The Ottawa Black Bears (7-9) faced the Rochester Knighthawks (10-7) at the Blue Cross Arena in Rochester, NY.
While the Black Bears have been fairly consistent this season, they will need all good final push to secure themselves a playoff berth. Though Jeff Teat is the heart and soul of the team, they will need production from Reilly O’Connor, Connor Kearnan, Taggart Clark, Jacob Dunbar, Travis Longboat and Larson Sundown to keep the Knighthawks off balance.
Rochester has been the hottest team in the league recently, winning their last five games rather convincingly. Connor Fields, Ryan Smith, and Ryan Lanchbury have led the attack. But, production from Kyle Waters, Thomas McConvey, Curtis Knight, as well as the transition players (Medeiros and Gilray) have made the Knighthawks a very dangerous team.
The goaltending match-up had Zach Higgins in net for the Black Bears facing Rylan Hartley in net for Rochester.
A physical first half saw the Knighthawks capitalize on four of five power-play opportunities. Connor Fields led the way with a hat-trick, and Ryan Smith with a pair in the half. Ottawa was more disciplined in the second quarter, but was having trouble getting on track offensively. Rylan Hartley was spectacular in the Knighthawks net. At the half Rochester led 6-2.
The Knighthawks continued to control the flow of the game throughout the second half. Both Connor Fields and Ryan Smith continued their hot hands, with Kyle Waters adding support. Every time Ottawa tried to get on track offensively, the Knighthawks defense came up big. Rochester wins handily 12-6.
To The Game:
The Knighthawks got on the board first when Connor Fields fired a laser off a Thomas McConvey pass on the power-play at 1:26, but the Black Bears answered back when Reilly O’Connor converted a Jeff Teat feed from in front at 5:26.
Rochester regained the lead on the power-play when Connor Fields fired a bullet that eluded Zach Higgins off a Ryan Lanchbury pass at 8:55, followed by Ryan Smith from in close off a Thomas McConvey feed at 9:44. McConvey added one of his own from in close off a perfect pass from Curtis Knight at 12:10.
After one quarter, Rochester 4 Ottawa 1.
Second Quarter:
The Knighthawks opened the second quarter scoring on the power-play with Ryan Smith converting a behind the back pass from Connor Fields at 6:00, but Jeff Teat answered with a beautiful goal from in close off a Travis Longboat pass at 8:04. Connor Fields then got the Knighthawks back on track with a howitzer to the far corner at 8:41.
At the half, Rochester 6 Ottawa 2.
Third Quarter:
The Black Bears got on the board quickly on the power-play when Larson Sundown dove from behind the net at 1:59 off a Reilly O’Connor pass, but a low to low blast from Josh Medeiros in transition at 3:19 restored the four goal lead for Rochester.
The Knighthawks kept the pressure up with Kyle Waters scoring while falling down off a Ryan Lanchbury pass at 8:14, followed by a great individual effort from Ryan Smith for his third of the game at 10:47.
Jeff Teat finished the quarter with a blast off a Connor Kearnan pass at 14:44.
After three quarters, Rochester 9 Ottawa 4.
Fourth Quarter:
Ottawa opened the fourth with a power-play goal when Reilly O’Connor hit with a bounced shot at 1:59, but Kyle Waters’ second of the night falling across the crease off a Connor Fields pass at 4:00 gave the Knighthawks a five goal lead once again.
Ryan Smith added his fourth of the night with a high to high blast off a Connor Fields pass at 6:04, followed by a Ryan Lanchbury missile to the shortside at 7:33.
Ottawa added one more with a quick stick from Connor Kearnan off a Reilly O’Connor feed on the power-play at 11:45.
Final score, Rochester 12 Ottawa 6.
The Three Stars:
1. Connor Fields
2. Ryan Smith
3. Rylan Hartley
Game Stats:
- Shots on goal favored Rochester 44-39.
- The faceoff battle was won by the Knighthawks 11-10.
- The loose ball battle went to Ottawa 73-55
- Ottawa went 3 for 9 on the power-play
- Rochester went went 5 for 6.
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