ROCHESTER, NY - The Rochester Knighthawks were defeated by the Toronto Rock Saturday night by a score of 11-9. The game started off well for the home side, as the Knighthawks outshot the Rock 18-8 and led 4-3 after the 1st quarter. Ryan Smith led the way with two goals in the quarter. Toronto had many more opportunities in the second quarter, but goaltender Joel Watson was equal to the task. Rochester entered halftime with a 7-5 lead.
The Rock outscored the Knighthawks 3-1 in the third quarter, tying the game. The fourth consisted of back and forth, high intensity play, with great chances, saves, and hits by both teams. Ryan Smith broke the deadlock to give Rochester a 9-8 lead, sealing the hat trick, his 6th of the season. But the strong night soon came undone for the home team, as three Toronto goals in the final six minutes of the fourth quarter allowed the visitors to barely escape with a 11-9 victory.
Toronto improves to 11-5 on the season, second in the East behind the 13-3 Buffalo Bandits. Each team has two games left, so the Rock will need to win out and get help to secure home field for the playoffs. The Knighthawks fall to 3-12 on the season, currently last place in the NLL standings. They will battle the New York Riptide in their final road game of the season this Saturday. Their next home game is Friday, April 22 against the defending NLL champion Calgary Roughnecks.
PHOTO CREDIT: Micheline Veluvolu, Rochester Knighthawks