Knighthawks 'Rocked' By Toronto In First-Place Battle
Published on January 23, 2010 under National Lacrosse League (NLL)
Rochester Knighthawks News Release
(Rochester, NY)... The Rochester Knighthawks dropped a 17-3 decision in a first-place showdown at the Air Canada Centre tonight against the Toronto Rock. The loss was the first for Rochester (2-1) and helped the Rock improve to 3-0 for the first time since the 2000 season.
Toronto was led by an eight-point night (5+3) from Garrett Billings and seven points from Colin Doyle (1+6). Bob Watson was also stellar in goal, making 45 saves including 19 in the second quarter. Blaine Manning also collected one goal and five assists. The win was the most lopsided win in the 28 regular-season meetings between the two teams. The three goals was the lowest goal output in Knighthawks' franchise history.
Rochester got single goals from Scott Evans, Shawn Evans (1+1) and John Grant Jr. Pat O'Toole made 28 saves in 42 minutes of work and Aaron Bold turned away 11 of 14 in 18 minutes of action. Grant's goal in the third quarter helped him become the fourth player in league history to reach 400 goals. He also moved ahead of Tom Marechek for sole possession of fourth all-time in NLL history in goals. Toronto opened the game with six straight goals, three of those by Billings, and shut out the Knighthawks in the first quarter. Rochester tied a franchise record with just three shots on goal. Rochester also pulled starter Pat O'Toole (eight saves on 14 saves) in favor of Bold late in the first quarter. Scott Evans finally got Rochester on the board 28 seconds into the second quarter. Toronto, however, responded with three consecutive goals to take a 9-1 lead into the second half. Billings added his fourth of the night and his first assist in the second quarter.
In the third, the Rock's Colin Doyle notched his first of the night at 4:42, but just nine seconds later Shawn Evans beat Watson on a breakaway to make it 10-2. Billings added his fifth of the game at 6:22 and Pat McCready scored a shorthanded marker to give the Rock a 12-2 lead. John Grant answered with his only goal of the contest at 11:05. The Rock piled on five more goals before the night was over for a 17-3 victory.
Rochester remains on the road for the third and final game of their season-high three-game road trip as they travel to play the Orlando Titans on Friday, January 29th at 7:35 p.m. The contest will be broadcast live on The Zone 94.1 FM and thezone941.com. Fans can also watch the game live on NLL Network.
Rochester's next home game is Saturday, January 30th against the Toronto Rock at 8:05 p.m. The game will be broadcast live on The Zone 94.1 FM and thezone941.com. Fans can meet their favorite Star Wars characters, purchase lightsabers and get autographs on Star Wars Night. All the proceeds raised will go to charity.
National Lacrosse League Stories from January 23, 2010
- Ratcliff's Nine Points Lead Stealth to 16-15 Win - Washington Stealth
- Roughnecks Fall Short to Stealth 16-15 - Calgary Roughnecks
- Mammoth 2-0 On Back-To-Back Eastern Road Trip - Colorado Mammoth
- Toronto Rock Drop Rochester Knighthawks 17-3 - Toronto Rock
- Wings Fall Short in Game of Comebacks Against Mammoth - Philadelphia Wings
- Knighthawks 'Rocked' By Toronto In First-Place Battle - Rochester Knighthawks
- Washington Stealth Improve To 3-0 With Win Over Buffalo - Washington Stealth
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