Photo Credit Featured Image: Buffalo Bandits
Christopher Crane, Beat Writer Rochester Knighthawks
In this past weekend’s lacrosse action we saw the Buffalo Bandits (1-1) travel to Blue Cross Arena to face the Rochester Knighthawks (2-0). The Knighthawks offense found the back of the net with ease. Their defense is tough and can’t be overlooked and was anchored by another outstanding night from goalie Matt Vinc. Newly acquired Billy Dee Smith from Buffalo pitted against his old teammates and there were certainly no hard feelings. Final Score: Rochester 21—Buffalo 11.
Rochester would get things started right away as the youngster Kyle “Action” Jackson would find the back of the net first at 14:35 starting the Knighthawks five-goal run. Then it would be Joe Resetarits rattling off the next two goals to put Rochester up 3-0 at 8:01. Knighthawks defenseman Scott Campbell would get a spectacular transition goal with the assist from Paul Dawson to put them ahead by the score of 4-0. Knighthawks fans would witness Jackson in high flying form finishing the 5-0 run at 6:55. Buffalo would finally sneak a couple by Vinc in the closing minutes both coming from Bandits forward Mitch Jones making it a 5-2 game after one quarter.
The Knighthawks would bring their first quarter momentum into the second. Rochester’s youth movement players Josh Currier; and Jackson (3G) would with ease find the back of the net giving Jackson a hat trick and putting the Knighthawks up 7-2. The Bandits would show a bit of life as Chase Fraser would make it 7-3 at 7:23. Unfortunately for the Bandits, Rochester would put two more on the board, one coming from rookie Eric Fannell; followed by Cory Vitarelli at 6:04 putting the Knighthawks up by six. Buffalo would string together back-to-back goals from Jordan Durston; and Josh Byrne in an attempt to dig into the already commanding Rochester lead and bring the Bandits to within four. However, the Knighthawks weren’t concerned as they would end the second quarter on a four-goal run started by Dan Dawson; Dylan Evans; Jake Withers and Vitarelli for his second on the night. Score at the end of the first half: Rochester 13—Buffalo 5.
Rochester would keep pressure on the Bandits as they would continue hitting the back of the net. Jackson would get things going once again for the Knighthawks only 14 seconds into the third with his fourth goal on the night; followed by another from (D) Dawson giving them a commanding lead 15-5. Buffalo would get some wind back in their sails as they strung together their longest run of the night at three with goals from Fraser; Steve Priolo; and Nick Weiss cutting the lead in half 15-8 at 9:49. The game turned into a defensive stronghold as the Knighthawks would end the quarter netting goals from Campbell (2); and (D) Dawson with a hat trick. Score at the end of three: Knighthawks 17—Bandits 8.
The fourth quarter would be no different than the first three with the game in favor of the Knighthawks. However, one thing changed…Buffalo would get things started this time by recording a goal from Pat Saunders at 14:33 making it 17-9. Rochester would answer back with a three-goal run from Fannell; Graeme Hossack; and Resetarits with his fourth making it 20-9. Buffalo would hit net twice more on the night, one from Jones for the hat trick; and the other from Dhane Smith. Unfortunately for the Bandits, it wouldn’t be enough as Vitarelli would also record a hat trick for the Knighthawks giving Rochester a commanding 21-11 victory over the Buffalo Bandits.
Rochester’s Matt Vinc had another spectacular night goal tending with 55 saves out of 66 shots faced; complimenting Vinc was the defense he had in front of him which was able to overpower the Bandits offense giving them minimal opportunities of which were far and few between. With the win Rochester moves to first place in the Eastern Division at 2-0 and the Bandits are sitting second in the division at 1-1.
The Knighthawks will be back in action on Saturday December 30 as they head out on the road to face the defending NLL champions the Georgia Swarm (0-2) at Infinite Energy Arena as the Swarm look for their first win of the season. Game time 7:05 p.m. EST.
Meanwhile Buffalo will head to Toronto to face the Rock (0-2) at Air Canada Centre also on December 30, game time 7:00 p.m. EST.
Christopher Crane, Beat Writer Rochester Knighthawks
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