Chris Crane, Beat Writer Rochester Knighthawks
Lacrosse is Awesome
On March 10, the Rochester Knighthawks (6-6) hosted the Georgia Swarm (5-7) at the Blue Cross Arena for Irish Night. In such a tight East Division, where the first and last place teams are separated by two games both teams were looking to build on win streaks. Rochester won the previous three, and Georgia was hoping to make it two in a row. Both teams would make runs during the contest, and four quarters would not be enough to determine the winner. Rochester found the net early in the overtime period, and jumped to third in the East division, while Georgia’s loss dropped them to fifth. Final Score: Georgia-10, Rochester-11
Both teams struggled to find the back of the net in the first quarter and the game got off to a slow start. The defensive battle set an early tone for the game that followed. Rochester’s Cody Jamieson (2G, 4A) finally broke through 7:01 into the quarter. The hard defense continued after, but a high sticking major on Ian Llord just under 11 minutes in opened the doors for Georgia. They scored two on the power play to close out the quarter with the lead. Kiel Matisz (1G, 3A) tied the game at one, and with only eight seconds left in the quarter, Lyle Thompson (3G, 1A) found the back of the net. At the end of the first quarter, Georgia led Rochester 2-1.
Georgia continued their scoring run in the second quarter, but it did take almost five minutes for them to solve the Rochester defense. Jordan Hall (1G, 1A) extended the lead to two goals 4:39 in. Jamieson answered for Rochester to get back within one almost three minutes later and ignited a fire. Austin Shanks (1G, 2A) scored just 48 seconds later, and on their ensuing possession after the faceoff Brad Gillies (1G, 2A) found the back of the net. Suddenly Rochester had turned a two-goal deficit into a one-goal lead in just over a minute of play. Georgia’s defense held for the next few possessions and Miles Thompson (1G, 2A) was able to tie the game at 4 with 4:50 remaining, but it was just a small bump in the road for the Knighthawks. Jake Withers (1G) scored just over a minute later, giving the lead back to Rochester. Withers then won the ensuing faceoff and Josh Currier (2G) found the back of the net just 18 seconds after. Rochester was able to outscore Georgia in the second 5-2, seemingly finding a solution to the five on five game. At halftime, Rochester led Georgia 6-4.
Georgia wasted no time tying the game in the third quarter. Jordan McIntosh (1G) scored with just 1:45 off the clock, and Jerome Thompson (2G, 1A) lit the lamp only 49 seconds later. With only two and a half minutes gone, the game was tied 6-6. Eric Fannell (2G) quickly gave the lead back to Rochester beating goalie Mike Poulin under a minute later. The score remained 7-6 for over eight minutes, as both defenses held the offenses to single possessions. Rochester solved the puzzle first and with 3:11 remaining, Currier extended the lead to two. On the power play late in the quarter, Joe Resetarits (1G, 3A) scored completing Rochester’s second third goal run of the night. At the end of the third quarter, Rochester led Georgia 9-6.
Georgia still had fight in them and started the fourth quarter strong. Lyle Thompson cut the deficit to two goals 2:19 in. After four and a half minutes of hard lacrosse, Shayne Jackson (1G, 3A) got Georgia to within one, and 46 seconds later Lyle scored again to tie the game. Halfway through the fourth, and the game was reset. Jerome Thompson made it a four-goal run with 6:01 remaining, giving Georgia their first lead of the game since the second quarter. The tide had turned in Georgia’s favor, but only momentarily. They held the lead for exactly 35 seconds as Fannell tied the game off the ensuing faceoff. The final five and a half minutes mirrored the start to the first quarter. Neither defense was willing to give in, and long shots were easily turned away. At the end of the fourth quarter, Rochester and Georgia were tied 10-10.
It did not take long for the game to end. Kyle Jackson (1G, 2A) who had been shut out the entire game, caught the feed from Resetarits just 1:30 in and beat Poulin to give Rochester their fourth straight win and possession of third place in the East. Final Score: Goergia-10, Rochester-11.
Up Next:
The Rochester Knighthawks (6-6) travel to play the Calgary Roughnecks (4-7) on Saturday, March 17 at 9:00 PM EST.
The Georgia Swarm (5-7) host the Buffalo Bandits (6-5) on Sunday, March 18 at 4:05 PM EST.