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Rochester Knighthawks

Knighthawks 'Blaze' A Trail To The Playoffs

April 2, 2011 - National Lacrosse League (NLL)
Rochester Knighthawks News Release


(Rochester)... The Rochester Knighthawks burned the Boston Blazers 19-8 tonight to lock up a spot in the National Lacrosse League Playoffs. Rochester used a season-high six power-play goals to record its most dominating win of the season to improve to 7-5.

Matt Vinc was stellar in goal with 30 saves on 38 shots. Shawn Williams (4+3), Cory Vitarelli (3+1), Craig Point (2+2), and Jordan Hall (4+0) all posted hat tricks for the Knighthawks. Shawn Evans racked up seven total points (2+5) while Cody Jamieson finished with four points (2+2). Williams netted his 300th goal as a Knighthawk, while Pat McCready and Mike Accursi are played in their 200th professional games. The goal total was the largest since March 29, 2008 when Rochester scored 20 against the Philadelphia Wings.

The Blazers extended their season-high losing streak to five games with the home loss. Boston fell to 6-8 and now holds a slim lead over the Philadelphia Wings (5-8) for the fourth and final spot in the East. For Boston, Dan Dawson (2+0), Casey Powell (2+3), and Kevin Buchanon (2+1) lead the team in points. Goalie Anthony Cosmo had a long night posting 22 saves on 42 shots.

In the first quarter Knighthawks Williams posted the first goal of the game as he slid behind a defender and received the pass from Pat McCready. Boston then answered with a goal by Jamie Rooney who picked up the bouncing rebound and scored five hole on Vinc. Bad blood started to be exchanged as a fight between Jarrett Davis and Kyle Rubisch set the tone for an aggressive second quarter. Pat McCready received a five minute aggressor major when he snuck up behind Buchanan and took him to the ground who then continued to land punches. Boston took the first lead of the game with a shorthanded goal by Buchanan who split a Rochester double team and put it passed the left shoulder of Vinc.

The start of the second was dominated by Rochester who scored eight of nine goals. The first was by Williams who tied the score at two with a rocket shot passed the five hole of Cosmo. Vitarelli scored at 4:16 to make it 3-2 Rochester. The next three goals came from Jamieson and Hall which opened up the score to 6-2 Rochester.

Dawson answered for Boston to reduce the Knighthawks lead to three with a goal off a pick from Powell. Hall scored with a pass across the middle from Evans to make it 7-3 Rochester. Following Hall's goal Jarrett Davis scored on a give and go on a 3 on 2 fast break which was assisted by Chris Schiller. Hall scored his third goal for a hat trick to increase Rochester's lead to seven. At halftime Rochester led 9-3.

In the third, Buchanan decreased Rochester's lead by one with a sidearm shot that blazed passed the right side of Vinc. Rochester shortly answered with a power-play goal from Craig Point who broke towards the net as he received the pass from Shawn Evans at 4:26. Powell then answered with a power-play goal from the left wing that zipped into the net. Rochester continued its onslaught as they scored the next four goals. Evans with a low to high sidearm shot made the score 11-5. Scott Campbell then scored with a shot from the point on a flustered Cosmo at 11:59. Williams then increased the score to 13-5 with a goal at 12:54.

Knighthawks' Vitarelli scored at 14:05 to make the score 14-5 Rochester. Dan Dawson scored for Boston at 14:58 which was assisted by Josh Sanderson. Hall scored on a fast break for his fourth goal of the game which was followed by a goal by Williams to increase Rochester's lead to 10. Powell then scored a shorthanded goal to make it 16-7 Rochester. Vitarelli scored the next goal for a hat trick and Point scored the last goal of the game on a behind the back shot.

Rochester returns home to host the Buffalo Bandits on Awards Night on Saturday, April 9th. The regular season home finale is a 7:35 p.m. start. The game will be broadcast live on The Zone 94.1 FM and www.thezone941.com. The first 3,000 fans will receive a Knighthawks Koozie, courtesy of AT&T. In addition, the first 5,000 fans will take home a Knighthawks rally towel.

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