Rochester Knighthawks Will Have to Battle to Four-Peat as Champion's Cup Winners

The Rochester Knighthawks won an unprecedented third straight NLL championship in 2014, combining a balanced offense with excellent defense and a shutdown goaltender to earn the Champion's Cup.

In 2015, league MVP Cody Jamieson (36 goals, 108 points) and former MVP Dan Dawson (91 PTS) once again lead a team that can score in bunches while smothering offenses at the other end of the floor. 

Matt Vinc (9.56 goals-against average) won his second straight Goaltender of the Year award—and his fourth in five years—following last year's performance, making shooters battle for every goal. A steady defense in front of Vinc, including three players with 100 or more loose balls and two players with 20 or more caused turnovers, made it that much harder to earn shots on net.

But they will face some stiff competition if they hope to win a fourth title in a row.

In the East Division, the Buffalo Bandits are looking strong for a second year in a row.

Seasoned goalie Anthony Cosmo (10.77 GAA) was my pick for Goaltender of the Year over Vinc after leading the league in saves (752).

With veteran defenseman Derek Suddons (51 LB) and Steve Priolo (99 LB, 65 penalty minutes) punishing attackers who get too close to the net, the Bandits are in good shape on their own end of the floor.

David Brock (53 LB) and Jay Thorimbert (191 LB) are effective transitioning the ball out of their own end and finding offensive weapons Ryan Benesch (78 PTS) and Dhane Smith (59 PTS) for scoring opportunities.

But let's not forget 46-year-old John Tavares (51 PTS). He may not have the skill set he once did, but people forget the all-time leader in goals and assists at their own peril. He will make you pay, as the New England Black Wolves discovered in preseason play when he hung a five-goal, four-assist night on them.

Rochester's opponents in last year's Champion's Cup are also arguably better this year than they were last year. With the addition of veteran defenseman Jeff Moleski, the Calgary Roughnecks have shored themselves up coming out of the back door.

The former Roughneck, who spent the last four seasons with the Stealth (three in Washington and one in Vancouver, where the team relocated), brings good size and defensive tenacity to a defense that already boasts some strong athletes, including former All-Pros Scott and Mike Carnegie.

But it is Calgary's offense that really sets the team apart. Dane Dobbie led the league in goals scored last year (51), Jeff Shattler had his best-ever offensive season (84 PTS), Curtis Dickson finished with the third-most goals in the league (44), and Shawn Evans has had back-to-back 100-point seasons.

Overall, the Roughnecks boast an attack group with as many or more options than any other team in the NLL.

In spite of how much talent the Roughnecks have, the team to beat in the West Division is the Edmonton Rush. The Rush went 16-2 last season, including starting the season with 14 straight wins, an NLL record. Although they were stopped in the conference finals by Calgary, they are scary good.

Edmonton's defense gave up the league's fewest goals (157), while its offense was second to Calgary in goals (220).

With Goaltender of the Year candidate Aaron Bold between the pipes (8.73 goals against average) and three-time Defensive Player of the Year winner Kyle Rubisch (156 LB and a league-record 61 CTO), the Rush boast what is arguably the finest back end ever assembled in NLL history. 

Add an offense led by third-year star Mark Matthews (31 G, 78 PTS), fellow sniper Zack Greer (30 G, 52 PTS) and the return of Corey Small after a year off due to a knee injury (64 PTS in 2013), and you have a team that is built to win.

Rochester's first test of the season takes place on Saturday, Jan. 3, when it hosts the Toronto Rock, beginning its quest to become the first team in NLL history to win four consecutive championships. Meanwhile, the Bandits play twice in the first weekend—once on Friday, Jan. 2, against the Black Wolves and again the next night against the Rush—while the Roughnecks are at home against the Stealth.

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