 6th in franchise history. The Roughnecks finished 2nd in the western division with a 9-7 record but were eliminated in the first round of the playoffs by the Arizona Sting.

The Edmonton Rush are a lacrosse team based in Edmonton, Alberta playing in the National Lacrosse League (NLL). The 2006 season was the Rush's inaugural season.

The Toronto Rock are a lacrosse team based in Toronto playing in the National Lacrosse League (NLL). The 2008 season was the 12th in franchise history, and 11th as the Rock.

The Calgary Roughnecks are a lacrosse team based in Calgary playing in the National Lacrosse League (NLL). The 2005 season was the 4th in franchise history.

The Arizona Sting are a lacrosse team based in Arizona playing in the National Lacrosse League (NLL). The 2005 season was the 5th in franchise history and 2nd as the Sting.

The Anaheim Storm were a lacrosse team based in Anaheim, California playing in the National Lacrosse League (NLL). The 2005 season was the 4th in franchise history, second in Anaheim, and last before the franchise folded.

The Buffalo Bandits are a lacrosse team based in Buffalo, New York playing in the National Lacrosse League (NLL). The 2009 season was the franchise's 18th season. It was also their first season in title defense since 1997.

The 2014 National Lacrosse League season, the 28th in the history of the NLL, began on December 28, 2013 and ended on May 31, 2014, the date of Game 2 and 3 of the championship series. After finishing the regular season atop the East Division, the Rochester Knighthawks continued winning in the playoffs and took their third consecutive Champion's Cup, the first time a team has won the league title three straight years.

References

  1. ↑ "NLL Champion's Cup Playoffs Games on TV this weekend". Our Sports Central. April 15, 2004.
  2. ↑ Philly, R.A. (May 7, 2004). "Capacity crowd cheers Calgary to Cup". Outsider's Guide to the NLL. Archived from the original on August 18, 2007. Retrieved February 6, 2007.
  3. ↑ "Re-Lax! League Players Reach Agreement". NLL.com. December 17, 2003. Archived from the original on July 14, 2011. Retrieved February 4, 2007.
  4. ↑ Tucker, Seth (January 10, 2004). "Sting outlasts Storm, 19–18, in triple OT". Outsider's Guide to the NLL. Archived from the original on August 18, 2007. Retrieved February 4, 2007.
  5. ↑ Philly, R.A. (December 28, 2004). "League announces various rule changes". Outsider's Guide to the NLL. Archived from the original on August 18, 2007. Retrieved February 4, 2007.
  6. ↑ "National Lacrosse League - 2004 Regular Season - Standings". NLL.com. Retrieved May 3, 2012.
  7. 1 2 "2004 Season". nllstats.com. Retrieved June 16, 2023.


This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.