By: Chris Crane, Beat Writer Rochester Knighthawks
Lacrosse is Awesome
Last night the Rochester Knighthawks (6-9) hosted the Georgia Swarm (7-9) at the Blue Cross Arena in front of a crowd of 8,570. With playoff implications on the line it was a must win scenario for both teams, but it would be the Swarm taking the victory 17-11.
The first period would be a battle with neither side giving in to the other. But like most of the season for the Knighthawks it would be the visiting Swarm getting on the board first at 3:54 from Lyle Thompson (Jackson, Powless). However, the Rochester Knighthawks would then answer back by going on a three goal run. Getting the run started for Knighthawks would be Josh Gillam at 7:36; which would then be followed up by Cody Jamieson grabbing two goals at 8:01 and 9:25 giving the Knighthawks a 3-1 lead. The Swarm would put one more on the board from Randy Staats at 13:38 making it a 3-2 game heading into the second period.
The second period would start like the first period ended with the Swarm striking first at 1:59 from Jesse King (MacIntosh). Georgia’s Alex Crepinsek would then add another for the Swarm at 4:34 making it a 4-3 game. Rochester would end up getting one back at the 7:16 mark from “High Flying” Dan Dawson making it a 4-4 game. But then it would be all Swarm the rest of second period going on a six goal run. Georgia would get scores from King; Staats; Miles Thompson; Kiel Matisz; and Johnny Powless grabbing two goals making it a 10-4 game heading into halftime.
Starting the third period the tides would turn in favor of the Rochester Knighthawks as they would begin a run of their own. Getting it started for the Knighthawks would be Scott Campbell at 2:23 making it 10-5. Rochester’s next three goals would come from Jamieson who would grab two goals giving him the hat-trick and four goals on the night, with Joe Walters getting the last goal of Rochester’s run at the 8:04 mark. Rochester would now cut the Swarm’s lead down to two 10-8. Georgia would finally get on the board in the third period at the 9:04 mark getting a score from Jackson. Rochester’s Cory Vitarelli would help keep the game close by adding a goal of his own at 12:09 making it 11-9. The Swarm’s Lyle Thompson would get his second goal of the night at 14:58 giving the Swarm a 12-9 lead heading into the fourth.
Georgia would keep the pressure on at the start of the fourth as the King would start the scoring at 3:20 putting the Swarm up 13-9. Rochester’s Dan Dawson would then get the Knighthawks on the board at 5:13 making it a 13-10 game. Lyle Thompson would end up with the hat-trick on the night at 5:55 with the score 14-10. The Knighthawks would answer back once more trying to get things rolling with a goal from Point at 7:21 making it 14-11, but then it would be all Georgia the rest of the period. Georgia would notch three more goals from (L) Thompson his fourth of the night; MacIntosh; and White on an empty net goal giving the Swarm a decisive 17-11 victory.
With the Knighthawks losing last night they dropped to fourth place in the East and moving Georgia up to third for the final playoff spot. Rochester still has a chance to make a run at that final spot for the playoffs as they are only a half game out of third place. However, with the slim possibility of taking that third playoff spot they are going to need some help throughout the division and must win the remaining games of the season.
Rochester will head to Buffalo to face the Bandits (11-5) at Blue Cross Arena; and Georgia will take on the New England Black Wolves (9-6) at the Mohegan Sun Arena.
Chris Crane, Beat Writer Rochester Knighthawks
Lacrosse is Awesome