Higgins Holds Strong; Black Bears Rally in Fourth to Knock off Knighthawks
NLL Ottawa Black Bears

Higgins Holds Strong; Black Bears Rally in Fourth to Knock off Knighthawks

Published on February 14, 2026 under National Lacrosse League (NLL)
Ottawa Black Bears News Release


The Ottawa Black Bears can enjoy their long-awaited second bye week of the season with a 10-8 comeback win over the Rochester Knighthawks in the rearview mirror.

In another low-scoring affair, Zach Higgins held the Black Bears in the game until their offence came alive in the fourth quarter with five goals to overcome a deficit that was as large as two goals in the third quarter.

Higgins finished with a season-high 50 saves and .862 save percentage in the win, which pushes both his and the team's record to 6-5 on the season. "When you can hold a team like that to eight goals, that's incredible," Rob Hellyer told sideline reporter Allie Elkins after the game. "When he's on, he's the best in the game, so it's nice to see that, him having success like that, it's fun."

Hellyer finished with a game-high three goals and six points in the win. His hat trick was his fifth as a Black Bear - in just his eleventh game since arriving from San Diego in an offseason trade. "We talked about grinding them down the whole 60 minutes," he said.

"First half we were great at it, obviously it didn't come out the way we wanted on the scoreboard, only three goals, but it just carries through to the second half, and we get seven in the second half, right, so it's a big team win, everyone played amazing, so it's a good feeling."

Jeff Teat potted two goals in the fourth quarter, boosting his season-long total in the final frame to an incredible 15 goals and his NLL-leading total to 30 overall. He also scooped a season-high 12 loose balls, extending multiple offensive possessions with rebounds. Teat, who was voted the league's Most Valuable Player at midseason by fans, also finished with four assists.

Liam Aston, the Black Bears' first pick (33rd overall) in the 2025 NLL Draft, was the beneficiary of a behind-the-back feed from Connor Kearnan in the second quarter. Aston put the ball through the legs of Rochester goalie Riley Hutchcraft and just narrowly avoided touching his gloves to the crease before the ball crossed the goal line for a memorable first career goal. The Ottawa native finished with a goal and an assist in his NLL debut.

Larson Sundown nabbed two goals in a span of four minutes in the third quarter. The first was assisted on by Aston and Hellyer, and the second came via his speciality 'Sundown Slam,' assisted on by Teat and Reilly O'Connor. O'Connor scored on a fourth quarter power play and also added three assists.

Sam Firth found himself all alone for a feed from Kearnan to open the scoring for the Black Bears in the fourth quarter to make it six forwards with a goal in the game.

On defence, Callum Jones once again led the way with 13 loose balls and two caused turnovers. Jones, who topped a midseason fan vote for Defensive Player of the Year, also blocked two shots. Jake Saunders and Andrew Borgatti both nabbed assists.

After the bye, the Black Bears will have just seven games remaining, and only three at home. The first of those home games is a Feb. 28 meeting with the Oshawa FireWolves which will be the next time Ottawa is in action overall.

This year, the Black Bears will play four Friday home games and five Saturday home games from November to April.

Next up at home is a Saturday meeting with Oshawa on Feb. 28 at Canadian Tire Centre.

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National Lacrosse League Stories from February 14, 2026


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