The 2015
National 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, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
The NLL currently has fifteen teams: ten in the United Stat ...
season, the 29th in the history of the NLL, began on January 2, 2015, and ended with Game 2 of the Champion's Cup Finals series on June 5, 2015. In the finals, the
Edmonton Rush
The Edmonton Rush were a professional lacrosse team in the National Lacrosse League (NLL) that played from 2006 NLL season to 2015.
The team announced on July 20, 2015, that they would be relocating to Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, for the 2016 sea ...
defeated the
Toronto Rock
The Toronto Rock are a professional box lacrosse franchise based in Hamilton, Ontario, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada. They are members of the North Division of the National Lacrosse League (NLL). The team was the first Canadian franchise in the NLL. ...
two games to none to win their first-ever
Champion's Cup
The National Lacrosse League Cup is the trophy awarded each year to the champions of the National Lacrosse League. Prior to 2018, the league awarded the Champions Cup.
Winners
Most Valuable Players
All-time Finals appearances since leagu ...
.
Milestones and events
Pre-season
* August 5, 2014: The Philadelphia Wings announced that they have been purchased and will be moving to Connecticut, to play at the
Mohegan Sun
Mohegan Sun is an American casino, owned and operated by the Mohegan Tribe on of their reservation, along the banks of the Thames River in Uncasville, Connecticut. It has of gambling space.
It is in the foothills of southeastern Connecticut, ...
arena. In September, it was announced that the team would be known as the
New England Black Wolves
The New England Black Wolves were a professional box lacrosse team based in Uncasville, Connecticut. They were members of the East Division of the National Lacrosse League and began play in the winter of 2014–2015 at the Mohegan Sun Arena in Un ...
.
* September 21, 2014: The league announces the winners of
2014
File:2014 Events Collage.png, From top left, clockwise: Stocking up supplies and personal protective equipment (PPE) for the Western African Ebola virus epidemic; Citizens examining the ruins after the Chibok schoolgirls kidnapping; Bundles of wat ...
's annual awards. Winners include
Cody Jamieson
Cody Jamieson (born July 17, 1987) is a Mohawk lacrosse player from the Turtle Clan at Grand River. He plays for the Halifax Thunderbirds of the National Lacrosse League, the New York Lizards of Major League Lacrosse, and the Six Nations Chiefs in ...
(
MVP
In team sports, a most valuable player award, abbreviated 'MVP award', is an honor typically bestowed upon an individual (or individuals, in the instance of a tie) whose individual performance is the greatest in an entire league, for a particu ...
), Logan Schuss (
Rookie of the Year),
Matt Vinc
Matt Vinc (born June 9, 1982 in St. Catharines, Ontario) is a Canadian professional lacrosse goaltender who plays for the Buffalo Bandits in the National Lacrosse League and for the Peterborough Lakers of the Major Series Lacrosse.
He was a me ...
(
Goaltender of the Year), and
Derek Keenan Derek Keenan (born October 2, 1961, in Oshawa, Ontario) is a former lacrosse player, and current head coach and general manager of the Saskatchewan Rush of the National Lacrosse League. Keenan has won the NLL GM of the Year award and the Les Bartle ...
(
Les Bartley Award The Les Bartley Award is given annually to the National Lacrosse League head coach of the year. The award was simply called the Head Coach of the Year award until 2004, when the award was renamed in honour of Les Bartley, the most successful coach i ...
and
GM of the Year)
* September 22, 2014: The league announced that the
Champion's Cup
The National Lacrosse League Cup is the trophy awarded each year to the champions of the National Lacrosse League. Prior to 2018, the league awarded the Champions Cup.
Winners
Most Valuable Players
All-time Finals appearances since leagu ...
finals will expand to a best-of-three series for 2015. In 2014, a two-game series with a deciding "mini-game" was used.
* September 22, 2014: The
Rochester Knighthawks
The Rochester Knighthawks (also known as the K-Hawks) are a professional box lacrosse team in the North Division of the National Lacrosse League. They play in Rochester, New York at the Blue Cross Arena at the War Memorial.
The Knighthawks are ow ...
traded young star
Johnny Powless
Johnny Powless (born March 15, 1993 in Six Nations, Ontario) is an Iroquois professional lacrosse player. Powless currently plays for the Toronto Rock of the National Lacrosse League and the Oakville Rock of Major Series Lacrosse. Powless won NLL ...
along with Joel McCready and two 2014 draft picks to the
Vancouver Stealth
The Vancouver Warriors are a professional box lacrosse team in the National Lacrosse League. The team moved from Everett, Washington, for the 2014 NLL season.
History
The Warriors are based in Vancouver, British Columbia, and play at Rogers Ar ...
for two 2014 draft picks and first round picks in 2015 and 2017.
* October 23, 2014: The
Vancouver Stealth
The Vancouver Warriors are a professional box lacrosse team in the National Lacrosse League. The team moved from Everett, Washington, for the 2014 NLL season.
History
The Warriors are based in Vancouver, British Columbia, and play at Rogers Ar ...
announced that team captain Kyle Sorensen would miss the entire 2015 season due to knee surgery. Less than a week later, the
Toronto Rock
The Toronto Rock are a professional box lacrosse franchise based in Hamilton, Ontario, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada. They are members of the North Division of the National Lacrosse League (NLL). The team was the first Canadian franchise in the NLL. ...
announced that their captain
Colin Doyle would also miss the season due to a shoulder injury.
* November 21, 2014:
Scott Ranger
Scott Ranger (born June 21, 1983, in Nanaimo, British Columbia) is a former professional Canadian lacrosse player who played for the Calgary Roughnecks and San Jose Stealth in the National Lacrosse League.
Ranger was drafted by the San Jose St ...
announced his retirement from the NLL after eight seasons.
* November 27, 2014: Toronto Rock GM
Terry Sanderson died of a heart attack at age 62.
* December 7, 2014: Former league commissioner Jim Jennings died of long-standing cancer at age 53.
* December 11, 2014: Stealth forward Johnny Powless is announced as a finalist in the voting for the
Lou Marsh Trophy
The Northern Star Award, formerly known as the Lou Marsh Trophy, the Lou Marsh Memorial Trophy and Lou Marsh Award, is a trophy that is awarded annually to Canada's top athlete, professional or amateur. It is awarded by a panel of journalists, wit ...
, given annually to Canada's top athlete. In 2014, Powless won the NLL Championship with the
Rochester Knighthawks
The Rochester Knighthawks (also known as the K-Hawks) are a professional box lacrosse team in the North Division of the National Lacrosse League. They play in Rochester, New York at the Blue Cross Arena at the War Memorial.
The Knighthawks are ow ...
, the
Mann Cup
The Mann Cup is the trophy awarded to the senior men's box lacrosse champions of Canada. The championship is a best-of-seven, East vs West series played between the league champions of Major Series Lacrosse, the East, and Western Lacrosse Associati ...
with the Six Nations Arrows, and the
Minto Cup
The Minto Cup is awarded annually to the champion junior men's box lacrosse team of Canada.
It was donated in 1901 by the Governor-General, Lord Minto. Originally restricted to amateurs, within three years the first under-the-table professional ...
with the Six Nations Arrows.
* December 15, 2014: The Edmonton Rush announced that head coach and GM Derek Keenan would be taking an indefinite leave of absence due to personal reasons. Keenan's wife Wendy had suffered from cancer for a year, and died on January 3, 2015.
* December 21, 2014: Former
Vancouver Stealth
The Vancouver Warriors are a professional box lacrosse team in the National Lacrosse League. The team moved from Everett, Washington, for the 2014 NLL season.
History
The Warriors are based in Vancouver, British Columbia, and play at Rogers Ar ...
and
Calgary Roughnecks
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 t ...
head coach and NLL Hall of Famer Chris Hall died of cancer. Hall missed the entire 2012 season due to his illness, but returned in 2013. He retired after the 2014 season and was named to the NLL Hall of Fame in the Class of 2014.
Regular season
* January 21, 2015: The Edmonton Rush announce that Derek Keenan would resume his head coaching duties beginning with their game in Calgary on January 24.
* March 28, 2015: The
Toronto Rock
The Toronto Rock are a professional box lacrosse franchise based in Hamilton, Ontario, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada. They are members of the North Division of the National Lacrosse League (NLL). The team was the first Canadian franchise in the NLL. ...
clinched a playoff berth with a 12–10 road win against the
Calgary Roughnecks
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 t ...
which gave them an 11–3 record. It is the sixth straight playoff appearance for the Rock.
* March 30, 2015: The Minnesota Swarm traded captain Andrew Suitor to the New England Black Wolves in exchange for their captain Joel White as well as a 2017 second round draft pick.
* April 4, 2015: With a record of 11–4, the
Toronto Rock
The Toronto Rock are a professional box lacrosse franchise based in Hamilton, Ontario, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada. They are members of the North Division of the National Lacrosse League (NLL). The team was the first Canadian franchise in the NLL. ...
clinched no worse than home-floor advantage for the division semifinals when the
Buffalo Bandits
The Buffalo Bandits are a professional box lacrosse team in the East Division of the National Lacrosse League (NLL). They play at the KeyBank Center in Buffalo, New York. The Bandits played in the Major Indoor Lacrosse League from 1992 to 1997, t ...
lost at home to the
New England Black Wolves
The New England Black Wolves were a professional box lacrosse team based in Uncasville, Connecticut. They were members of the East Division of the National Lacrosse League and began play in the winter of 2014–2015 at the Mohegan Sun Arena in Un ...
, 12–11.
* April 4, 2015: The
Edmonton Rush
The Edmonton Rush were a professional lacrosse team in the National Lacrosse League (NLL) that played from 2006 NLL season to 2015.
The team announced on July 20, 2015, that they would be relocating to Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, for the 2016 sea ...
clinched a playoff berth and no worse than home-floor advantage for the division semifinals with a 17–10 road win over the
Vancouver Stealth
The Vancouver Warriors are a professional box lacrosse team in the National Lacrosse League. The team moved from Everett, Washington, for the 2014 NLL season.
History
The Warriors are based in Vancouver, British Columbia, and play at Rogers Ar ...
which gave the Rush a 9–4 record.
It is the fourth straight playoff appearance for the Rush.
* April 4, 2015: With a record of 8–6, the
Colorado Mammoth
The Colorado Mammoth are a box lacrosse team playing in the National Lacrosse League. The Mammoth have played at Ball Arena in Denver, Colorado, since the 2003 season. They are owned by Stan Kroenke, who is also the owner of the Colorado Avalanch ...
clinched a playoff berth when the
Vancouver Stealth
The Vancouver Warriors are a professional box lacrosse team in the National Lacrosse League. The team moved from Everett, Washington, for the 2014 NLL season.
History
The Warriors are based in Vancouver, British Columbia, and play at Rogers Ar ...
lost at home to the
Edmonton Rush
The Edmonton Rush were a professional lacrosse team in the National Lacrosse League (NLL) that played from 2006 NLL season to 2015.
The team announced on July 20, 2015, that they would be relocating to Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, for the 2016 sea ...
, 17–10.
It is the fifth straight playoff appearance for the Mammoth.
* April 10, 2015: With a record of 8–6, the
Colorado Mammoth
The Colorado Mammoth are a box lacrosse team playing in the National Lacrosse League. The Mammoth have played at Ball Arena in Denver, Colorado, since the 2003 season. They are owned by Stan Kroenke, who is also the owner of the Colorado Avalanch ...
clinched no worse than home-floor advantage for the division semifinals when the
Vancouver Stealth
The Vancouver Warriors are a professional box lacrosse team in the National Lacrosse League. The team moved from Everett, Washington, for the 2014 NLL season.
History
The Warriors are based in Vancouver, British Columbia, and play at Rogers Ar ...
lost, 14–7, on the road to the
Toronto Rock
The Toronto Rock are a professional box lacrosse franchise based in Hamilton, Ontario, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada. They are members of the North Division of the National Lacrosse League (NLL). The team was the first Canadian franchise in the NLL. ...
. It will be the first home playoff game for the Mammoth since 2012.
* April 11, 2015: The
Rochester Knighthawks
The Rochester Knighthawks (also known as the K-Hawks) are a professional box lacrosse team in the North Division of the National Lacrosse League. They play in Rochester, New York at the Blue Cross Arena at the War Memorial.
The Knighthawks are ow ...
clinched a playoff berth with a 14–5 win at home against the
Colorado Mammoth
The Colorado Mammoth are a box lacrosse team playing in the National Lacrosse League. The Mammoth have played at Ball Arena in Denver, Colorado, since the 2003 season. They are owned by Stan Kroenke, who is also the owner of the Colorado Avalanch ...
which gave the Knighthawks a 10–4 record. It is the fourth straight playoff appearance for the Knighthawks.
* April 11, 2015: The
Minnesota Swarm
The Minnesota Swarm was a box lacrosse team in the National Lacrosse League who played at the Xcel Energy Center in Saint Paul, Minnesota from 2004 until 2015. The team's previous owners (Minnesota Sports & Entertainment) who also own the NHL's M ...
was eliminated from playoff contention when its record dropped to 5–10 with a 12–9 home loss to the
Buffalo Bandits
The Buffalo Bandits are a professional box lacrosse team in the East Division of the National Lacrosse League (NLL). They play at the KeyBank Center in Buffalo, New York. The Bandits played in the Major Indoor Lacrosse League from 1992 to 1997, t ...
. It is the second straight season the Swarm has missed the playoffs.
* April 18, 2015: The
Edmonton Rush
The Edmonton Rush were a professional lacrosse team in the National Lacrosse League (NLL) that played from 2006 NLL season to 2015.
The team announced on July 20, 2015, that they would be relocating to Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, for the 2016 sea ...
clinched the top seed in the West Division and a bye to the West Division Finals with a record of 11–5 when it beat the
Colorado Mammoth
The Colorado Mammoth are a box lacrosse team playing in the National Lacrosse League. The Mammoth have played at Ball Arena in Denver, Colorado, since the 2003 season. They are owned by Stan Kroenke, who is also the owner of the Colorado Avalanch ...
at home, 13–12. It is the second consecutive first-place finish for the Rush.
* April 18, 2015: The
Rochester Knighthawks
The Rochester Knighthawks (also known as the K-Hawks) are a professional box lacrosse team in the North Division of the National Lacrosse League. They play in Rochester, New York at the Blue Cross Arena at the War Memorial.
The Knighthawks are ow ...
clinched no worse than home-floor advantage for the division semifinals when they improved their record to 11–5 with a 13–9 win on the road against the
Vancouver Stealth
The Vancouver Warriors are a professional box lacrosse team in the National Lacrosse League. The team moved from Everett, Washington, for the 2014 NLL season.
History
The Warriors are based in Vancouver, British Columbia, and play at Rogers Ar ...
.
* April 25, 2015: The
New England Black Wolves
The New England Black Wolves were a professional box lacrosse team based in Uncasville, Connecticut. They were members of the East Division of the National Lacrosse League and began play in the winter of 2014–2015 at the Mohegan Sun Arena in Un ...
were eliminated from playoff contention with a 14–6 road loss to the
Rochester Knighthawks
The Rochester Knighthawks (also known as the K-Hawks) are a professional box lacrosse team in the North Division of the National Lacrosse League. They play in Rochester, New York at the Blue Cross Arena at the War Memorial.
The Knighthawks are ow ...
that dropped their record to 4–11. The Black Wolves' loss clinched a playoff berth for the
Buffalo Bandits
The Buffalo Bandits are a professional box lacrosse team in the East Division of the National Lacrosse League (NLL). They play at the KeyBank Center in Buffalo, New York. The Bandits played in the Major Indoor Lacrosse League from 1992 to 1997, t ...
with a record of 8–7. Seven minutes later, the Bandits improved to 9–7 when they completed a 17–9 home victory over the
Vancouver Stealth
The Vancouver Warriors are a professional box lacrosse team in the National Lacrosse League. The team moved from Everett, Washington, for the 2014 NLL season.
History
The Warriors are based in Vancouver, British Columbia, and play at Rogers Ar ...
.
* May 1, 2015: The
Toronto Rock
The Toronto Rock are a professional box lacrosse franchise based in Hamilton, Ontario, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada. They are members of the North Division of the National Lacrosse League (NLL). The team was the first Canadian franchise in the NLL. ...
clinched the top seed in the East Division, a bye to the East Division Finals and the best overall record in NLL with a 10–7 road victory over the
New England Black Wolves
The New England Black Wolves were a professional box lacrosse team based in Uncasville, Connecticut. They were members of the East Division of the National Lacrosse League and began play in the winter of 2014–2015 at the Mohegan Sun Arena in Un ...
in their final regular-season game.
* May 2, 2015: The
Calgary Roughnecks
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 t ...
defeated the
Vancouver Stealth
The Vancouver Warriors are a professional box lacrosse team in the National Lacrosse League. The team moved from Everett, Washington, for the 2014 NLL season.
History
The Warriors are based in Vancouver, British Columbia, and play at Rogers Ar ...
on the road, 14–13, in a game that decided the final playoff berth in the West Division on the final day of the regular season.
Jeff Shattler
Jeff Shattler (born December 26, 1984) is an Iroquois professional box lacrosse player who currently plays with the Saskatchewan Rush of the National Lacrosse League (NLL). He has Ojibwe and Inuit roots and has competed internationally with the ...
's goal with 5:11 remaining broke a 13–13 tie and provided the winning margin. After an 0–6 start to their season, the Roughnecks went 7–5 in their final 12 games to secure the playoff berth.
Playoffs
* April 29, 2015: With
Rexall Place
Northlands Coliseum is a now-unused indoor arena located in Edmonton, Alberta, situated on the north side of Northlands (organization), Northlands. It was used for sports events and concerts, and was home to the Edmonton Oilers of the World Hock ...
unavailable for the weekend of May 21–24, the
Edmonton Rush
The Edmonton Rush were a professional lacrosse team in the National Lacrosse League (NLL) that played from 2006 NLL season to 2015.
The team announced on July 20, 2015, that they would be relocating to Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, for the 2016 sea ...
had requested permission to host Game 2 of the Western Conference Finals on Wednesday, May 20, and that request was approved by NLL. However, the Rush announced that, in the interest of the team's fans, it would give up its home-floor advantage and host Game 1 on Friday, May 15, with its opponent hosting Game 2. This means that if the series is tied, 1–1, after two games, the Rush's lower-seeded opponent would host the deciding mini-game.
* May 8, 2015: The
Rochester Knighthawks
The Rochester Knighthawks (also known as the K-Hawks) are a professional box lacrosse team in the North Division of the National Lacrosse League. They play in Rochester, New York at the Blue Cross Arena at the War Memorial.
The Knighthawks are ow ...
defeated the
Buffalo Bandits
The Buffalo Bandits are a professional box lacrosse team in the East Division of the National Lacrosse League (NLL). They play at the KeyBank Center in Buffalo, New York. The Bandits played in the Major Indoor Lacrosse League from 1992 to 1997, t ...
at home, 14–11, in an East Division Semifinal game. After the Bandits took the lead 26 seconds into the game, the Knighthawks answered with five straight goals in a span of less than nine minutes. The Bandits cut the Knighthawks' lead to one goal at 7–6 late in the second quarter. But Rochester responded with a goal 23 seconds later to take a two-goal lead to halftime. After a Buffalo power play goal early in the third quarter cut the Bandits' deficit to one goal at 8–7, the Knighthawks got three straight goals from
Joe Resetarits
Joe Resetarits (born August 22, 1989) is a professional lacrosse player for the Philadelphia Wings. A native of Hamburg, New York, Resetarits was a lacrosse standout at Hamburg High School before attending the University at Albany, where he was ...
in a span of less than six minutes to increase their advantage to 11–7. The Bandits never got closer than two goals the rest of the way. Resetarits finished with four goals and was named the game's first star.
Cody Jamieson
Cody Jamieson (born July 17, 1987) is a Mohawk lacrosse player from the Turtle Clan at Grand River. He plays for the Halifax Thunderbirds of the National Lacrosse League, the New York Lizards of Major League Lacrosse, and the Six Nations Chiefs in ...
had two goals and seven assists and picked up nine loose balls for the Knighthawks to earn second star honors.
Dhane Smith
Dhane Smith (born January 22, 1992) is a professional lacrosse player for the Buffalo Bandits of the National Lacrosse League and Chaos Lacrosse Club in the Premier Lacrosse League. Smith began his career in 2009 with the Kitchener-Waterloo Brav ...
had three goals and four assists and picked up six loose balls in a losing effort and was named the third star.
Matt Vinc
Matt Vinc (born June 9, 1982 in St. Catharines, Ontario) is a Canadian professional lacrosse goaltender who plays for the Buffalo Bandits in the National Lacrosse League and for the Peterborough Lakers of the Major Series Lacrosse.
He was a me ...
had 44 saves in earning the win for the Knighthawks. The Bandits had won four straight and seven of their previous nine games entering the contest.
*May 9, 2015: The
Calgary Roughnecks
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 t ...
defeated the
Colorado Mammoth
The Colorado Mammoth are a box lacrosse team playing in the National Lacrosse League. The Mammoth have played at Ball Arena in Denver, Colorado, since the 2003 season. They are owned by Stan Kroenke, who is also the owner of the Colorado Avalanch ...
on the road, 11–6, in a West Division Semifinal game. With the score tied, 1–1, in the latter part of the first quarter, the Roughnecks scored four straight goals to take a 5–1 lead less than five minutes into the second quarter. Two Mammoth goals cut the Colorado deficit to two. But Calgary responded 28 seconds later with the first of two goals in a 37-second span to take a 7–3 halftime lead. The teams exchanged two goals each in the third quarter, and after the Mammoth scored early in the fourth quarter, the Roughnecks held a 9–6 lead. Calgary held Colorado off the scoreboard the rest of the way while the Roughnecks scored two goals of their own to complete the victory. The game was delayed 26 minutes with 7:06 remaining in the fourth quarter by a power surge caused by inclement weather in the
Denver
Denver () is a consolidated city and county, the capital, and most populous city of the U.S. state of Colorado. Its population was 715,522 at the 2020 census, a 19.22% increase since 2010. It is the 19th-most populous city in the Unit ...
area that resulted in the arena lights going out. Roughnecks goaltender
Frankie Scigliano had 45 saves to earn the win and first-star honors. Mammoth goaltender
Alex Buque entered the game with 2:15 remaining in the second quarter and the Roughnecks leading, 7–3. He saved 19 of the 23 shots he faced and was named the second star.
Shawn Evans had three goals and two assists and picked up eight loose balls to take third-star honors for the Roughnecks.
*May 15, 2015: The
Edmonton Rush
The Edmonton Rush were a professional lacrosse team in the National Lacrosse League (NLL) that played from 2006 NLL season to 2015.
The team announced on July 20, 2015, that they would be relocating to Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, for the 2016 sea ...
defeated the
Calgary Roughnecks
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 t ...
at home, 10–8, in Game 1 of the West Division Finals.
The Rush shut out the Roughnecks in the first quarter and led 4–0 early in the second quarter. Calgary responded by scoring six of the next nine goals and trailed by only 7–6 after three quarters. After a power play goal put the Rush ahead, 8–6, the Roughnecks scored two goals in just over three minutes to tie the score at 8 with 3:12 to play. Just over a minute later,
Ben McIntosh
Ben McIntosh (born May 28, 1991, in Coquitlam, British Columbia, Canada) is a lacrosse player for the Philadelphia Wings in the National Lacrosse League and Waterdogs Lacrosse Club in the Premier Lacrosse League.
Professional career
NLL career
...
put the Rush ahead, 9–8, with 2:10 remaining. Edmonton added an insurance goal 37 seconds later to complete the scoring.
Mark Matthews
Mark Matthews (August 7, 1894 – September 6, 2005) was an American veteran of the Second World War and a Buffalo Soldier. Born in Alabama and growing up in Ohio, Matthews joined the 10th Cavalry Regiment when he was only 15 years old, after ...
had three goals and four assists and picked up five loose balls to take first-star honors for the Rush. Winning goaltender
Aaron Bold
Aaron Bold (born April 22, 1985) is a Canadian professional lacrosse player who plays goalie for the Vancouver Warriors of the National Lacrosse League. Bold was drafted in the third round (29th overall) in the 2005 National Lacrosse League entr ...
had 29 saves and was named the second star.
Zack Greer
Zack Greer (born February 12, 1986 in Whitby, Ontario) is a Canadian professional lacrosse player who plays for the Las Vegas Desert Dogs of the National Lacrosse League. Greer attended high school at All Saints Catholic Secondary School in Whitby ...
had three goals and one assist for Edmonton and was the game's third star.
*May 16, 2015: The
Rochester Knighthawks
The Rochester Knighthawks (also known as the K-Hawks) are a professional box lacrosse team in the North Division of the National Lacrosse League. They play in Rochester, New York at the Blue Cross Arena at the War Memorial.
The Knighthawks are ow ...
defeated the
Toronto Rock
The Toronto Rock are a professional box lacrosse franchise based in Hamilton, Ontario, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada. They are members of the North Division of the National Lacrosse League (NLL). The team was the first Canadian franchise in the NLL. ...
at home, 10–9, in Game 1 of the East Division Finals.
After the Rock opened the scoring, the Knighthawks responded with a run that put them in front, 5–1, early in the second quarter. Toronto regrouped and scored three goals in the final 4:12 of the first half to cut the deficit to 5–4. The final Toronto goal was scored as time expired in the half and was initially ruled good by the referee. Rochester challenged saying that the goal came too late. A review of the replay proved inconclusive, and the call on the field stood. The Rock tied the score early in the third quarter. Then the Knighthawks twice took one-goal leads only to see Toronto respond and tie the score. Rochester went ahead by two goals, 9–7, when
Craig Point
Craig Point (born January 19, 1986), is an Iroquois lacrosse player who currently plays for the Rochester Knighthawks of the National Lacrosse League and the Six Nations Chiefs of Major Series Lacrosse. He was born in Ohsweken, Ontario, and comes ...
completed his hat trick with 7:24 remaining. But
Brett Hickey replied for the Rock with two goals to give him a hat trick of his own and tie the score at 9 with 3:59 to play.
Dan Dawson
Dan Dawson (born December 11, 1981) is a Canadian professional lacrosse player for the Toronto Rock of the National Lacrosse League, Brampton Excelsiors (MSL) of Major Series Lacrosse, and is currently a free agent in Major League Lacrosse. Daws ...
scored the winner for the Knighthawks with 36.1 seconds remaining.
Brad Self
Brad Self (born February 27, 1981, in Peterborough, Ontario) is a retired dual-sport athlete who was most recently a lacrosse player for the Colorado Mammoth of the National Lacrosse League and the Peterborough Lakers of Major Series Lacrosse lea ...
had three goals and three assists and picked up 16 loose balls for the Knighthawks to earn first-star honors. Winning goaltender
Matt Vinc
Matt Vinc (born June 9, 1982 in St. Catharines, Ontario) is a Canadian professional lacrosse goaltender who plays for the Buffalo Bandits in the National Lacrosse League and for the Peterborough Lakers of the Major Series Lacrosse.
He was a me ...
had 35 saves and was named the game's second star.
Brandon Miller had 47 saves in a losing effort and was the third star.
*May 23, 2015: The
Toronto Rock
The Toronto Rock are a professional box lacrosse franchise based in Hamilton, Ontario, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada. They are members of the North Division of the National Lacrosse League (NLL). The team was the first Canadian franchise in the NLL. ...
defeated the
Rochester Knighthawks
The Rochester Knighthawks (also known as the K-Hawks) are a professional box lacrosse team in the North Division of the National Lacrosse League. They play in Rochester, New York at the Blue Cross Arena at the War Memorial.
The Knighthawks are ow ...
, 11–8, and then went on to win the tiebreaker mini-game, 8–2, to win the East Division Championship in
Toronto
Toronto ( ; or ) is the capital city of the Canadian province of Ontario. With a recorded population of 2,794,356 in 2021, it is the most populous city in Canada and the fourth most populous city in North America. The city is the ancho ...
.
In Game 2, the Rock took a 3–0 lead less than four minutes into the game. When
Brett Hickey completed his hat trick late in the second quarter, the Rock had an 8–2 advantage. The Knighthawks played with an empty net in the closing moments of the first half and scored a goal to cut the deficit to 8–3. After Toronto opened the second half scoring, Rochester scored four straight goals and trailed by only 9–7 early in the fourth quarter. Less than two minutes after the Knighthawks had cut the Rock's lead to two goals, they surrendered a shorthanded goal scored by
Josh Sanderson
Josh "Shooter" Sanderson (born April 23, 1977 in Orangeville, Ontario) is a Canadian former professional lacrosse player. Sanderson played 19 seasons in the National Lacrosse League including nine with the Toronto Rock.
In 2002, as a member of th ...
. Another goal by
Stephan Leblanc completed his hat trick and gave the Rock an 11–7 lead.
Stephen Keogh's sixth goal of the game on a late power play completed the scoring. In the ensuing tiebreaker mini-game, a roughing penalty assessed to Keogh with 45 seconds remaining in Game 2 carried over, and the Rock converted the power play 29 seconds into the game. In all, the Rock scored five goals on six shots in the first 4:13 against
Matt Vinc
Matt Vinc (born June 9, 1982 in St. Catharines, Ontario) is a Canadian professional lacrosse goaltender who plays for the Buffalo Bandits in the National Lacrosse League and for the Peterborough Lakers of the Major Series Lacrosse.
He was a me ...
who was pulled in favor of
Angus Goodleaf
Angus Goodleaf (born March 6, 1987), is a Canadian professional indoor lacrosse, lacrosse Goaltender (box lacrosse), goaltender in the National Lacrosse League, currently playing for the Philadelphia Wings (2018–), Philadelphia Wings and for the ...
. Goodleaf surrendered two more goals before the Knighthawks got on the board with two of their own.
Patrick Merrill
Patrick Merrill (born February 22, 1979) is a former Canadian professional lacrosse player for the Toronto Rock in the National Lacrosse League and of the Toronto Nationals in Major League Lacrosse. He is currently the Head Coach and General Mana ...
scored for the Rock on a penalty shot in the final minute to complete the victory.
Brandon Miller had 48 saves over the two games for the Rock and was named the first star. Sanderson had three goals, two in the mini-game, and five assists on the night to take second-star honors. The third star was
Rob Hellyer
Rob Hellyer (born June 28, 1992) is a Canadian professional lacrosse player. He is a forward and alternate captain for the Toronto Rock of the National Lacrosse League.
Early life
Hellyer was born on June 28, 1992, in Lion's Head, Ontario, Canada ...
who had two goals and two assists in the mini-game and added another six assists in Game 2 for Toronto.
*May 23, 2015: The
Edmonton Rush
The Edmonton Rush were a professional lacrosse team in the National Lacrosse League (NLL) that played from 2006 NLL season to 2015.
The team announced on July 20, 2015, that they would be relocating to Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, for the 2016 sea ...
won the West Division Championship with a 4–1 road victory over the
Calgary Roughnecks
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 t ...
in the tiebreaker mini-game after dropping Game 2, 12–9.
In Game 2, after the Roughnecks took a 3–0 lead in the first 7:26, the Rush responded with seven straight goals in the final 8:05 of the first quarter. Calgary dominated the second quarter, scoring six goals while holding Edmonton off the scoreboard, to take a 9–7 halftime lead. After the Rush scored the only goal of the third quarter, the Roughnecks restored their two-goal advantage when
Shawn Evans completed his hat trick with less than seven minutes remaining. Just 1:21 later,
Robert Church completed a hat trick of his own to cut Calgary's lead to 10–9.
Curtis Dickson
Curtis Dickson (born July 18, 1988) is a Canadian professional lacrosse player who currently plays for the San Diego Seals of the National Lacrosse League. Prior to signing with the Seals in August 2022, he played 11 seasons with the Calgary Rough ...
followed with his third and fourth goals of the game to complete the Roughnecks' victory. Goaltender
Mike Poulin
Mike Poulin (born December 17, 1985 in Kitchener, Ontario) is a professional lacrosse goaltender wearing #30 for the Georgia Swarm in the National Lacrosse League. He formerly played for thCalgary Roughnecks the Toronto Rock and the Boston Bla ...
who entered the game in relief for the Roughnecks and had 31 saves while allowing only two goals was named the first star.
Andrew McBride's defensive play and four loose balls earned him second-star honors. Dickson added two assists to his four goals and was the third star. In the ensuing mini-game, the Roughnecks opened the scoring inside the first two minutes. The Rush responded with two goals 46 seconds apart and took the lead before the five-minute mark. Edmonton added an insurance goal with less than three minutes remaining and an empty-net goal in the final minute to complete the victory.
Mark Matthews
Mark Matthews (August 7, 1894 – September 6, 2005) was an American veteran of the Second World War and a Buffalo Soldier. Born in Alabama and growing up in Ohio, Matthews joined the 10th Cavalry Regiment when he was only 15 years old, after ...
had two goals and one assist in the mini-game to earn first-star honors. Rush goaltender
Aaron Bold
Aaron Bold (born April 22, 1985) is a Canadian professional lacrosse player who plays goalie for the Vancouver Warriors of the National Lacrosse League. Bold was drafted in the third round (29th overall) in the 2005 National Lacrosse League entr ...
had six saves and was the second star of the mini-game.
Dane Dobbie
Dane Dobbie (born December 1, 1986 in Elora, Ontario) is a professional lacrosse player for the San Diego Seals in the National Lacrosse League.
Dobbie comes from a lacrosse family. His grandfather, Bob Dobbie, is a member of Canadian Lacros ...
scored the Roughnecks' lone goal of the mini-game and was the third star.
*May 30, 2015: The
Edmonton Rush
The Edmonton Rush were a professional lacrosse team in the National Lacrosse League (NLL) that played from 2006 NLL season to 2015.
The team announced on July 20, 2015, that they would be relocating to Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, for the 2016 sea ...
won Game 1 of the Champion's Cup Finals on the road, 15–9, over the
Toronto Rock
The Toronto Rock are a professional box lacrosse franchise based in Hamilton, Ontario, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada. They are members of the North Division of the National Lacrosse League (NLL). The team was the first Canadian franchise in the NLL. ...
.
After the Rock scored two early goals to open the game, the Rush responded with five straight goals to close the first quarter and another to start the second quarter to take a 6–2 lead. Toronto answered with two goals in less than three minutes. But Edmonton again closed the quarter strong with three unanswered goals to take a 9–4 halftime lead. In a tight third quarter, the Rock managed to score four goals but surrendered three and still trailed, 12–8, heading to the final period. The Rush scored three goals in the first six minutes of the fourth quarter capped by
Robert Church's goal which completed his hat trick. The Rock answered with a goal just over two minutes later but was unable to score again over the final seven minutes of the game.
Mark Matthews
Mark Matthews (August 7, 1894 – September 6, 2005) was an American veteran of the Second World War and a Buffalo Soldier. Born in Alabama and growing up in Ohio, Matthews joined the 10th Cavalry Regiment when he was only 15 years old, after ...
had a hat trick and three assists for the Rush and was named the game's first star. Winning goaltender
Aaron Bold
Aaron Bold (born April 22, 1985) is a Canadian professional lacrosse player who plays goalie for the Vancouver Warriors of the National Lacrosse League. Bold was drafted in the third round (29th overall) in the 2005 National Lacrosse League entr ...
had 39 saves and an assist to take second-star honors. The third star was Church who contributed three assists along with his hat trick.
*June 5, 2015: The
Edmonton Rush
The Edmonton Rush were a professional lacrosse team in the National Lacrosse League (NLL) that played from 2006 NLL season to 2015.
The team announced on July 20, 2015, that they would be relocating to Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, for the 2016 sea ...
completed its sweep of the
Toronto Rock
The Toronto Rock are a professional box lacrosse franchise based in Hamilton, Ontario, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada. They are members of the North Division of the National Lacrosse League (NLL). The team was the first Canadian franchise in the NLL. ...
in the Champion's Cup Finals with an 11–10 home victory in Game 2 that gave the team its first-ever NLL title.
During the first 29:59 of the game, the Rock took a one-goal lead four times, but the Rush answered with a goal to tie the game each time.
Mark Matthews
Mark Matthews (August 7, 1894 – September 6, 2005) was an American veteran of the Second World War and a Buffalo Soldier. Born in Alabama and growing up in Ohio, Matthews joined the 10th Cavalry Regiment when he was only 15 years old, after ...
gave the Rush its first lead with a power play goal and Edmonton employing an extra attacker just before halftime. Less than two minutes into the third quarter, Matthews scored again to give the Rush a 6–4 lead. After the teams exchanged goals, the Rock scored three straight goals in a span of 3:23 to take an 8–7 lead. Less than two minutes later,
Robert Church scored his second goal of the game to tie the score at 8 at the end of three quarters.
Rob Hellyer
Rob Hellyer (born June 28, 1992) is a Canadian professional lacrosse player. He is a forward and alternate captain for the Toronto Rock of the National Lacrosse League.
Early life
Hellyer was born on June 28, 1992, in Lion's Head, Ontario, Canada ...
scored his second goal of the game to give the Rock its sixth one-goal lead of the game, 9–8. But Matthews scored the next two goals, the first on a power play and the second, his fifth of the game, shorthanded, to give the Rush a 10–9 lead.
Colin Doyle's second goal of the game with 2:18 remaining tied the score at 10. With just 1:02 left on the clock,
Matthew Dinsdale scored the Champion's Cup-winning goal. The five goals and three assists registered by Matthews earned him first-star honors. Hellyer added four assists to his two goals and was named second star.
Kyle Rubisch
Kyle Rubisch (born August 29, 1988) is a professional lacrosse player for the Saskatchewan Rush in the National Lacrosse League.
College and Club career
Rubisch is a graduate from Dowling College. During his tenure there, he was named to the 2010 ...
played stellar defense for the Rush and added and assist to take the third star. Matthews had a total of eight goals and six assists in the finals and was named Champion's Cup Finals Most Valuable Player. He also led all players in postseason points with 27 and goals with 13.
League business
*May 29, 2015: The
Minnesota Swarm
The Minnesota Swarm was a box lacrosse team in the National Lacrosse League who played at the Xcel Energy Center in Saint Paul, Minnesota from 2004 until 2015. The team's previous owners (Minnesota Sports & Entertainment) who also own the NHL's M ...
announced that the franchise has been relocated, with NLL approval, to the
Atlanta metropolitan area
Metro Atlanta, designated by the United States Office of Management and Budget as the Atlanta–Sandy Springs–Alpharetta, GA Metropolitan Statistical Area, is the most populous metropolitan statistical area in the U.S. state of Georgia and the ...
where it will be known as the
Georgia Swarm
The Georgia Swarm are a box lacrosse team in the East Division of the National Lacrosse League. They have been playing at the 13,000-seat Gas South Arena in Duluth, Georgia since their 2016 season.
Originally formed as the 2002 expansion Montre ...
. The team has agreed in principle to sign a lease to play its home games at the
Arena at Gwinnett Center
The Gas South Arena (originally known as the Gwinnett Civic Center Arena, later known as The Arena at Gwinnett Center and Infinite Energy Arena) is an indoor arena in Duluth, Georgia. It is located approximately northeast of Atlanta. The arena ...
in
Duluth, Georgia
Duluth is a city in Gwinnett County, Georgia, Gwinnett County, Georgia (U.S. state), Georgia, United States. Located north of Interstate 85, it is approximately northeast of Atlanta.
As of the 2020 United States Census, 2020 census, Duluth had a ...
.
Final standings
Overall seeds
Playoffs
Division Finals and Champion's Cup Finals individual game results
East Division Finals
Saturday, May 16 - Game 1 at
Blue Cross Arena
Blue Cross Arena, also known as the War Memorial, is a multi-purpose indoor arena located in Rochester, New York. For hockey and lacrosse, its seating capacity is 10,662. The arena opened on October 18, 1955, as the Rochester Community War Memor ...
,
Rochester, New York
Rochester () is a City (New York), city in the U.S. state of New York (state), New York, the county seat, seat of Monroe County, New York, Monroe County, and the fourth-most populous in the state after New York City, Buffalo, New York, Buffalo, ...
: Rochester Knighthawks 10, Toronto Rock 9
Saturday, May 23 - Game 2 at
Air Canada Centre
Scotiabank Arena ( French: ''Aréna Scotiabank)'', formerly known as Air Canada Centre (ACC), is a multi-purposed arena located on Bay Street in the South Core district of Downtown Toronto, Ontario, Canada. It is the home of the Toronto Rap ...
,
Toronto
Toronto ( ; or ) is the capital city of the Canadian province of Ontario. With a recorded population of 2,794,356 in 2021, it is the most populous city in Canada and the fourth most populous city in North America. The city is the ancho ...
,
Ontario
Ontario ( ; ) is one of the thirteen provinces and territories of Canada.Ontario is located in the geographic eastern half of Canada, but it has historically and politically been considered to be part of Central Canada. Located in Central Ca ...
: Toronto Rock 11, Rochester Knighthawks 8
Saturday, May 23 - Game 3 at Air Canada Centre, Toronto, Ontario: Toronto Rock 8, Rochester Knighthawks 2
Toronto wins series, 2–1.
West Division Finals
Friday, May 15 - Game 1 at
Rexall Place
Northlands Coliseum is a now-unused indoor arena located in Edmonton, Alberta, situated on the north side of Northlands (organization), Northlands. It was used for sports events and concerts, and was home to the Edmonton Oilers of the World Hock ...
,
Edmonton
Edmonton ( ) is the capital city of the Canadian province of Alberta. Edmonton is situated on the North Saskatchewan River and is the centre of the Edmonton Metropolitan Region, which is surrounded by Alberta's central region. The city ancho ...
,
Alberta
Alberta ( ) is one of the thirteen provinces and territories of Canada. It is part of Western Canada and is one of the three prairie provinces. Alberta is bordered by British Columbia to the west, Saskatchewan to the east, the Northwest Ter ...
: Edmonton Rush 10, Calgary Roughnecks 8
Saturday, May 23 - Game 2 at
Scotiabank Saddledome
Scotiabank Saddledome is a multi-use indoor arena in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. Located in Stampede Park in the southeast end of downtown Calgary, the Saddledome was built in 1983 to replace the Stampede Corral as the home of the Calgary Flames ...
,
Calgary
Calgary ( ) is the largest city in the western Canadian province of Alberta and the largest metro area of the three Prairie Provinces. As of 2021, the city proper had a population of 1,306,784 and a metropolitan population of 1,481,806, makin ...
, Alberta: Calgary Roughnecks 12, Edmonton Rush 9
Saturday, May 23 - Game 3 at Scotiabank Saddledome, Calgary, Alberta: Edmonton Rush 4, Calgary Roughnecks 1
Edmonton wins series, 2–1.
Champion's Cup Finals
Saturday, May 30 - Game 1 at Air Canada Centre, Toronto, Ontario: Edmonton Rush 15, Toronto Rock 9
Friday, June 5 - Game 2 at Rexall Place, Edmonton, Alberta: Edmonton Rush 11, Toronto Rock 10
Edmonton wins series, 2–0.
Notes:
Regular-season results table
Reference:
Player statistics
Scoring leaders
The following players lead the league in regular season points at the conclusion of games played on May 3, 2015.
Leading goaltenders
The following goaltenders lead the league in regular season
goals against average
Goals against average (GAA) also known as "average goals against" or "AGA" is a statistic used in field hockey, ice hockey, lacrosse, soccer, and water polo that is the mean of goals allowed per game by a goaltender or goalkeeper (depending on s ...
at the conclusion of games played on May 3, 2015.
Awards
Annual awards
Monthly awards
Awards are presented monthly for the best overall player and best rookie.
Stadiums and locations
See also
*
2015 in sports
2015 in sports describes the year's events in world sport. This year, some sporting events listed below are qualifying ones, for athletes, to compete at the 2016 Summer Olympics and Paralympics in Rio de Janeiro. From July 2015 to May 2016, the ...
References
{{DEFAULTSORT:2015 Nll Season
15
National 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, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
The NLL currently has fifteen teams: ten in the United Stat ...