Syracuse Silver Knights News Release -- www.syracusesilverknights.com
Tuesday, October 23, 2012
SYRACUSE, N.Y. -- The Syracuse Silver Knights will prepare for their sophomore season with a preseason scrimmage on Thursday night against the Baltimore Blast. The exhibition match begins at 7 p.m. at the Oncenter War Memorial Arena, and admission is free.
The Silver Knights will bring back many of their offensive weapons from their inaugural season. Slavisa Ubiparipovic, the MISL Rookie of the Year who led the team with 22 goals, returns to lead the offense. Syracuse also signed Baldwinsville native and former Rutgers University star Nate Bourdeau, along with another offensive standout in Matt Clare, formerly of the Norfolk SharX. Clare had a monster rookie campaign for Norfolk in 2011-12 with 20 goals, good for 12th-best in the league.
“This exhibition game against Baltimore gives both our returning players a great opportunity to be able to against one of the top teams in our league,” said second-year Knights head coach Tommy Tanner. “It will definitely help the coaching staff and our players get ready for our home opener November 2.”
Baltimore won three of the teams’ five meetings last season, including a 15-13 overtime victory in the Knights’ season finale. Syracuse defeated the Blast, 18-7 on Nov. 12, to cap a three-game winning streak to begin the season. The Blast fell in the MISL Finals last season for the second consecutive season. Baltimore has advanced to seven of the least 10 league finals, winning five league championships.
The exhibition game will have four 20-minute quarters with a continuous game clock and a five-minute halftime. Silver Knights players will be available for autographs after the game.
There are several local stars along with players from all over the world competing for the final roster sports on this year’s version of the Syracuse Silver Knights. Thursday’s game will be their last chance to make a case for a roster spot, as the regular season begins next weekend. The Knights will host back-to-back home games against Chicago and Rochester on Nov. 2 and Nov.3 to begin their second season in the MISL.