Knighthawks loading up on sevens

ROCHESTER, NY – Sevens have certainly been wild for the Rochester Knighthawks. Today, forward Craig Point became the third member of the back-to-back National Lacrosse League Champions to re-sign for seven years, joining Dan Dawson and Sid Smith.

“I like it in Rochester. Curt has treated me well and the team has treated me well,” said Point about Owner and General Manager Curt Styres and his teammates. “We’ve had success the past couple of years and I want to keep it going.”

“Training Camp is coming soon and I can’t wait to get back around the guys again,” he added. “I’m in a lot better shape and I am dying to get back on the floor. I can’t wait to get the season underway.”

In 2013, Point capped off his fifth season with the Knighthawks with his second straight title. He averaged two points per game in 10 regular season contests, and was one of the keys to Rochester winning four of its last six games to return to the postseason. Point heated up by scoring five goals and adding three assists in the final three games of the season. He was clutch down the stretch as he propelled Rochester into the playoffs with a season-high four goals in a five-point effort to give the Knighthawks a 10-9 victory over rival Buffalo.

“When a guy works as hard as he did to get back into the lineup, it’s contagious,” said Knighthawks forward Cody Jamieson. “Players saw the effort he put in, and it showed on the floor when he played. He got back to being the ‘Pointer’ who was voted Team MVP by his peers a few years earlier.”

Point became a force again, and an inspiration, on the Knighthawks’ offense after taking some major steps to elevate his on-the-floor performance. Not only did he hire a personal trainer, but he spent hours breaking down game film, and taking hundreds of extra shots on net to perfect his accuracy.

“Throughout the year, I practiced hard, trained hard off the floor and did whatever I could. I got down to the basic, simple stuff and worked hard in the gym and it paid off,” he said. “It showed at the end of the season. I became quicker and more agile.”

In the playoffs that hard work was evident, as he scored once in the East Division Finals and four times against Minnesota in the East Division Finals. Point sparked a late fourth-quarter rally and scored the game-winner in a 12-10 win over the Minnesota Swarm. In the NLL Championship Game, Point scored one goal and added two assists in the thrilling 11-10 win over Washington to give Rochester back-to-back titles for the first time in team history.

Point enters his seventh NLL season in 2014. In his career, the hard-shooting forward has 116 goals and 128 assists in 78 games. Prior to coming to Rochester, Point collected 27 goals, 34 assists and 61 points en route to NLL Rookie of the Year and All-Rookie Team honors in 2008. He was acquired early in the 2009 season by the Knighthawks. In 58 games, he has amassed 87 goals and 78 assists for 165 points.

The 2012 and 2013 championships were his first pro titles since winning the 2009 Major League Lacrosse crown with the Toronto Nationals. Point’s resume also includes the 2007 Minto Cup Championship and the 2006 National Junior College Athletic Association title. This summer, he added his first Mann Cup, a Nations Cup and his second Bowhunter Cup.

“It was fun all summer doing what we did. I stayed disciplined and went to the gym when I could. A lot of people take the summer off and take a vacation, but I stayed at it and played as much lacrosse as I could,” said Point. “Once again it paid off. I got

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