Chris Crane, Beat Writer Rochester Knighthawks
Lacrosse is Awesome
On Saturday, March 24 the Rochester Knighthawks (7-7) traveled to the Sasktel Centre to take on the Saskatchewan Rush (11-3) in front of 14,811 fans. The Rush have already punched their ticket to the play offs but were looking to avoid losing to the Knighthawks for the second time this season. On February 17 the Knighthawks beat the Rush in Rochester 16-11. For additional drama, the Knighthawks recently traded Dan Dawson to the Rush, and it would be his first game in Rochester since the switch. This matchup was well played from both sides, but Rochester held off a late rally from Saskatchewan to hold on for the win and sweep the season series for the first time in franchise history. Final Score: Rochester-13, Saskatchewan-10.
The first few minutes of the game were defensive. Both teams clogged the passing lanes and both goalies came up big in between the pipes. The scoreless tie wouldn’t be broken until nearly five minutes in. Kyle Jackson (1G, 2A) scored on the assist from Austin Shanks (5G, 1A). Just over two minutes later, the outstanding rookie Shanks scored to put the Knighthawks up two. Saskatchewan found themselves with a power play opportunity soon after, but Shanks found a way to score again, this time shorthanded. With 6:10 remaining in the quarter, Rochester led 3-0. Finally, with 4:11 remaining in the quarter Saskatchewan was able to get a ball past Rochester goalie Matt Vinc. Jeff Shattler (1G, 2A) scored the Rush’s first goal of the game, and it was followed under two minutes later with a fast break goal from Chris Corbeil (1G). With 1:29 remaining in the quarter, Joe Resetarits (2G, 5A) got one back to restore a two-goal lead for Rochester. At the end of the first quarter, Rochester led Saskatchewan 4-2.
The second quarter was the definition of a back and forth game. Ben MacIntosh (2G, 1A) scored first to get the Saskatchewan deficit back to one, but on the nex
t Rochester possession, Resetarits scored his second of the night. The Rush got within one again when Robert Church (4G, 2A) scored on the power play, but again under a minute later Rochester answered. This time it was Eric Fannell (3G, 1A) who brought it back to a two-goal lead. Again, Saskatchewan would score on the power play to get within one. Mark Matthews (1G, 4A) scored the goal with only 38 seconds remaining in the half, but this time it took only 20 seconds for Fannell to score and get the lead back to two. Rochester had an answer for each Saskatchewan goal to preserve the two-goal lead going into the half. At the break, Rochester led Saskatchewan 7-5.
It took just 25 seconds of the third quarter for Rochester to break the back and forth pattern. Fannell scored his third goal in a row for the Knighthawks, and Shanks made it a three-goal run with his hat trick goal just over two minutes later. For almost 11 minutes after, neither team could find a way to score. The defenses buttoned down and did not allow good looks. Finally, Saskatchewan broke through with only 1:33 remaining. Church scored his second of the night and the Rush were back to within three. At the end of the third quarter, Rochester led Saskatchewan 9-6.
Rochester gained on early power play in the fourth quarter when McIntosh was whistled for an illegal cross check just 20 seconds in. Shanks took advantage and scored his fourth goal of the night 43 seconds into the man advantage. Just under three minutes into the final quarter, Scott Campbell (1G, 1A) scored to give Rochester their largest lead of the game at five goals. Saskatchewan didn’t just roll over. Ryan Keenan (1G, 2A) scored 5:12 into the fourth on a power play opportunity and McIntosh scored just under two minutes later. Church followed that up with two goals less than a minute apart. The first came on the power play, and the second brought the Rush to within one of the Rochester lead. They wouldn’t get any closer. Cory Vitarelli (1G, 1A) scored on the power play with 2:51 left in the game, and Shanks scored on an empty net in the last minute. As was the story all game, Rochester had an answer for Saskatchewan around every corner. Final Score: Rochester-13, Saskatchewan-10.
Up Next:
The Rochester Knighthawks (7-7) host the Colorado Mammoth (9-4) on Saturday, March 31 at 7:30 PM EST.
The Saskatchewan Rush (11-3) enjoy a week off and then host the Colorado Mammoth (9-4) on Saturday, April 7 at 9:30 PM EST.