“Muffler” Mike Kostiuk – Senior Correspondent, All Lacrosse All The Time
The Rochester Knighthawks opened their 2024-2025 season at Blue Cross Arena Saturday night against the Las Vegas Desert Dogs. Despite subpar records the first two seasons of existence, the Desert Dogs enjoyed a 2-0 edge in games against Rochester. With a revamped offense, Las Vegas was hoping to improve upon their scoring woes. However, they could not solve the juggernaut that is the Knighthawks offense. Connor Fields tallied 10 points, and Ryan Smith had 5 goals in a 14-12 Rochester victory, their first ever against the Desert Dogs.
Tight first half features 12 different scorers
Twelve different players found the back of the net in a wild first half that saw six ties and six lead changes. Las Vegas took a 2-0 lead on goals from Jacob Ruest (2:46) and Brandon Goodwin (4:12). Rochester leveled the game when Ryan Smith (7:04) and Curtis Knight (7:42) scored 38 seconds apart. The first quarter ended with the score tied at 2-2.
Ryan Lanchbury scored a power play goal 26 seconds into the second quarter to give Rochester their first lead of the game, 3-2. The Desert Dogs quickly regained the lead on goals from Jack Hannah (0:55) and Casey Jackson (2:21). Rochester responded with Kyle Waters (4:21 power play) and Connor Fields (4:44) for a 5-4 lead. Jackson (6:05 power play) and Hannah (7:08) struck again to put Las Vegas back up 6-5. Thomas McConvey tied the game 53 seconds later. Shane Simpson scored his first goal in a Desert Dogs uniform at 10:09 to put them up 7-6, but Turner Evans scored with just one second remaining in the half to tie the game 7-7 going to the intermission.
https://twitter.com/NLL/status/1863024318822650344
Fields, Smith take over in second half
Power play goals from Kyle Killen (1:48) and Hannah (4:29) gave the Desert Dogs a 9-7 lead in the third quarter. Smith and Fields then took over as the Knighthawks went on a four-goal run. Fields assisted on McConvey’s second goal (6:28), then scored his second goal (9:21) to tie the game again at 9-9. Fields then assisted on back-to-back goals from Smith (10:32; 12:34) as Rochester took an 11-9 lead. Simpson’s second goal (14:47) cut the deficit to one entering the final frame.
Smith’s fourth goal of the night (1:26 power play) pushed the lead back to two, but Hannah’s fourth goal (2:37) and Killen’s second (3:29 power play) tied the game for the eighth time, 12-12. Fields notched his hat trick at 7:34, Smith’s fifth goal (8:32) gave Rochester a two-goal edge, and Las Vegas was unable to respond over the final six-plus minutes.
https://twitter.com/NLL/status/1863039792440623363
Other Stats of Note
Desert Dogs: Hannah (4g, 2a); Jackson (2g, 2a); Killen (2g, 1a); Simpson (2g); Jonathan Donville (6a)
Knighthawks: Smith (5g, 3a); Fields (3g, 7a); McConvey (2g, 3a); Lanchbury (1g, 6a); Knight (1g, 2a)
Fields has now registered 10 or more points four time in his last 19 games dating back to last season.
Landon Kells (LV): 58 saves; Riley Hutchcraft (ROC): 50 saves
This contest marked the 30th consecutive game in which Las Vegas failed to score 13 or more goals. The last time the Desert Dogs did so was February 4, 2023 against Colorado.
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