By: Chris Crane, Beat Writer Rochester Knighthawks
Lacrosse is Awesome
On April 10, the Rochester Knighthawks (6-8) took on their rivals the Buffalo Bandits (10-4) at the First Niagara Center in front of a crowd of 17,397. Final Score: Buffalo 14—Rochester 12.
The first period would be dominated by the Bandits as they would quickly score the first two goals of the period in less than one minute of play. Scoring first for the Bandits would be Anthony Malcom (Bennett, Thorimbert) at just 13 seconds into the period. The second goal would come from Dhane Smith at 59 seconds into the period. Rochester would finally get on the board at the 5:32 mark from Scott Campbell making it a 2-1 game. However, Smith would add two more for the Bandits giving him a hat-trick in the first period and making it a 4-1 game at the end of the first.
Buffalo would carry there momentum into the start of the second period scoring again in just under a minute of play. At only 55 seconds into the period Buffalo’s Ryan Benesch would make it a 5-1 game. Rochester would then turn the momentum in there favor as they would go on a four goal run. High Flying Dan Dawson would get the run started for Rochester by putting one on the board for Knighthawks at the 1:32 mark. Cody Jamieson would then follow up with his goal a minute later making it a 5-3 game at the 2:32 mark. It would be four minutes of play before scoring would resume for the Knighthawks as Ty Thompson (Walters, Keogh) would net one at 6:48 now making it 5-4 game. Rochester’s Josh Gillam would then make it a 5-5 game at 12:13. The Buffalo Bandits would then take the lead back with a goal from Thorimbert at 12:40 making it 6-5. The Knighthawks were determined to not let Buffalo get off that easy as they would strike back with just two seconds left in the period on a power play goal from Jamieson (D. Dawson, Keogh) making it 6-6 going into halftime.
At the start of the third period Rochester would finally strike first and only 33 seconds into the period as Dawson would get his second of the night giving the Knighthawks making it a 7-6 game and giving Rochester the lead for the first time in the contest. Buffalo would then shift momentum back in there favor as they would go on a three goal run. Buffalo’s Alexander-Kedoh Hill would get the scoring started for the Bandits at the 5:56 mark making a 7-7 game. The Bandits next two goals would come from David Brock at 8:47 and Smith would get his fourth of the night at 12:35 making it a 9-7 game. Rochester would then get one back with 20 seconds remaining in the period from Brad Gillies making it 9-8 at the end of the third period.
Buffalo would get things going once again scoring quickly in the beginning seconds of the fourth period with Malcom getting his second of the night just 14 seconds into the period making it 10-8. It wouldn’t stop there as Buffalo would then get two more goals off Smith for his fifth goal of the night at 2:29; followed by Steve Priolo at 2:45 now making it 12-8. Rochester wouldn’t let Buffalo just walk away that easy as the Knighthawks would go on a four goal run. Getting the run started would be Quinn Powless at 4:11 cutting the Bandits lead to three. Rochester’s home town product Joe Walters would score just over a minute later at 5:16 making it 12-10. The Knighthawks would then get goals from Brad Self at 6:56; Jamieson giving him the hat-trick on the night at 7:29 making it a 12-12 game. Buffalo would break the tie at 13:22 getting a score from Kevin Brownell. With the Bandits holding a one goal lead 13-12, Rochester would pull Matt Vinc for the extra attacker but the gamble wouldn’t pay off for the Knighthawks as Priolo would get his second of the night on an empty net. The Bandits would come away with the win. Final score 14-12.
The win it puts the Bandits at 10-4 on the season and still in first place in the Eastern Division. The Knighthawks loss puts them at 6-8 on the season holding on to third place in the Eastern Division and four games out of first place. Rochester will be back in action next Saturday April 16th at 7:30 at home when they take on the Georgia Swarm.
Chris Crane, Beat Writer Rochester Knighthawks
Lacrosse is Awesome