Sports stats

NLL Rochester Knighthawks

Rochester Knocks off Buffalo, Clinches Playoff Berth

April 29, 2018 - National Lacrosse League (NLL)
Rochester Knighthawks News Release


The Rochester Knighthawks are headed back to the Champion's Cup Playoffs. Rochester will host the East Division Semifinals on Friday, May 4 at 7:30 p.m. after knocking off the Buffalo Bandits 15-13 Saturday night.

"It feels really good," said Knighthawks head coach Mike Hasen. "The boys grinded it out and they really earned it, so it's a good feeling in the locker room."

The matchup at KeyBank Center was a nail-biter, with neither team taking more than a three-goal lead until the middle of the third quarter.

"We just stuck to the process," said Knighthawks forward Joe Resetarits. "We knew this was going to be a game of runs. We knew Buffalo was going to come out hungry. We both had our backs against the wall, but we knew once we got on our runs they were going to be tough to stop. The transition game was huge for us early."

Rochester received scoring across the board with Kyle Jackson leading the way with eight points (4+4). Resetarits, who had a pair of goals and four assists, set the NLL single-season record for points by a U.S.-born player with 100.

"I never dreamt I'd be where I am today, playing professional lacrosse," said Resetarits. "It was a dream come true being a pro lacrosse player. I'll enjoy it tonight but know that we've got a new season ahead of us starting Friday."

Rochester also got four-point efforts (2+2) from Cody Jamieson and Austin Shanks. Paul Dawson posted one goal and two assists, while Graeme Hossack (1+1), Brad Gillies, Cory Vitarelli and Jake Withers each put up single markers.

Buffalo got on the board first with two goals in the first five minutes, but Rochester answered back with three of their own to take their first lead of the night. The teams traded goals with less than a minute left in the first to conclude the frame with Rochester leading 4-3.

Rochester opened up scoring in the second with Hossack's goal in transition to pull ahead by two. The teams, however, traded scoring runs to finish the quarter with Rochester again holding a one-goal lead (8-7).

The Knighthawks went on a late third-quarter run, scoring four unanswered goals in less than five minutes to take a commanding 13-9 lead going into the final 15 minutes of play. After one more Rochester goal, Buffalo pulled within one at 14-13 with just over one minute to play. They would come within one, but Jackson's empty-netter sealed the win for Rochester.

"We were rolling, and our offense stalled trying to be too fine on the power play, but Jackson sealed the win, and we can breathe easier now," said Hasen, who tied Paul Day for the most wins in franchise history with 75.

Rochester, who finished 10-8, will now await its first-round opponent. The Knighthawks will play the winner of Sunday's Georgia-New England game.

Check out the Rochester Knighthawks Statistics



National Lacrosse League Stories from April 29, 2018


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

Other Recent Rochester Knighthawks Stories



Sports Statistics from the Stats Crew
OurSports Central