Justin Ivey, Beat Writer New England Black Wolves
Lacrosse is Awesome
This Friday, February 3, the New England Black Wolves will host the Rochester Knighthawks in their fifth game of the season. This will be the second time these two teams see each other this year. The first meeting was in Rochester on Saturday, January 7 and the Knighthawks blew New England away in the second half for a 15-8 win.
The first meeting of the season started in the Black Wolves favor as they went into half time with a 5-4 lead. By half time Pat Saunders had already put in two goals, newcomer Chad Culp had scored and although defense was tight on Shawn Evans, he had found the back of the net once as well. Rochester’s woes from week one, where they lost 12-5 to the Toronto Rock at home, seemed to be carrying over. The young team with a lot of roster changes from 2016, and team favorite Cody Jamieson sidelined recovering from his ACL injury, did not look comfortable. But then came the second half. The Black Wolves fell apart defensively and could not find a scoring opportunity until 5:45 into the fourth quarter. Yes, you read that right. 5:45 into the FOURTH quarter. Rochester scored four in the third quarter, and put two more in the net to start the fourth quarter before New England got on the board. At this point the game looked dreadful for New England. Although only down 6-8, the momentum was not with the team. Kevin Crowley would make it a one goal game just about 30 seconds later, but Rochester would find their shooting arms again and go on a six-goal run, putting the game well out of reach. A garbage time shorthanded goal by Sheldon Burns made the final 15-8. Frustration rose for some Black Wolves players at the end of the game. Evans and Crowley were vocal and looking to get the edge, but it was to no avail.
This meeting should be much different. The Black Wolves are playing at Mohegan Sun Arena and saw their first sellout ever of a lacrosse game last week when Buffalo visited. They fed off that crowd energy to win a tight game 13-12. Rochester is coming off a huge road win against Toronto 9-8. The win in the low scoring game proves that the team is really coming together and meshing well. Last year Rochester went 1-1 in New England, but the win came in the last game of the season when New England had already clinched a playoff berth.
NEW ENGLAND KEYS TO THE GAME:
- Stay out of the box. In the first meeting, Rochester scored nine goals on the power play. Those nine goals alone would have beat the Black Wolves.
- Pass, pass, pass. It feels like the Black Wolves have too many short possessions in crunch time. Letting it go early in the shot clock has not worked well this year. Get the goalie moving, get the motion started and let go to an open net.
- Get back on defense, QUICKLY. Transition goals are killer. They take the energy out of the building. Quick changes and not allowing odd man rushes will bode well for the Black Wolves.
NEW ENGLAND PLAYERS TO WATCH:
- Pat Saunders (8G, 7A) – Saunders has scored two goals apiece in each of the first four games for New England. The consistency is welcome. Look for him to get another two, at least. Fun Fact: Pat Saunders is the Black Wolves all-time leader in goals. Through four games in the 2017 season he has totaled 95 goals as a Black Wolves player including the playoffs.
- Kevin Crowley (9G, 10A) – Crowley had the game winning goal with under a minute left in last week’s game to complete the hat trick. This year he looks strong and more than willing to dodge to get the opening to let loose the cannon.
- Chad Culp (5G, 9A) – Culp has seemed to fit right in with the Black Wolves. He is constantly running the cut routes getting open. He has the second highest shot percentage on the team and makes every opportunity count.
BONUS: Shawn Evans (7G, 14A) – Evans leads the Black Wolves in points thus far with 21, but he had 50 goals last year, and is only on pace to have just over 30 so far this year. Will this be the week he blasts off?
PREDICTION:
I think the Black Wolves take home the win and start a streak on the right side of the fence. I do not think it will be easy though. Evans gets his second hat trick in a row, Jay Thorimbert continues his dominance in the face-off circle, and Brett Bucktooth gets his first goal of the season. The Knighthawks keep it close through three quarters, but the Black Wolves run away with it in the fourth. After seeing Cody Jamieson leave early in last week’s game, he does not make an appearance. Final Score: NE-15 ROC-10
Justin Ivey, Beat Writer New England Black Wolves
Lacrosse is Awesome