Knighthawks Easily Clip Wings
By: Thad Brown
Updated: February 5, 2011
Matt Vinc had a solid performance between the pipes for Rochester, allowing only 6 goals on 38 shots, including a penalty shot save. Vinc was backed by an offensive explosion by Shawn Evans, who had a hand in all but two of Rochester’s goals, recording nine points (1+8) on the night. Jordan Hall also recorded a hat trick and added an assist in his first game in teal and white.
Rochester opened the game with a scrappy and aggressive style, which paid off when Craig Point netted the first goal of the contest. Working off of a Vinc save, Rochester quickly transitioned to the attack and Point rocketed a shot into the top corner of the goal. Assisting on Point’s seventh goal of the season was Shawn Williams.
After holding a 1-0 lead for most of the first quarter, Cody Jamieson added to the Knighthawk lead, scoring with just 47 seconds remaining. Rochester’s high-pressure defense was able to force a turnover deep in the Philadelphia zone, which then led to the Jamieson goal.
In the second, Rochester built on their lead after Williams added his lone goal of the night, converting feeds from Evans and Pat McCready.
The momentum continued for the home team when Hall scored his first goal of the season on a shot that trickled through the legs of Philly goaltender Brandon Miller. Hall was selected by Rochester with the third overall pick in the NLL Dispersal Draft of Orlando Titans players.
Philadelphia broke the 4-0 lead 10 minutes into the second quarter when Athan Iannucci scored on a tough angle shot that found its way past Vinc.
Just a couple minutes later, Iannucci beat Vinc again, this time colleting a rebound and putting it in. Rochester Head Coach Mike Hasen threw the challenge flag, but the goal stood.
The lost challenge led to a bench minor penalty for the Knighthawks, but they responded with an impressive goal by Evans, who dove by his defender and scored while shorthanded. Point and Hall were credited with the helpers, and Rochester carried a 5-2 lead into halftime.
Rochester continued their dominance in the third quarter, opening the half with another goal from Hall at 46 seconds.
“No Mercy” Mike Accursi added another for the K’Hawks, this time shorthanded off feeds from Evans and Jamieson.
Two minutes later, Evans and Jamieson tallied assists again, feeding to Point for an 8-2 Rochester lead.
With 12 seconds remaining in the third quarter, Accursi added another goal, again from Evans.
The fourth quarter saw more offense from the Wings, who went on a three-goal run to start the final stanza. Alex Turner scored just 1:37 into the period and was followed by two goals from Drew Westervelt.
However, the run by Philadelphia wasn’t enough as Rochester had an answer. Hall scored his third of the game at the 10:11 mark, and Chris Driscoll added an empty-net goal to seal the 11-6 victory. Evans, yet again, had an assist on Hall’s goal.
On Saturday, February 12th, Knighthawks Hall of Famer Randy Mearns will join Webster native and former Knighthawk Pat Dutton, former K-Hawk and Nazareth College star Jake Coon and former Knighthawk and Hobart star Bill Warder. The game is a 7:35 p.m. start against the Minnesota Swarm.
