By CRAIG POTTER
Rochester beats the Rush for the first time since the 2012 Champion’s Cup final.
ROCHESTER, N.Y. – The Rochester Knighthawks ended a 6-year, 9-game losing streak to the Rush with a 16-11 victory over Saskatchewan on Saturday night at the Connors & Ferris Field before 6,188 fans at the Blue Cross Arena.
When asked what the difference was tonight for the Knighthawks, coach Mike Hasen replied with a smile, “We were due. It was a long time coming for us. We’ve got 24 guys in that room that all believe in each other and all believe in what we’re doing.”
The loss was just the second of the season for the Rush (8-2) as the Knighthawks improved to 4-6 to be 1.5 games out of third place in the Eastern Division, and the final playoff berth with 8 games left to play.
The Rush jumped out to a 3-0 lead in the first 6 minutes of the contest.
“It’s been a bit of their M.O.,” Hasen said. “We’ve watched them a bit. They come out hot. Tonight was no different. They came out firing, but we just had to weather the storm and get our legs under us. Once one went in, a couple more went in, we just kept going from there.”
However, Kyle Jackson, Josh Currier, and Scott Campbell answered to tie the game at 3-3.
Saskatchewan scored 2 more goals to hold a 5-3 advantage 38 seconds into the second quarter.
The Knighthawks then began a run of 5 goals to take control of the match. Joe Resetarits and Cody Jamieson tallied to even the count at 5-5. Quinn Powless put the Hawks in front to stay. Brad Gillies’ goal gave Rochester an 8-5 margin.
The teams then traded goals as the Rush was able to cut the deficit to 11-10 just 40 seconds in to the fourth period.
Jamieson, who finished with 7 points on 3 goals and 4 assists, amassed 8 points back in 2012 when the Knighthawks captured the Champion’s Cup with a 9-6 triumph over the Rush.
“It wasn’t forgotten that we hadn’t beaten these guys in that long,” Jamieson said. “These guys have had our number for a while. I would lie if I said it didn’t feel good to finally get that monkey off our back and finally beat these guys.”
Austin Shanks, Currier, and Jackson each collected 2 goals. Shanks also added 2 assists as Currier and Jackson had 1 each. Rookie Eric Fannell contributed 4 assists.
The offense has come alive the last two games for the Hawks (17 & 16 goals) after being in the doldrums during their 6-game losing streak.
“It’s working right now,” Hasen said. “It’s by committee. It’s not on one guy here. It’s great to see. That’s where we’re going to be successful. It’s not one guy scoring, it’s everybody scoring. Tonight was another game where we had everyone scoring.”
*NOTES – The Knighthawks placed defenseman Dylan Evans on the injured reserve list…Faceoff wiz rookie Jake Withers leads the NLL in faceoff winning percentage with a .667 mark. The former second overall pick has a team-leading 72 loose balls, which is tied for fourth in the league…Graeme Hossack has recorded 3 goals, 2 assists, and 28 loose balls, while causing 4 turnovers, in his last 3 games…The Knighthawks next game is Feb. 24 in Buffalo against the Bandits with a 7:30 pm start at the KeyBank Center. The contest of the third of four games between the two teams this season…Rush defenseman Matt Hossack is Graeme Hossack’s brother and graduated from RIT.
Links
Rochester Knighthawks – knighthawks.com
Videos
Cody Jamieson pp goal – https://youtu.be/QxGT1_KCNCE
Cody Jamieson 2nd goal – https://youtu.be/Xb7I4eokjfk
Quinn Powless goal – https://youtu.be/8JBRF3Y59U4
Josh Currier goal – https://youtu.be/_uJd2pYS4RE
Paul Dawson goal – https://youtu.be/-60a4_RhtgY
Final minute – https://youtu.be/q1ivWIfKdqQ