Christopher Crane, Correspondent Rochester Knighthawks
Lacrosse is Awesome©
Featured Image Photo: Micheline V/ Rochester Americans
This week’s NLL action saw the Rochester Knighthawks (6-11) host the Vancouver Warriors (5-12) at the Blue Cross Arena in front of 5,376 fans. With Rochester out of the playoff scenario in the Eastern Division, but Vancouver is still in the hunt for a playoff spot in the Western Division it was a must win for the Warriors to lock up the final playoff spot in the West; however the Knighthawks had other plans as they rolled over Vancouver in a 18-6 win.
It was all Rochester from the start of the first period as they would net two scores in the first 45 seconds of play to go up 2-0. Getting things rolling early for the Knighthawks just 16 seconds into the period Mike Burke (3g, 3a) then teammate Austin Shanks (2g, 3a) would net score number two just 27 seconds later. Rochester would see scores from Kyle Jackson (4g, 6a) who would account for two of his four goals on the night in the first, with teammates Ryan Benesch (5g, 4a) and Cody Jamieson (1g, 6a) closing out the scoring for the Knighthawks in the first period. Netting the only two scores for Vancouver would come from Tony Malcolm (1g, 2a) and Logan Schuss (2g, 1a). Rochester would hold a 6-2 lead at the end of the first.
Rochester would show no signs of slowing up in the second period as they would rally off the first three scores of the period coming from Burke and two from Benesch to put the Knighthawks up 9-2. Then both teams would alternate scores for the remainder of the period with Owen Barker from Vancouver getting one back for the Warriors at 11:48 to make it 9-3. But Rochester’s Jackson would answer back at 13:37 and the Warriors getting the last score of the period at 14:06 from Schuss to make it a 10-4 game Rochester heading into halftime.
Third period action would see the same as the previous two periods of play as Rochester would tally off three and only allow Vancouver one late in the period. Netting scores for the Knighthawks would be Chris Boushy; Benesch; and Jake Withers (1g). Tallying the only goal for the Warriors would come from Keegan Bal to make it a 13-5 game at the end of third with Rochester still holding a commanding lead over Vancouver.
Rochester would make sure there was no doubt left that they were there to play as they would again only allow one score to Vancouver while adding five of their own. Tallying scores for Rochester would come from the likes of Shanks; Jackson; Burke; Benesch; and Graeme Hossack (1g). Netting the only score for the Warriors would come from Bal to make the final score 18-6 giving Rochester their fourth win in a row.
NEXT UP:
Rochester (6-11) will be back in action April 27th when they host on the New England Black Wolves (8-9), game time 8:00 p.m. EST.
Vancouver (5-12) will host the Toronto Rock (11-6) on Friday April 26th, game time 10:00 p.m. EST.
Christopher Crane, Correspondent Rochester Knighthawks
Lacrosse is Awesome©