(Rochester, NY)… It might have been a preseason game, but tonight’s showdown between the Rochester Knighthawks and Oshawa FireWolves had all the drama of a midseason National Lacrosse League contest.
Connor Fields’ goal with 1.7 seconds left and Drew Hutchison’s point-blank save as time expired gave the Knighthawks a thrilling 9-8 victory at Tribute Communities Centre. Rochester improved to 1-1 with the win and dropped Oshawa to 1-2 in the preseason.
“Games like this are huge during the preseason because they put you in tight situations and force you to compete in circumstances that you could face later in the season,” said Fields. “It was a good team effort. We took a big step forward. I know it’s a preseason game, but a win is a win.”
The Knighthawks never trailed until 12:19 of the fourth quarter, when the FireWolves strung together a pair of goals to pull ahead by one. That’s when the former MVP went to work, setting up a goal by Zed Williams with 51 seconds to play and then bouncing a shot past Doug Jamieson in the final seconds.
Oshawa’s Alex Simmons had a chance to send the game to overtime, but Hutchison got his shoulder on a shot from just outside the crease to preserve the win. Hutchison earned the win in goal with 19 saves, while Rylan Hartley turned aside 15 shots as well, as they split time in goal.
“I think we got a lot better this weekend,” said Knighthawks Head Coach Troy Cordingley. “Our compete level was through the roof for the most part. Our defense and goaltending were dialed in. It’s a good team over there. In this league it’s going to be a one-goal game every game, and tonight we were fortunate to get the last one.”
The debuts of Callum Jones and Brent Noseworthy bolstered Rochester’s defense. Both players were acquired in the dispersal draft and have been standouts in training camp. Fields, for one, was excited to have Jones as a teammate.
“He’s such a talent, I mean he’s the defensive player of the year for a reason, and we’re really lucky to have him,” Fields said. “He’s a phenomenal player; he’s a phenomenal leader. I feel like he commands respect out there, plays physical, and sets a tone for not only our defense but for us up front too. Having a guy like that who can lock opponents down but also plays 100 percent all the time. I’m so happy he’s on our side. Playing against him these last couple of years, I felt like he was the toughest matchup in the league.”
Rochester showcased its improved defense in the first quarter, shutting out the FireWolves and limiting the Oshawa offense to just six shots in the first 15 minutes. Meanwhile, the Rochester offense scored three times, including two by Thomas McConvey.
It was a balanced offensive effort that powered the Knighthawks, with Fields leading the way with two goals and four assists. McConvey and Ryan Smith each netted two goals and added one helper. Williams also scored once and dished out two assists.
Rookie Finn Thomson posted one goal and three assists and continued to impress, now with nine points in the preseason. His lone goal came at 10:38 of the second as the Knighthawks pulled in front 5-2. The FireWolves answered with two goals to cut the deficit to 5-4 before halftime.
The rest of the game featured four ties as Rochester clung to a one-goal lead heading into the final quarter. Smith’s second goal of the second half gave Rochester a 7-6 advantage at 6:01 of the fourth. Oshawa responded with a goal by Ethan Walker at 10:31 and a transition marker by Dyson Williams at 12:19 to take an 8-7 lead.
The Knighthawks, however, never quit, and Zed Williams and Fields scored 49 seconds apart to give Rochester a late 9-8 lead. The veteran Williams put the win in perspective after the game.
“It’s exciting we got the win, and I’m excited we came together at the end to accomplish a win. But we have to continue to grow,” he said. “I feel like we have a great group that cares about each other, but at the end of the day last year wasn’t good enough. We have to win. It’s going to be a lot of fun because we all have the same mindset and are buying into that.”
After this weekend, the Knighthawks will play their final preseason game on Saturday, Nov. 21, at the Gil Lay Arena in Irving, NY, on the Cattaraugus Territory. The Knighthawks will host the San Diego Seals at 7 p.m. Admission is free with the donation of a canned good benefiting the Family Support Services of The Seneca Nation Human Services Division. The event also includes a postgame autograph session.
Before the game, fans can stop by Sunset Bay Restaurant (954 Main Rd, Irving, NY 14081) for half-priced appetizers from 5 to 7 p.m.
The Knighthawks open their regular-season schedule on Saturday, Nov. 28, when they host the Halifax Thunderbirds at 7 p.m. at Segar & Sciortino Field at The Blue Cross Arena. Single-game tickets are available at The Blue Cross Arena Box Office, online under tickets, or by phone at 585-400-HAWK (4295).