Rochester Rolls Past the Rock to 2-0 Start 12/10/22

Christopher Crane, Rochester Knighthawks Correspondent
Lacrosse is Awesome©

Featured Image Photo Credit: M. Veluvolu

The Rochester Knighthawks (2-0) played host to the Toronto Rock (1-1) in an Eastern Division matchup at Blue Cross Arena on Saturday December 10, 2022. Rochester would look to continue their momentum from their week one win over the Georgia Swarm (0-1) and the Knighthawks defense with their netminder Ryan Hartley who would have a career high 49 saves would do just that as they would hold the Rock to seven goals on 56 shots giving Hartley an 87.7% save percentage on the night. Final Score: Knighthawks 11—Rock 7.

The Knighthawks started out strong and kept that momentum going throughout the contest. The Rochester’s defense standing their ground would allow for the Knighthawks to go to work with Connor Fields (4g, 3a) and Thomas Hoggarth (4g) leading the way with four scores each. Hogarth would notch a true hat-trick on the night in the first quarter with all three being scored in 3:12 during a four-goal run. The three other Knighthawks netting one score apiece and rookie Jordan Stouros (1g) notching his first career NLL goal. The other two players tallying scores for Rochester were Ryan Smith (1g, 2a) and Mitch Ogilvie (1g) who would net an open goal score in the closing seconds of the fourth quarter.

Toronto’s offense was led by former Knighthawk Stephen Keogh (3g) with a hat trick on the night and four of his Rock teammates netting one score apiece. The other Rock scorers on the night were Zach Manns (1g), Corey Small (1g, 2a), Challen Rogers (1g, 1a) and Tom Schreiber (1g, 2a). Toronto did have a commanding presence at the face-off winning 17 of 21 and they would outshoot Rochester 56 to 42. Unfortunately for the Rock missed opportunities and Rochester’s goalie Ryan Hartley playing fantastic between the pipes, the Knighthawks would go on to take the win 11-7 which is the first win for this Knighthawks franchise against the Rock.

RYLAN HARTLEY POST-GAME: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AS99JPTxk3s
THOMAS HOGGARTH POST-GAME: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VdFptuebHeI

STATS:

Rochester Knighthawks—SOG 42; Saves 49; FO 4-20; PP 1-3
Toronto Rock—SOG 56; Saves 31; FO 16-20; PP 1-4

NEXT UP:

Rochester (2-0) will be back on the road again as they travel to MVP Arena to take on the Albany Firewolves (1-0) in another Eastern Division matchup Saturday December 17^th, game time 7:00 p.m. EST. Fans in the USA can see the game on ESPN+. Fans in Canada can see the action on TSN or the TSN app.

The Toronto Rock (1-1) will look to bounce back in the win column as they will play host at the First Ontario Centre to the Buffalo Bandits (0-1) as well on December 17^th, game time 7:00 p.m. EST. Fans in the USA can see the game on ESPN+. Fans in Canada can see the action on TSN or the TSN app.