Rochester returns to Capelli Sport Stadium on Saturday night to face the Blaze.
By Doug McSorley
ROCHESTER, N.Y. — The Rochester Rattlers (4-4) play host to the Atlanta Blaze (2-5) on Saturday at 7:30 pm. Rochester won the only game between both teams last year, 18–9 in Rochester. Dhane Smith scored 5 goals and John Galloway made 13 saves in the win.
The Blaze played the Launch on last Saturday and lost 19-16 in Florida. Randy Staats (Syracuse / OCC) returned to the lineup after winning the NLL Championship with the Georgia Swarm and scored 4 goals and had 4 assists. Kevin Rice (Syracuse) had 3 goals and 2 assists against the Launch. Goalie Dillon Ward (Bellarmine University) made 14 saves in net for the Blaze. Rookie Jake Withers scored 2 goals and won 24-of-37 faceoffs.
James Pannell (Virginia) scored one goal against the Launch. He leads the Blaze with 13 goals, one 2-pointer, and 9 assists on the season. Chris Bocklet (Virginia) is second in points for Atlanta with 16 goals and 6 assists.
The Rattlers next will travel to Chesapeake for their second match-up with the Bayhawks on Sunday, July 2. Rochester won the first game at home on June 10, 17-16 in overtime.