Knighthawks Defeat Bandits in Wild Game
Published on February 1, 2015 under National Lacrosse League (NLL)
Rochester Knighthawks News Release
The Rochester Knighthawks scored the game's last seven goals to earn a thrilling 17-11 victory over the divisional rival Buffalo Bandits tonight at Connors & Ferris Field at The Blue Cross Arena.
"That was a big win," said Joe Walters. "We got back to 500 and that was our goal. I thought they tested us and we got out to big lead but they came back. I think it showed our character that we fought back and came out with that big win. I was just proud of the way our guys stepped up and fought back."
Rochester saw goals from six different players in the victory over its thruway rivals. Walters had a career-high seven points (5+2). Just one week after playing in his 200th straight regular season game, Dan Dawson put up a career-high 11 assists. Cody Jamieson recorded seven points (4+3) while Jordan Hall (3+2) and Craig Point (2+3) each had five-point nights. Joel Matthews had one goal and two assists in his second game playing with the team. Cory Vitarelli registered two goals against the Bandits.
"A lot of the credit goes to our offensive guys," said Knighthawks Head Coach Mike Hasen. "They were moving the ball well and creating space. We needed the wins and to get one over Buffalo it was a big one."
"This is the outburst that the offense needed and we're starting to have fun out there," Walters said. "We kept the ball hot. The ball was moving back-and-forth and that's what we need."
Angus Goodleaf also got his chance to shine in goal for the Knighthawks, playing the final 18:42 of the game. Starter Matt Vinc made 23 saves and Goodleaf made 11 saves on the 12 shots he faced in the fourth quarter.
"That's the one good thing about having 'Gussy' there," Hasen said. "He stepped up and had a lot of big saves and held it together there while we were getting on the board so it was good."
"It's a good feeling just getting the 'W'," Goodleaf said. "We had a rough third period there, but I knew we were going to come back strong and we battled back. The offense put up seven goals in the first quarter and that made my job a lot easier."
The Knighthawks stormed ahead, outscoring the Bandits 6-1 in the first quarter. Hall opened the scoring for the team, getting Rochester on the board 3:34 into the frame. Point struck next with a bullet that flew past Buffalo goaltender Anthony Cosmo. Jamieson got his first of the night on the power play at 10:49 to give the Knighthawks a 3-0 lead. Buffalo got its first of the night shortly after but Jamieson answered right back to reclaim the three-goal lead. Walters closed out the quarter with a pair of goals.
Two Bandit goals to start off the second quarter were halted by four-straight Knighthawks goals. Matthews put up his goal for the night at 7:03 followed by Hall's second of the game. Jamieson and Walters each recorded their hat trick goals before the end of the first half. The Bandits then registered one more goal but Rochester kept a commanding 10-4 lead going into halftime.
Buffalo tied the game at 10 in the third and then opened scoring in the final frame to take its first and only lead of the game. But the Knighthawks took control with seven straight goals, getting tallies from Jamieson, Hall, Walters, Vitarelli and Point to finish off their East Division rivals.
"Sometimes when you're faced with adversity, your character really comes out," Dawson said. "There were two ways we could go. We had the same mentality on our bench when we were up at halftime as we did when we were tied. It just goes to show that we're a veteran team. When you believe in the process and the game plan, it works for you."
"We've got the tools and it's a work in progress," Walters said. "We always pride ourselves on every time we're together, whether it's in practice, a game, pregame, shoot-around. We're just trying to get better. It's a process. It's been four games and we battled back to 500. We're happy about that and now we've got a big game next weekend. (We'll continue) to try to get better in practice and keep improving."
With the victory, Rochester improved to 2-2, moving into a four-way tie for second in the East Division. The win marked the second straight for the Knighthawks and the fourth straight over Buffalo (3-3).
National Lacrosse League Stories from February 1, 2015
- Stealth Back on Track, Knock Off League's Only Undefeated Team - Vancouver Stealth
- Mammoth Remain Atop the West Despite Loss - Colorado Mammoth
- Knighthawks Defeat Bandits in Wild Game - Rochester Knighthawks
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