Rookie Josh Currier paces the Rochester offense with a hat trick.
VANCOUVER, B.C. — The Rochester Knighthawks used a 6-goal fourth quarter to defeat the Vancouver Stealth, 12-8, on Saturday night at the Langley Events Centre.
Defenseman Brad Gillies scored the game-winner with under three minutes to play as the second-year pro finished the night with a career-high two goals.
“It’s a big win for us as we try to get back on track,” said Gillies. “It was a tie game late and to able to pull that one out is really big for our team.”
Rochester (3-6) clawed its way back into the contest the entire night, erasing an early three-goal deficit and multiple two-goal deficits. It wasn’t until 7:13 of the fourth quarter that the Knighthawks took their first lead of the contest. That power-play goal was courtesy of Joe Resetarits, who ripped a shot past Tye Belanger.
“It was a tough start, but we kept chipping away,” said Knighthawks head coach Mike Hasen. “We took over in the second half and defensively we shut the door. We found a second gear and just kept pushing.”
Rookie Josh Currier paced the offense with three goals and one assist. Gillies, Resetarits, and rookie Kyle Jackson each contributed 2 goals. Dylan Evans, Cory Vitarelli, and Adam Bomberry accounted for the other goals. Rookie Dan Lomas, who was activated for the game, collected 3 assists, as did veteran Dan Dawson. Vitarelli and rookie Wayne Van Every also had 2 assists apiece.
Knighthawks goalie Matt Vinc registered 35 saves in gaining the win.
Next weekend, the Knighthawks and Buffalo Bandits will meet twice in less than 24 hours. On Friday, Rochester to take on the Bandits at 7 pm at KeyBank Center. The following day, the teams will meet at Connors & Ferris Field at 1 pm at the Blue Cross Arena.
Around the NLL
Rochester Rattlers Blaze Riorden (Fairport) and Dhane Smith combined for 15 points in helping the Buffalo Bandits defeat the Toronto Rock, 15-12, on Saturday night in Buffalo. Riorden score 2 goals and had 3 assists as Smith tallied 1 goal and dished out 9 assists for the Bandits.
Former Knighthawk Brad Self contributed 3 goals and 1 assist for Buffalo (3-5).