Chris Crane, Beat Writer Rochester Knighthawks
Lacrosse is Awesome
The Rochester Knighthawks (2-4) took on the Saskatchewan Rush (4-2) this week in NLL action at the Blue Cross Arena in front of a crowd of 7,194. Rochester was looking to bounce back from previous week’s overtime loss to the New England Black Wolves. Although the first half wouldn’t disappoint as it was back and forth for both teams, it would be the Rush rolling over the Knighthawks in the second half of play as Saskatchewan would take a 21-12 win.
Saskatchewan would get things started in the first quarter of play as they would rattle off the first two goals in just under three minutes of play. Scoring first for the Rush would be Dinsdale 37 seconds into the quarter; followed up with a score from Mark Matthews at the 2:27 mark to put the Rush up early 2-0. The Knighthawks would answer right back with a four goal run. It would be newcomer Currier getting it started as he would find the back of the net at 3:26 unassisted. Rochester’s Campbell would find the sweet spot four minutes later at 7:26 tying it up 2-2. Currier would net his second of the night at 8:3; and Rochester’s John Rae would get the fourth goal of the run at 9:41 putting the Knighthawks up 4-2. The Rush would get one back in the closing minutes of the first quarter on a power play goal from Church at 11:23 making it 4-3 at the end of the first.
The second quarter would be a back and forth battle for both teams, but Saskatchewan would again score first this time from McIntosh on a power play goal just 43 seconds into t0 tie it up 4-4. Rochester would go back ahead as new acquisition Andrew Suitor would go in unassisted for the score at 5:14 making it 5-4. Saskatchewan shot right back tying it once again as Corbeil would score at 6:39 making it 5-5. Rochester’s Currier gave the Knighthawks the lead once more on his second goal of the night at 8:29 making it 6-5. The Rush just kept answering back, this time a minute later on a score from Jones at 9:25. The Knighthawks got some breathing room as they would beat Rush’s goalie Aaron Bold as Vitarelli and Hossack both netted their first goals of the night making it 8-6. However, Saskatchewan would pull back to within one as Matthews would net his second of the night on an extra attacker opportunity in the closing seconds of the second quarter making it 8-7 heading into the half.
Rochester would draw first blood in the third as Llord would score only 14 seconds in putting the Knighthawks up 9-7. But for Saskatchewan it would ignite a fire storm as it would be all Rush in the third quarter as they would go on a six goal run and shut down Rochester’s offense. Matthews would start it off for the Rush at the 2:35 mark netting the hat trick making it 9-8. Then only 15 seconds later Dilks would hit net, then Matt Hossack; Messenger; McIntosh on the power play; and Dinsdale netted his second of the night at the 10:10 mark making it 13-9 at the end of the third quarter in favor of the Rush.
The fourth quarter would be much of the same as the third as it was all Saskatchewan again. The Rush would net the first four goals of the quarter as it would be Knight; Church with two giving him a hat trick on the night; and lastly Jones for his second of the night making it 17-9. Rochester’s Rookie sensation Jackson would finally get one back for the Knighthawks as he would take advantage of the extra attacker opportunity finding the back of the net at 6:41 making it 17-10. Saskatchewan would see Matthews net his fourth of the night at 6:53 on a power play opportunity making it 18-10; and Church would score with for the Rush on man down. Rochester’s Jackson got his second of the night at 11:01 on a power play opportunity making it 19-11. Saskatchewan rattled off two more in the quarter coming from Sorichetti at 11:12; and Knight with his second of the night at 13:56 putting the Rush up 21-11. The Knighthawks would get one more in the closing seconds of the fourth quarter coming from Currier who would get his second of the night on power play opportunity making the final score 21-12.
Unfortunately the Knighthawks would fall to the Rush for the second time this season. Although Rochester was able to keep it close in the first half, the second half showed the Rush to be out on mission last night as they would take advantage of the transition game and Rochester penalties as the Knighthawks would have fifty-one penalty minutes on thirteen infractions. With this loss Rochester still holds the number three spot in the standings tied up with New England. The Rochester Knighthawks will be back in action February 18th as they host the Toronto Rock for their third match-up this season with the series tied 1-1.
Chris Crane, Beat Writer Rochester Knighthawks
Lacrosse is Awesome