The Ottawa Black Bears completed a fourth-quarter comeback to earn a 10–8 win over the Rochester Knighthawks on Saturday night.
Ottawa trailed 4–3 at halftime and 6–5 heading into the fourth quarter before outscoring Rochester 5–2 in the final frame, continuing its reputation as the best fourth-quarter team in the NLL.
Zach Higgins was outstanding in net for the Black Bears, stopping 50 of 58 shots in the win.
Rob Hellyer led the way with three goals and three assists for six points, while Jeff Teat added two goals and four assists. Larson Sundown reached a milestone with 200 career NLL points.
For Rochester, Riley Hutchcraft was pressed into action as Rylan Hartley served his one-game suspension for his hit on Steph Charbonneau two weeks ago. Hutchcraft was solid, allowing just 10 goals on 43 shots.
It was Rochester’s offence that went stagnant. Graydon Hogg and Zed Williams each scored two goals and finished with three points. Connor Fields led the team with a goal and three assists for four points.
First Quarter
It was a defensive battle to start. The first goal didn’t come until the 4:47 mark, when Zed Williams converted off a pass from Ian Llord to give Rochester the lead.
Ottawa responded at 6:26, with Teat finding Hellyer to tie the game at one.
Rochester closed out the quarter with a pair of quick goals. Ryan Smith scored unassisted with 1:46 remaining, and 28 seconds later Hogg added another to make it 3–1 for the Knighthawks after one.
Second Quarter
The Knighthawks extended their lead early in the second quarter. Fields found the back of the net four minutes into the frame.
Ottawa answered with two goals of its own. Hellyer scored at 5:40, followed by Liam Aston netting his first career NLL goal at 6:01, as the Black Bears trailed 4–3 at halftime.
Third Quarter
The defensive battle continued into the second half, with no scoring until the 7:48 mark, when Hogg made it 5–3 for Rochester.
Sundown pulled Ottawa back within one at 8:31, but Ryan Lanchbury responded at 10:37 to restore the two-goal cushion.
Ottawa rounded out the third-quarter scoring on the power play, as Sundown dove from behind the net with 2:47 remaining to make it 6–5 in favour of Rochester heading into the final frame.
Fourth Quarter
Cue the fourth-quarter comeback by the Ottawa Black Bears.
Sam Firth scored just 28 seconds into the fourth, and Teat followed at 2:25 off an assist from Jake Saunders to give Ottawa a 7–6 lead.
Rochester tied the game at 3:58 when Tyler Biles found Josh Medeiros in transition.
The Black Bears regained the lead on the power play at 6:26, with Hellyer setting up Reilly O’Connor.
O’Connor then found Teat two minutes later to make it 9–7.
Just 28 seconds later, Williams brought Rochester back within one with 6:06 remaining.
Hellyer sealed it with 3:08 left, as Ottawa completed the fourth-quarter comeback to secure the 10–8 win.
Rob Hellyer gave his thoughts after the game:
Top Scorers
Ottawa Black Bears
- Rob Hellyer, 3g 3a
- Jeff Teat, 2g 4a
- Reilly O’Connor, 1g 3a
Rochester Knighthawks
- Connor Fields, 1g 3a
- Graydon Hogg, 2g 1a
- Zed Williams, 2g 1a
- Ryan Lanchbury, 1g 2a
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