Christopher Crane, Correspondent Rochester Knighthawks
Lacrosse is Awesome©
In this week’s NLL action the Rochester Knighthawks (2-9) played host to the Georgia Swarm (10-4) in their final season match-up at the Blue Cross Arena in front of a crowd 5,428. Despite the trading deadline on March 14th and the Knighthawks having a fire sale before time ran out, they would still sign names like Mike Manley; along with Mike Triolo who was signed and put on the active roster just five hours before game time. It would seem the Knighthawks would again lack the team chemistry to keep up with the number one team in the NLL but it wouldn’t be the case as Rochester would hold the Swarm to only three goals in the second half to make a run at a comeback victory but would just fall short as the Swarm would hold on to win 15-14 and would be the first to clinch a playoff spot in this up and down 2018-2019 season.
The Georgia Swarm come right out the gate in the first and go on a five goal run before Rochester would get on the board. Getting things rolling for the Swarm would be Chad Tutton (1g, 1a); Lyle Thompson (4g, 2a) would net two of the five scores; Shayne Jackson (5g, 4a); and Randy Staats (2g, 3a) to put Georgia up 5-0. Rochester’s new comer Chris Boushy (7g, 2a)
netted his first goal of seven on the night half way through the period at 7:34 to make it 5-1. Georgia would answer right back getting a score from Myles Thompson (1g, 3a) putting the Swarm’s lead back to five at 12:25. Rochester’s other new comer Ryan Benesch (1g, 1a) would get one back for the Knighthawks just 28 seconds later to make it 6-2. L. Thompson would score again for the hat-trick on the power play at the 13: 48 mark to put Georgia back up by five. Rochester Knighthawks would close out the period netting two at the hands of rookie Mike Triolo netting his first career NLL goal in his first professional game; and teammate Boushy netting his second on the night. Score at the end of one: Georgia 7—Rochester 4.
Georgia would start off the second as Shayne Jackson would be beat Rochester’s net minder Warren Hill to make it 8-4. But the Knighthawks wouldn’t sit down and Boushy notched back to back scores for the Rochester cutting into the Swarm’s lead and the score 8-6. Georgia extended their lead back to three just 42 seconds later from Holden Cattoni (1g, 3a) making it 9-6. Rochester would hit right back off a Cody Jamieson (1g, 4a) goal; however the Swam would close out the period with a three goal run netting scores from L. Thompson; Staats; and Jordan MacIntosh (1g, 1a) to make it a 12-7 game heading into the half.
Third quarter action would see the tides turn in favor of Rochester as they would only give up one score then net five scores of their own. Getting the lone score for the Swarm would come from Jackson. The Knighthawks goals would come from Graeme Hossack (1g, 1a); Boushy with another two; Mike Burke (1g, 3a); and Dawson Theede (1g, 1a) pulling them to within one. Score at the end of three: Swarm 13—Knighthawks 12.
Fourth period action would see both sides netting two goals apiece as each teams would exchange goals throughout the period. The scoring for would all happen within the first three and half minutes of play. Both goals for the Swarm would come from Jackson; and Rochester’s from Boushy and Jake Withers (1g, 1a) but it wouldn’t be enough as the Swarm would barely hold off the Knighthawks. Final Score: Georgia 15—Rochester 14.
Rochester hit the road on Saturday March 16th traveling north to take on the Toronto Rock and unfortunately for the Knighthawks, they would fall to 2-10 on the season.
Christopher Crane, Correspondent Rochester Knighthawks
Lacrosse is Awesome©