Knighthawks Listless In Loss To Orlando

The first-place Orlando Titans toppled the Rochester Knighthawks 9-4 tonight at The Blue Cross Arena. With the win, the Titans improved to 6-3, while the Knighthawks (5-5) dropped to .500. Leading the way for Orlando was forward Jordan Hall (1+6) who had seven points, followed by four point from Matt Alrich (2+2). Mat MacLeod and Mike McLellan also contributed two goals for the Titans in the win. Netminder Matt Vinc backed-up the defense, with 47 saves on 51 shots. Shawn Williams (0+4), who recorded his 500th career assists on the K-Hawks first goal, and Shawn Evan (1+2) carried the offense for the Hawks. Pat O’Toole also tied National Lacrosse League Hall of Fame goalie Dallas Eliuk as the all-time saves leader. They are now both tied with 6,356 saves. O’Toole made 33 of 42 saves in the losing effort. John Grant Jr. was scratched because he and his wife are currently in the hospital expecting their first child tonight. After more than 18 minutes of scoreless play, Orlando was first to put a tally on the board at 3:18 of the second quarter to take a 1-0 lead. Forward Chad Thompson made the goal with assists from Ryan Boyle and Hall. The Titans would add four more goals throughout the quarter from Alrich, McLellan and two from MacLeod. Rochester, who remained scoreless in the first half, has only been shut-out one other time in Franchise History at the half. That day came on April 5th, 2001 to the Toronto Rock. Orlando was then first to score in the second half at 4:12 of the third quarter. McLellan scored his 12th goal of the season and made it a 6-0 game with assists from Maddalena and Hall. The Knighthawks finally put their first goal on the board after 36 minutes of play in the third quarter at 6:17. Defenseman Kevin Fines scored his third goal of the year to shrink the Titan’s lead to 6-1. Shawn Evans and Williams both assisted on the play. The Titans would add one more goal before the end of quarter at 12:41 of the third. Greg Peyser scored the goal with an assist from Alrich to make the score 7-1. Scott Evans would help minimize Orlando’s lead with a goal, only 36 seconds into the fourth quarter, to make the score 7-2. Evans scored his fourth goal of the season with help from Williams and Shawn Evans. The Knighthawks continued to creep back at 1:37 of the quarter. This time, Shawn Evans scored the goal to make the score 7-3. Assisting on the goal was Williams and Gary Gait. Orlando answered back this time, at 6:07 of the fourth quarter making the score 8-3. Alrich added to the lead, scoring his eighth goal of the season, with assists from Hall and MacLeod.The Hawks remained in the game with a Craig Point goal at 13:11 of the fourth quarter, with assists from Williams and Gait to make the score 8-4. It was Point’s 21st goal of the season. The game would end with a Hall penalty shot goal at 14:24 of the quarter, securing a 9-4 win for Orlando. Rochester hosts the Buffalo Bandits at 7:35 p.m. at The Blue Cross Arena on Saturday, March 27th.