Chris Crane, Beat Writer Rochester Knighthawks
Lacrosse is Awesome
The Rochester Knighthawks were back in action taking on the New England Black Wolves at the Blue Cross Arena in front of a crowd of 6,256. The Knighthawks were looking to bounce back to true form after last week’s loss to the Toronto Rock, and they did just that. Rochester would take down the Black Wolves in dominating fashion and came away with a decisive 15-7 victory.
The first quarter of play wouldn’t disappoint however it would be New England rallying off the first two goals of the night as Kyle Buchanan (Culp, K. Buchanan) would net the first at 3:47; and nearly eight minutes would tick away before New England would get their second goal at 11:33 from Chad Culp making it a 2-0 game. Stephen Keogh who was just activated off the PUP for Rochester would get on the board at 14:02 on a power-play goal making it 2-1 at the end of the first quarter.
Rochester would pick up where they left off at the end of the first as Resetarits would score only 25 seconds in tying it up 2-2. The Black Wolves would answer back by putting up the next two goals as Saunders would find the back of the net at 2:57; and followed up by ex-Knighthawks Shawn Evans scoring at 5:52 making it 4-2. Rochester wouldn’t be detoured as new comer Josh Currier would get one back for the Hawks at the ten minute mark putting them back to within one 4-3. However, New England’s Saunders would make it a two goal game once again just 20 seconds later at 10:20 netting his second of the night making it 5-3. Rochester’s other new addition Quinn Powless would find the back of the net in the closing seconds of the second quarter. Score: New England 5—Rochester 4.
With a fast paced back and forth first half, the second half would have the Knighthawks turning the pressure up on the Black Wolves as the third quarter would be all Rochester or more correctly all the new additions to the Knighthawks roster. Getting things started for the Knighthawks would be Kyle Jackson netting his first of the night at 5:44; followed by Wayne Van Every; Dan Lomas; and Campbell on a break-away goal at 13:35 making it 8-5 at the end of the third.
Rochester would continue to show their dominance in a very explosive fourth quarter and be on the power-play for a majority of the frame. Keough would get things started for Rochester as he found the back of the net just 55 seconds in on the power-play making it 9-5. The Knighthawks Jackson would also get his own power-play goal two minutes later at the 2:17 mark giving Rochester a five goal lead 10-5. New England’s O’Connor and Crowley would get two goals back making it 10-7. 
Rochester would then rally off the next five all on the power-play. The first two goals would come from Currier giving the new comer a hat trick on the night; followed by Powless netting his second of the night at 11:24. One of the last two goals of the run would come from the other new comer Lomas; and Keough would net the last goal of the run giving him a hat-trick on the night in his first game back making it a 15-7 game. New England would get one final score in the closing seconds of the fourth quarter from Burns making the final 15-8.
From the beginning the Rochester Knighthawks were on a mission to prove to the rest of the teams in the NLL and its’ fans that even though some veteran guys from last year were missing from the roster this year, the new comers are the real deal and they did just that. Rochester’s offense seemed more confident as they moved the ball around getting everyone involved and also fought for loose balls; created turnovers; and didn’t just rely on the defense for change in possession. The Knighthawks defense also did the same as they were better on slowing down New England’s transition and got their own transition going as well. In addition Rochester’s defense created turnovers; gathered loose balls; and made New England’s offense work for their scoring opportunities by keeping the pressure up. Matt Vinc came up big in saves last night as he ended the night with an 82% save average.
The Rochester Knighthawks are on a bye this coming week and will be back in action as they are on the road to take on the Saskatchewan Rush January 21st.
Chris Crane, Beat Writer Rochester Knighthawks
Lacrosse is Awesome