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Rochester Knighthawks

Knighthawks' Opener Goes Down to the Wire

January 3, 2015 - National Lacrosse League (NLL)
Rochester Knighthawks News Release


The Rochester Knighthawks celebrated the beginning of their 21st season by raising their 2014 Champion's Cup Banner in front of 6,421 fans before taking on the Toronto Rock at the Blue Cross Arena, but fell just one goal short in the 13-12 loss.

Cody Jamieson led Rochester with an eight-point effort (2+6) and Dan Dawson, who was playing in his 198 th straight game, registered two goals and four assists. Cory Vitarelli (3+1) and Craig Point (2+1) also chipped in four and three points, respectively. Goalie Matt Vinc finished the game with 35 saves.

Rochester came out firing as Vitarelli put back his first goal of the game on the power play just one minute into the game. Aaron Wilson made his Knighthawks debut scoring 4:29 into the contest. A Toronto goal was answered right back, as Jamieson showed off a spin-move to make the score 4-1, Rochester. The teams continued to trade goals through the end of the quarter with Point closing out the scoring for the Knighthawks for the frame with his second of the game.

The Rock put up two power-play goals to open up the second quarter only to be stopped by Jamieson. Dawson followed suit with a beautiful jump-move to beat Toronto goaltender Brandon Miller. The Knighthawks weren't done yet, though. Vitarelli tipped his second of the night in eight minutes into the frame to give Rochester an 8-5 lead. Two more Rock goals were halted by another from Dawson to close out the first half with a 9-7 lead.

After two Rock goals to open the third, Rochester regained the lead on Jordan Hall's goal at 10:59. A beautiful behind-the-back shot from Vitarelli then gave the Knighthawks an 11-9 lead going into the fourth. Walters scored the lone fourth-quarter goal to give Rochester a 12-10 lead. Toronto, however, put together a late run and Kasey Beirnes scored the winner in the final five minutes.

Yet, after the game, it was Vitarelli's third goal that fans and players were still talking about.

"It was a really impressive goal and it was a big one at the time," said Head Coach Mike Hasen. "They were coming back again and he stung that one so it was nice to see. It was kind of reminiscent of last year."

"A lot of good players score goals like that," said Vitarelli. "Anytime you get one it always feels nice. It would have been a bit nicer if we got the win, but next week we can turn things around."

The Knighthawks hit the road on Saturday, January 10 th as they take on the New England Black Wolves at the Mohegan Sun in Connecticut. Fans can watch the game on www.universalsports.com . The radio broadcast is available on 105.5 The Team and online on theteam.fm. Rochester will be back home on Saturday, January 24 th in a rematch against the Rock. Tickets can be purchased by calling the Knighthawks front office at (585) 454-4295.

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