Christopher Crane, Beat Writer Rochester Knighthawks
Lacrosse is Awesome
It was a double-header weekend for the Rochester Knighthawks (3-2). After losing to the Toronto Rock (3-2) Friday January 12 by the score of 17-9, Rochester was 2-2 heading into Saturday night. Their goal: get above the 500 mark to remain near the top in the East. They were looking to get back on track after dropping their last two road games as they took on the New England Black Wolves (3-1) at the Blue Cross Arena. It would be a back and forth battle to the end; however it would be New England topping the Knighthawks. Final Score: New England 9—Rochester 8.
Rochester would get things going as Dan Dawson (2G, 1A) would get a slow roller past Black Wolves goaltender Aaron Bold to put Rochester up 1-0 only 53 seconds in. New England would answer back at the 2:10 mark from Seth Oaks (2G) to tie the game at one apiece. Kyle Jackson (1G, 1A) forward for Rochester exchanged goals with Stephan LeBlanc (2G, 4A) forward for New England tying the game again. The quarter would end with goals from Rochester’s Cody Jamieson (2G, 4A) on the power-play; and Kevin Buchanan (1G, 1A) for New England with 35 second remaining. The score would be tied 3-3 at the end of the first.
The second quarter would be a repeat of the first as both sides continued to show they were even on both sides of the ball. Austin Shanks (1G, 1A) got his second career start for the Knighthawks and would get things started finding the back of the net at 3:57 to give the lead back to Rochester; but Kyle Buchanan (1G, 2A) would tie it up on the power-play at 5:10 making it 4-4. Finishing out the scoring for the second quarter would be Rochester’s Joe Resetarits (2G, 1A); and Shawn Evans (1G, 5A) making it 5-5 heading into the half.
The third quarter would see a small shift in power as New England was able to beat Matt Vinc for three scores that would come from Leblanc, his second of the night; along with teammates David Brock (1G) and Oakes. Rochester’s (D.) Dawson would be the lone score for the Knighthawks; making it 8-6 in favor of the Black Wolves at the end of the third.
New England would then extend their lead to three goals to start the fourth quarter. Kevin Crowley (1G, 2A) would score the only goal this quarter for the visitors to make it 9-6. Ten minutes of scoreless lacrosse, but Rochester on the other hand would keep digging until the closing minutes finally finding a hole in New England’s defense. Resetarits would score at 13:03 making it 9-7. In the closing seconds the Knighthawks would get a huge break as Jamieson would net his second of the night on a penalty shot making it 9-8. Unfortunately for Rochester it wouldn’t be enough as the Black Wolves would take the victory. Final Score: Black Wolves 9—Knighthawks 8.
With the victory New England is 3-1 and sits atop the Eastern Division. The Knighthawks will get a chance to avenge this home field loss as they travel to New England January 21, on a rare Sunday afternoon game. Time 1:00 p.m. EST
Christopher Crane, Beat Writer Rochester Knighthawks
Lacrosse is Awesome