Christopher Crane, Rochester Knighthawks Correspondent
Lacrosse is Awesome©
Featured Image Photo Credit: Micheline Veluvolu
The Rochester Knighthawks (10-7) extended their league-best win streak to six games on Saturday night April 5, 2025, dominating the Ottawa Black Bears (7-9) from the opening whistle enroute to a 12-6 victory at Segar & Sciortino Field at The Blue Cross Arena. With the win—and following Halifax’s 13-10 triumph over San Diego earlier in the evening, Rochester became the third team to officially clinch a spot in the NLL Playoffs, marking their third consecutive postseason appearance since entering the league as an expansion franchise.
Rochester’s special teams made the difference, especially in the first half, where the Knighthawks torched Ottawa’s top-ranked penalty kill, successful 75% of the time entering the game, for four goals on five man-up opportunities. On defense, the ‘Hawks were equally impressive, allowing just two goals over the first 30 minutes to set a new team record for fewest goals conceded in a first half, surpassing the mark set in March 2020 against Colorado.
Connor Fields once again had a spectacular night putting up nine points (3 goals, 6 assists); Ryan Smith was second in points with five total including four goals, keeping him atop the league with 47. Netminder Rylan Hartley continues to shine having turned away 33 shots for his sixth victory since returning from injury on February 1. Ryan Lanchbury (1 goal, 5 assists) continues his strong playmaking season, moving into the top 10 all-time for assists in a single campaign with 84. Thomas McConvey also chipped in with a goal and four assists, while Kyle Waters scored twice. Additional contributions came from Curtis Knight (2 assists), Josh Medeiros (1 goal), and Chad Tutton (1 assist).
The Knighthawks have now scored 94 goals over their six-game tear, holding their opponents to just 57 over that span.
The first quarter was a parade to the penalty box, with nine total infractions. Rochester capitalized immediately, converting a power play just over a minute into the game after Callum Jones was sent off. Fields struck first for the Knighthawks before Black Bears Reilly O’Connor briefly tied things up for Ottawa. Back-to-back penalties against the Black Bears led to another pair of man-up markers, including Smith’s league-leading 17th power-play goal, set up beautifully by McConvey. McConvey would score again at even strength with under three minutes left in the quarter, giving the ‘Hawks a 4-1 edge. Hartley’s point-blank denial of Jeff Teat at the buzzer preserved the three-goal cushion.
The Knighthawks killed off an early penalty to start the second, then went right back to work on the power play after Ottawa’s Matt Marinier was whistled for roughing. Rochester’s Smith scored again off a slick feed from Fields, making it four straight power-play goals for Rochester. Jeff Teat finally snapped Ottawa’s scoring drought of more than 17 minutes with a tough finish while drawing a penalty and his 44th goal of the year. But Fields answered just 36 seconds later to complete his eighth hat trick of the season, and his fourth in a row. Although the ‘Hawks failed to convert on their next man-up chance, they still carried a commanding 6-2 lead into halftime.
Larson Sundown got Ottawa on the board first in the second half, slipping a dunk past Hartley, but Rochester quickly responded. Tutton initiated a fast break that ended with Medeiros finishing inside for a quick score. Moments later, rookie Jake Piseno delivered a highlight-reel hit to spark a 4-on-2 break, nearly resulting in a goal for Tyler Biles. Although Ottawa goalie Zach Higgins made the save, Rochester regained momentum shortly after when Waters tallied his first score of the night. Smith would cap a three-goal surge for the “Hawks with laser type off ball movement from Fields and Lanchbury. Teat would score again late in the third to bring Ottawa within five 9-4, but the game was already slipping out of reach for the Black Bears.
O’Connor would add another power-play tally for the Black Bears early in the fourth, but the Knighthawks continued to fire back. Fields fed Waters with a slick behind-the-back pass to push the lead back to five, and Smith completed his hat trick on the man-up shortly after. Lanchbury would join the scoring party with a rocket from the wing before Ottawa’s Connor Kearnan added a late goal to settle the score at 12-6.
GAME STATS:
Ottawa Black Bears—SOG 39; Saves 32; Sv% .727; FO 10-21; PP 3-9; PIM 14
Rochester Knighthawks—SOG 44; Saves 33; Sv% .846; FO 11-21; PP 5-6; PIM 20
NEXT UP:
The Rochester Knighthawks (10-7) will enjoy a bye week before wrapping up their three-game homestand against the Toronto Rock (5-10) on Saturday, April 19, 2025, game time 7:00 p.m. EST as they look to stay hot heading into the postseason. Fans in the USA can see the game on ESPN+ while fans in Canada get to catch the action on TSN+.
The Ottawa Black Bears (7-9) will play host to the Las Vegas Desert Dogs (4-12) at Canadian Tire Centre on Saturday April 12, 2025, game time 7:00 p.m. EST. Fans in the USA can see the game on ESPN+ while fans in Canada get to catch the action on TSN+.
Christopher Crane, Rochester Knighthawks Correspondent
Lacrosse is Awesome©