Blue Cross Arena

The Blue Cross Arena in downtown Rochester host various Rochester sports, such as the Rochester Knighhawks lacrosse team, Rochester Amerks hockey and the Razorsharks basketball team. Parking is plentiful around the arena, but carpool to these sporting events or be prepared to pay about $5.

Rochester Knighthawks

Sport: Indoor Lacrosse
Stadium: Blue Cross Arena
League: National Lacrosse League (East Division)
Regular season: Typically December to May
Tickets: $15 to $27 for single game sales
Mascot: The Moose (same as the Amerks); the Knightingales are their official dance team.
Web site: knighthawks.net

What exactly is a knighthawk, you may ask. Well, in Rochester, they’re the reigning champions of the National Lacrosse League (NLL). During their 13 seasons of existence, the Knighthawks have never missed the NLL playoffs and have even clinched the championship title twice.

So while we still don’t really know what exactly a knighthawk is, does it really matter with a team resume like that?

Rochester Amerks (Americans)

Sport: Hockey
Stadium: Blue Cross Arena
League: American Hockey League (Western Conference/North Division)
Regular season: Typically September to April
Tickets: $11 to $20 for single game sales
Mascot: The Moose (who doubles as the Knighthawks mascot)
Web site: amerks.com

Ryan Miller, Thomas Vanek and Jason Pominville have captured Western New Yorkers attention as members of the National Hockey League’s Buffalo Sabres, but Rochesterians fell in love with them first as members of the Amerks. Also known as the Americans (which is, in fact, their official name, the Amerks are the American Hockey League affiliate of the Buffalo Sabres, meaning many of the players who have led the Sabres to consecutive Eastern Conference Championships once skated right here in Rochester.

Founded in 1956, the Amerks have won six Calder Cup Championships. Before missing the playoffs in 2005-06, Rochester had made 16 playoff appearances in a row. The Amerks have rebounded from the off year and started a new playoff streak last season.

Rochester RazorSharks

Sport: Basketball
Stadium: Blue Cross Arena
League: Premier Basketball League
Regular season: Typically December to April
Mascot: FINley
Web site: rochesterrazorsharks.com

While they’ve only been around for two seasons, the RazorSharks already have quite a story to tell. After securing the American Basketball Association Championship during the ‘05-‘06 season, the RazorSharks left the ABA in the midst of the following season (the owners blamed instability and a lack of quality play in the league).

But don’t fear, the RazorSharks already have a new plan. They have joined the newly formed Premier Basketball League. Under the direction of Steve Rossi, the former RazorSharks president, the PBL will kick off its first season of competition this year.