Photos courtesy of Andrea Cardin/Freestyle Photography/OSHC – NLL
The Rochester Knighthawks (8-7) traveled northeast to face the Ottawa Black Bears (5-7) in Saturday afternoon NLL action.
Rochester has found their stride recently with very convincing wins the last few weeks. Connor Fields, Ryan Smith, Kyle Waters, and Thomas McConvey have all been firing on all cylinders recently. They are finally starting to live up to their preseason hype.
The Black Bears however, have had a tough time the last few games. They were looking to battle themselves back into a playoff spot. Jeff Teat, Reilly O’Connor, Taggart Clark, Jacob Dunbar, Connor Kearnan, and newly acquired Travis Longboat were looking to resurrect an offense that has slowed down recently.
The goaltending match-up had Rylan Hartley in net for the Knighthawks facing Zach Higgins in net for Ottawa.
The Knighthawks got on track early with Connor Fields scoring three in the first quarter, and Kyle Waters with a pair to chase Zach Higgins from the Black Bears net in the first quarter. Rochester kept the pressure on in the second quarter scoring seven more times with Chad Tutton adding a couple in transition. Rylan Hartley was spectacular in the first half making huge saves to stop Ottawa threats continuously. The Knighthawks took a 14-4 lead into the intermission.
The Black Bears defense tightened up in the third quarter. Both teams were getting chances, but the goalies were up to the challenge. Unlike the first half, Ottawa’s adjustments had them do a much better job battling for loose balls, giving up less second chance opportunities.
Whenever Ottawa got on track, their frustration would inevitably get the best of them. The Black Bears played a good portion of the fourth quarter shorthanded, making it even more difficult to get back in the game.
The Knighthawks have definitely put the league on notice that they will be a factor in this year’s playoff race. Rochester wins convincingly 18-8.
To The Game:
Matt Gilray opened the scoring for the Knighthawks firing a missile in transition to the shortside at 1:49. A blast from Jeff Teat evened the game 2:27, followed by Travis Longboat introducing himself to his new teammates in Ottawa converting a Jeff Teat feed at 3:41.
Rochester stormed back with Connor Fields tying the game off a Curtis Knight pass at 4:41, followed by Kyle Waters finishing a Ryan Smith pass from in close to regain the lead 0:24 seconds later.
Connor Fields second goal of the quarter increased the Knighthawks lead off a Ryan Lanchbury pass at 5:32, followed by Kyle Waters’ second goal of the game converting a Connor Fields pass 0:35 seconds later for a three goal lead.
In four on four action, Thomas McConvey dunked a shot the dribbled past Zach Higgins off a Connor Fields pass at 13:17, followed by Fields’ third of the game with a bounced shot 0:15 seconds later.
Cam Dunkerley replaced Zach Higgins in the Ottawa net.
The Black Bears got one back when Connor Kearnan scored on the power-play with just 0:04 seconds left in the quarter.
After one quarter, Rochester 7 Ottawa 3.
Second Quarter:
Zach Higgins went back in the Ottawa net.
Ryan Smith welcomed Zach Higgins back converting a rebound off a Ryan Lanchbury shot at 0:53 seconds, followed by Chad Tutton with a shorthanded goal in transition pumping low with a fake then going high over Higgins shoulder at 5:11.
Ryan Smith added to the lead with a great individual effort firing a twister from his wrong side at 5:40, followed by Chad Tutton with his second of the game again in transition at 6:19 for an 11-3 lead.
Cam Dunkerley again replaced Zach Higgins in the Black Bears net.
Graydon Hogg joined the Knighthawks scoring with a blast off a Ryan Smith feed at 9:25, followed by Connor Fields fourth of the game with a bounced shot from the outside at 11:52. Thomas McConvey added his second of the game 0:31 seconds later to continue the first half route.
Jeff Teat finally got Ottawa on the board with a powerful sidearm snipe to the top shortside corner off a Jacob Dunbar pass at 12:46.
At the half, Rochester 14 Ottawa 4.
Third Quarter:
Again, Zach Higgins started the quarter in net for Ottawa.
Rochester kept pushing in the third quarter with Graydon Hogg scoring his second of the game diving across the crease off a Ryan Lanchbury feed at 5:11.
Larson Sundown got Ottawa on the board with a pair. The first was a laser to the shortside off a Connor Kearnan pass at 7:34, followed by quick stick to the top corner off a Travis Longboat pass at 11:01.
Josh Medeiros answered for the Knighthawks with a great individual effort. Medeiros scored with a bounced shot to finish off a Graydon Hogg pass at 13:57.
After three quarters, Rochester 16 Ottawa 6.
Fourth Quarter:
Ottawa got on the board with Larson Sundown’s quick stick off a Jeff Teat pass in transition at 1:32, but on a two man advantage Ryan Lanchbury fired a shot to the top corner from in close at 3:43.
The Black Bears continued their penalty trouble. Brent Noseworthy took a two minute unsportsmanlike penalty as well as a ten minute misconduct after the goal, to continue the 5 on 3 power-play for Rochester.
Connor Fields added his fifth of the game off a Ryan Lanchbury pass at 7:51 to increase the lead to eleven.
A fair amount of chippy play down the stretch worked against the Black Bears and their comeback attempt.
Jake Stevens got his first NLL goal for Ottawa on a give and go from Connor Kearnan in transition at 13:05.
Final score, Rochester 18 Ottawa 8.
The Three Stars:
1. Connor Fields (5g,5a)
2. Rylan Hartley (49 saves)
3. Ryan Lanchbury (1g,7a)
Game Stats:
- Shots on goal favored the Knighthawks 64-57.
- The faceoff battle was won by Rochester 16-13.
- The loose ball battle went to the Black Bears 66-64.
- Rochester went 2 for 4 on the power-play, while Ottawa went 1 for 4.
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