Christopher Crane, Rochester Knighthawks Correspondent
Lacrosse is Awesome©
Featured Image Photo Credit: Jenn Pierce
The Rochester Knighthawks (5-7) wrapped up their three-game road trip in their first-ever appearance to WestJet Field in the Scotiabank Saddledome. They would face off against the Calgary Roughnecks (6-5) and would see commanding performances from Connor Fields (2+7) and a sensational 42-save effort by Rylan Hartley. Combined with a full team effort, the Knighthawks would defeat the Roughnecks 15-10. With the victory, the Knighthawks closed out their road tour with a 2-1 record and remain undefeated (4-0) against the Roughnecks since entering the league in 2019-20 as an expansion team (the original Rochester team moved to Halifax to become the Thunderbirds).
Fields led the charge with his playmaking, while Ryan Lanchbury (1+6) and Thomas McConvey (5+2) each contributed seven-point performances. McConvey, who led all scorers with five goals, fired a game-high 11 shots. Kyle Waters added a pair of goals and assists against his former team, and contributions came from all over the roster, with multi-point games from Matt Gilray (1+2), Ryan Smith (2+1), Curtis Knight (1+1), and Chad Tutton (1+1). Brad Gillies, Tyler Biles, and Graydon Hogg also had an assist on the night.
Hartley, making his third start of the season, secured his second win of the campaign, while Calgary’s Cam MacLeod took the loss in goal with 29 saves.
In the first quarter the Knighthawks wasted no time asserting themselves, jumping out to a 4-2 lead after the frame. Smith bookended the scoring in the opening frame, netting the first and final goals of the quarter, but the highlight came from teammate K. Waters. After about 10 minutes of play, the former Roughneck would take to the air from behind the net, sneaking the ball past Calgary’s MacLeod for a 3-0 lead. Calgary responded with two in a row to close the gap with 1:33 left in the quarter, but the ‘Hawks weren’t done yet. Smith would strike again with just 2.2 seconds left in the frame, making a shot over MacLeod’s shoulder to give Rochester a two-goal lead heading into the second quarter.
The Knighthawks would take full control in the second, outscoring Calgary 6-2. Lanchbury got it started just 56 seconds in, putting it through the legs; and teammate McConvey followed with a rocket less than a minute later, forcing Calgary to pull MacLeod in favor of Gowah Abrams. The switch didn’t faze the Knighthawks. Less than a minute into the change in net, Fields delivered a highlight-reel goal, shooting a no-look shot behind his back to extend the Knighthawks lead to 7-2. Curtis Dickson would halt the four-goal run, but that didn’t stop McConvey as he’d put up another. Dane Dobbie and Haiden Dickson would tally back-to-back markers getting them to within three 8-5. Then with five and change left, Curtis Knight tallied his first and McConvey would notch his hat trick in dramatic fashion, putting a shot under Abrams’ left leg with just 0.1 seconds remaining in the quarter giving the ‘Hawks a 10-5 lead heading into the half.
McConvey would pick up right where he left off, finding the back of the net in the opening minute of the third quarter for his fourth tally of the night. Calgary responded with two quick goals to pull within four, but Rochester’s Waters would halt the momentum by burying a feed from teammate Lanchbury restoring a five-goal cushion. Calgary’s C. Dickson would launch a long-range shot past Hartley to make it 12-8 game at the end of the third quarter.
Another five would go up in the fourth, this time Rochester outscoring the home team 3-2. Fields struck again early in the fourth, marking his second goal and eighth point on the night. With that tally, he joined teammate R. Smith as the only Knighthawks to hit the 25-goal mark this season. Tutton added the nail to the coffin by finishing off an odd-man rush with a top-shelf goal. Calgary would manage another power-play goal, but McConvey would answer right back with his fifth tally of the night, ensuring Rochester stayed in control. The game would get chippy in the closing seconds, when Tyler Biles would drop the mits against Calgary’s Bennett Smith. Biles would get the better of the exchange, capping off a hard-fought victory with the Knighthawks. Final Score: Knighthawks 15—Roughnecks 10.
GAME STATS:
Rochester Knighthawks—SOG 50; Saves 42; Sv% .808; FO 9-27; PP 1-4; PIM 37
Calgary Roughnecks—SOG 52; Saves 35; Sv% .700; FO 18-27; PP 3-4; PIM 35
NEXT UP:
The Rochester Knighthawks (5-7) head back home and will host the Albany FireWolves (3-8) at Blue Cross Arena for Native American Heritage Night and Marvel Superhero Night on Friday February 28, 2025, game time 7:00 p.m. EST. As part of the special night the first 3,000 fans in attendance will receive a special edition Legends of Lax Marvel comic book featuring Knighthawks players. Fans in the USA can see the game on ESPN+ and fans in Canada get to see the action on TSN+. The game will also be televised on NLL+.
The Calgary Roughnecks (6-5) will head to Ball Arena to face the Colorado Mammoth (6-5) on Saturday March 1, 2025, game time 7:00 p.m. EST. Both teams will be heading into the contest after having come off losses so this game could be extremely exciting for both sides. A win for either team will give them a one game advantage in the standing with the top eight teams fighting for a playoff spot. Fans in the USA can see the game on ESPN+ and fans in Canada get to see the action on TSN+. The game will also be televised on NLL+.
Christopher Crane, Rochester Knighthawks Correspondent
Lacrosse is Awesome©