By: Chris Crane, Beat Writer Rochester Knighthawks
In front of a crowd of 7,582 the Rochester Knighthawks (6-7) would lose a close one to New England (7-4) giving the Black Wolves the weekend sweep of the Knighthawks. However, the game wouldn’t be a disappointing one as it was a very exciting to watch to say the least. But New England in the end would pull out a 10-8 victory.
The first period would be a defensive stand still on both sides but it would be New England going up 2-0 at the end of the first. New England would end up getting scores from two former Knighthawks one coming from Jordan Hall on the power play at 4:09 and then one more from Shawn Evans at 7:48.
New England would start the second period the same as the first ended with the Black Wolves drawing blood first. Evans would then notch his second goal of the night at just 23 seconds into the period putting New England up 3-0. Rochester would then go on a four goal run making it a 4-3 game. To get the run going the first goal would come from Ian Llord at 3:37 then followed up by Brad Self at 5:29. The Knighthawks next two goals would come on power play opportunities from Keogh and Scott Self. New England would notch the last two goals of the period one coming from Shawn Evans who would get the hat trick at 12:49 and then Sheldon Burns at 13:42, giving the Black Wolves a 5-4 lead heading into half time.
Rochester’s Self just 1:27 into the third period would notch his second goal of the night making it a 5-5 game. Kevin Crowley and Hall would then add two more for New England giving the Black Wolves a 7-5 lead. The Knighthawks would then tie the game up once again getting scores from Dan Dawson on the power play at the 12:12 mark which would be followed by Cody Jamieson (B. Self, Llord) at 12:54 making it 7-7 at the end of the third.
Pat Saunders of New England would make it an 8-7 game in the fourth period at just 43 seconds into the period. Scoring would then be at stand still almost eight minutes later until Rochester’s Dan Dawson would notch his second goal of the night at 9:14 making it even at 8-8. Unfortunately, New England would notch two more goals coming from Crowley and Saunders who both got there seconds goals on the night giving New England a 10-8 victory.
With New England’s win last night it puts them a half game out of first place in the Eastern Division behind the Buffalo Bandits. However, for Rochester with the loss they now are two games back in third place. It looks as the Knighthawks will still have a chance to make a playoff run but will need some help as well as getting some decisive victories over Buffalo, Georgia and one more match up with New England.
Rochester will be back in action April 9th when they take on the Buffalo Bandits in Buffalo.
Chris Crane, Beat Writer Rochester Knighthawks
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