By CRAIG POTTER
Matt Vinc and Jash Currier pace Rochester to a 13-8 victory over the Saskatchewan Rush.
ROCHESTER, N.Y. — Matt Vinc turned in a stellar performance in net and Josh Currier tallied 4 goals to pace the Rochester Knighthawks to a 13-8 victory over the Saskatchewan Rush to force the third and deciding game next week for the National Lacrosse League Cup.
“We knew what we had to do here tonight,” said Knighthawks head coach Mike Hasen. “We’ve been there, done that. They’re a team that starts very, very well. Both games we beat them they started off with a bang, so we knew we just had to get through that and do what we needed to do. We were rewarded tonight.”
Vinc turned aside 47 shots, including several breakaway saves, as the Rush netted the first 2 goals of the game, but thereafter could not put a run together.
The defense and Vinc put up a stellar performance to hold the Rush to just one goal in the second quarter as the Hawks took an 8-4 into the intermission.
“I was just trying to make one save at a time,” said Vinc. “I think the team did a good job digging out of an early hole. That’s the game we’ve played all year though. When one guy is down the other is there to bail us out.”
Currier paced the Knighthawks attack with 6 points on 4 goals and 2 assists.
“That’s how it’s been all year,” said Currier. “Someone steps up each night. But what’s most important is we got the win, and that’s what I’m happy about.”
A total of 13 players got into the scoring column for Rochester.
Cody Jamieson and defenseman Graeme Hossack netted 2 goals apiece as Brad Gillies, Austin Shanks, Cory Vitarelli, Kyle Jackson, and Eric Fannell scored 1 goal each.
Shanks collected 3 assists as Paul Dawson, Currier, Scott Campbell, and Fannell each contributed 2 assists. Hossack, Joe Resetarits, Vitarelli, Luc Magnan, Jackson, and Frank Brown all had 1 assist.
*NOTES – The best-of-3 championship series is tied 1-1. Game 3 will be Saturday, June 9, in Saskatoon at 9:30 pm ET…The win extended the Knighthawks’ league-record home playoff winning streak to 15 games…The Knighthawks will be seeking their 6th league title in franchise history in Game 3.
Links
Rochester Knighthawks – knighthawks.com