ROCHESTER ‑ There were several hot sticks in action this past weekend in Buffalo in National Lacrosse League action.
Despite multi-point games registered by Rochester Knighthawks attackers Cody Jamieson (2G,3A), Stephen Keogh (3G,2A), Cory Vittarelli (3G,1A), Dan Dawson (2G,2A) and more, they were trumped by the Buffalo Bandits 13-10 Friday night in Buffalo, led by big games from Dhane Smith (4G,3A), Mark Steenhuis (3G,3A), Ryan Benesch (2G,4A), and others, the Knighthawks lost to Buffalo 13-10.
“I think we played well on offence. We were really moving the ball and ‘Vno’ (Matt Vinc) played a great game,” said forward Stephen Keogh. “We still haven’t played to our full potential so we need to figure that out and come out hot off the start of the game and play a full 60 minutes.”
The Knighthawks fell below .500 to find themselves two games out of first with Buffalo riding atop the East after Friday night’s games.
“The good thing is we get to back up and do this again tomorrow and get another chance to focus on playing a full 60 (minutes),” said Knighthawks head coach Mike Hasen. And that is exactly what they did, taking down the New England Black Wolves 17-13, Saturday night.
The Wolves attacked as a pack in the first quarter scoring four powerplay goals in building a 5-0 lead before the K-hawks scored its first of the night. New England closed the first quarter with the Black Wolves ahead 6-1.
But after the short breather between quarters, the Knighthawks turned the tide outscoring their hosts 9-2 to end the half leading 10-8. It was a huge period for Cody Jamieson, Dan Dawson and Stephen Keogh in particular. Jamieson scored Two and assisted on three, Dawson scored two and assisted on two, and Keoghs cored twice, in the second quarter alone.
The Wolves regrouped at the half and came out hot scoring the first three goals of the period to retake the lead, 11-10. But it was Keogh with two, and Dawson regaining the edge late in the quarter.
Keogh kept the ball rolling in Rochester’s direction 24-seconds into the fourth quarter. The teams traded three goals apiece in the third and Rochester held the Wolves at bay for the win.
In other games Friday, the Toronto Rock continues to fall like a stone with a 15-10 road loss to the Calgary Roughnecks out west.
Meanwhile Saturday night also saw the Georgia Swarm take a hit from the Saskatchewan Rush, 14-8. Randy Staats scored three and added an assist, and Johnny Powless registered an assist. Lyle Thompson scored one and assisted on one, while Miles Thompson assisted on two in a loosing cause.
Mark Matthews did most of the damage for the Rush scoring four and assisting on four more.
Sunday the Toronto Rock battled for a 9-6 win over Vancouver.
STANDINGS
Entering Week #12 of the NLL season
WEST
Team W L GB
Buffalo 7 4 —
New Eng 5 4 1
Rochester 5 5 1.5
Georgia 4 7 2.5
Toronto 3 7 3.5
EAST
Team W L GB
Colorado 8 2 —
Sask 6 3 1.5
Calgary 4 7 4.5
Vancouver 3 7 5
