Rochester leads at halftime but some players lose their self-discipline in the 2nd half.
ROCHESTER, N.Y. — The last time there was a fight at home during a Rochester Knighthawks game was about 4 years ago. The game against the National Lacrosse League defending champions Saskatchewan Rush made up for that with 2 fights in the second half.
“Three people in black can’t call on the floor and we can’t do a better job in self-control,” said Knighthawks head coach Mike Hasen.
Frustration also contributed as team captain Scott Campbell was involved in a fight in the third quarter, and received a game-misconduct.
Defenseman John Rae was involved in a fight in the fourth period and also received a game-misconduct.
Andrew Suitor was whistled for 2 roughing penalties in the final period, and Stephen Keogh was called for 1 roughing penalty.
The Rush were able to capitalize as the visitors from Western Canada ran off 10 straight goals enroute to a 21-12 victory. The win was the fourth straight for Saskatchewan after dropping its first two games of the season.
Rochester fell to 2-4 with the defeat.
The Knighthawks battled the Rush even in the first half as they held a 9-8 advantage at intermission.
“It was probably our best first half of the year,” said Hasen. “Defensively, we were doing what we wanted to do, getting in lanes and disrupting them a little bit. We had a lot of energy getting on and off the floor, especially in the second quarter. We were pushing the ball well. Offensively, we kept them spread out which is what we wanted to do. This is a learning curve.”
Defenseman Ian Lord scored 14 seconds into the third quarter for a 9-7 margin, however that proved to be the Hawks final goal for the next 21 minutes as the Rush netted 10 goals in the interum.
The Rush outscored the Hawks, 14-4, in the second half to take sole possession of first place in the Western Conference.
Rookie Josh Currier led the Knighthawks with 4 goals. Rookie Kyle Jackson collected 4 points on 2 goals and 2 assists.
“I think the ‘O’ was moving the ball well,” Currier said. “We were getting on and off the floor and doing what we needed to do in the first half.”
Dan Dawson also had 4 points with 4 assists, but it has not been the productive season expected from the veteran as he has only 10 points (1 goal + 9 assists) in 4 games.
Hasen added, “He would be the first one to say that,” said Hasen. “Again, we’ve got a lot of young kids here learning and Dawson is trying to do a lot in trying to get kids up to speed here…With Dawson we know he is going to get better each and every week.”
Currie added, “(Dan Dawson) has been helping a lot of the rookies out and he’s helped me a lot so he’s a great guy to have on the team.”
In his third game with Rochester this season, defenseman Andrew Suitor scored his first goal, and also was involved in one of the scraps.
“He played with lots of energy,” Hasen said. “He was a force out there. He’s getting up the floor and was rewarded with that goal, but defensively he’s a presence out there. That’s the Suitor we traded for and that’s the Suitor we need to see.”
Starting goalie Matt Vinc yielded 13 goals as backup Angus Goodleaf gave up 8 goals when he came on with 4:50 to play in the third quarter.
Rochester is home next Saturday night to the Toronto Rock.
*NOTES — Defenseman Paul Dawson played in his 150th game last week against New England…Rookie Kyle Jackson leads the team in points with 23…Rookie Josh Currier leads the team in goals with 10…Dan Dawson’s 4 points moved him ahead of Duane Jacobs for sixth place on the all-time team’s points list with 357…Defenseman Graeme Hossack faced his brother Matt Hossack of the Rush. Graeme is in his second season while Matt is a rookie defenseman for Saskatchewan. Each player scored a goal for his team.
Links
Rochester Knighthawks – www.knighthawks.com
Videos
Scott Campbell goal – https://youtu.be/1z1QMcsVd_U
Josh Currier 2nd goal – https://youtu.be/LTKgkE3YOxk
Andrew Suitor goal – https://youtu.be/T-aWrFM5gp4
Josh Currier 3rd goal – https://youtu.be/RGfc-s5rKaw
Cory Vitarelli goal – https://youtu.be/6ygy-brqFrc
Mike Hasen interview – https://youtu.be/YW9No9V1WJc