For the first time this season, the Rochester Knighthawks have fallen out of first place in the Eastern Conference standings following a Week 10 loss to the Buffalo Bandits.
Unfortunately, the Knighthawks suffered a loss to the now first-place Bandits despite impactful performances from forwards Ryan Smith and Connor Fields, who combined for 13 points in the 13-10 defeat. This week’s matchup against Halifax is going to be a game where the Knighthawks need to reset and get back to the process.
We take a look at it all with Knighthawks general manager Dan Carey in this week’s edition of Hawk Talk.
WEATHERING THE STORM
On Saturday night at KeyBank Center, the Knighthawks carried a 5-4 lead into halftime only to see it slip away on the heels of a second-half surge by Buffalo. The Bandits erupted for seven third-quarter goals on their way to handing the Knighthawks their second straight loss after beginning the season with a franchise record six consecutive wins.
Carey feels the third quarter was inevitably what stumped the Knighthawks in their second loss of the season.
BUFFALO, NY – February 4th, 2023 : NLL regular season game action between the Rochester Knighthawks and Buffalo Bandits at KeyBank Center in Buffalo, NY
“They’re (Buffalo) one of the best teams in the league and tough to play against. We had some success early on but knowing that lead against them isn’t going to be something that you’re going to be able to keep. So, I think we kind of weathered the storm in the first half and I thought we played well and we kind of fell apart in the third. That was really the story of that game was that third quarter.”
THE SMITH-FIELDS CONNECTION IS REAL
The connection between Fields and Smith is real out on the floor right now. On Friday alone, the pair connected on four of their six tallies they combined for against the Bandits.
“They’re both creative players,” started Carey when asked about the connection that Fields and Smith have. “They both have very good vision and a lot of skill. They’re both players that really, are training hard throughout the week and they’re ready to play.”
BUFFALO, NY – February 4th, 2023 : NLL regular season game action between the Rochester Knighthawks and Buffalo Bandits at KeyBank Center in Buffalo, NY
Both Fields and Smith are in the tops in all offensive categories when it comes to the Knighthawks 2022-23 roster.
Fields leads the team with his 46 points and 24 goals, while his 22 assists are tied for second. Smith is tied for second on the team with 39 points, third in goals (17) and first in assists (23). Not to forget that the Knighthawks have registered 15 power-play markers on the season, in which the duo has combined for nine.
BUFFALO, NY – February 4th, 2023 : NLL regular season game action between the Rochester Knighthawks and Buffalo Bandits at KeyBank Center in Buffalo, NY
“We’ve seen their success this season and a big part of that is their preparation,” continued Carey when talking about the Knighthawks offensive duo in Fields and Smith. “Them connecting is a big part of that (preparation) as well as the work that they put in throughout the week and knowing that they’re going to have the ball on their stick because those guys are always ready. They’re gamers.”
NOT UNDERESTIMATING HALIFAX
Just like we said going into Rochester’s Jan. 27 matchup against the Halifax Thunderbirds, they’re a team that can get back on track on any given night. Unfortunately, the fourth place Thunderbirds got back on track that night with a 17-7 win over Rochester.
However, this week it’s Rochester’s opportunity to flip the script on this rivalry as they look to get their first-ever franchise win over Halifax.
“I think they (Thunderbirds) are a very tough matchup against anybody,” said Carey when asked about the matchup this Saturday night at Segar & Scriotino Field.
Halifax, Nova Scotia – Jan 27, 2023: National Lacrosse League game between the Halifax Thunderbirds and Rochester Knighthawks at the Scotiabank Center in Halifax, Nova Scotia. (Trevor MacMillan/Halifax Thunderbirds)
With a 4-4 overall record, the Thunderbirds are led offensively by four forwards who are all over the 30-point mark on the season in Randy Staats, Clarke Petterson, Cody Jamieson and Ryan Benesch. Between the pipes, goaltenders Warren Hill and Drew Hutchison have split time in all eight games for Halifax this season, while Hill has helped lift the team to three wins on the year in the 334 minutes he’s played.
The Thunderbirds biggest weapon, though, just happens to be the guy who takes a majority of the team’s face-offs in defenseman Jake Withers. Withers has gone 189-for-228 on face-offs this season and leads the league with 121 loose ball recoveries.
“Jake Withers is a guy that is, arguably, the best face-off guy in our league. He’s really tough to play against in a lot of different ways. So, that gives them momentum and energy,” stated Carey when asked what enables Halifax to go off on any given night.
Halifax, Nova Scotia – Jan 27, 2023: National Lacrosse League game between the Halifax Thunderbirds and Rochester Knighthawks at the Scotiabank Center in Halifax, Nova Scotia. (Trevor MacMillan/Halifax Thunderbirds)
Carey then finished with, “It’ll be a tough matchup but, again, we have to focus on what has made us successful, what will continue to make us successful. That’s our game plan and our process.”
The Knighthawks return home this Saturday, Feb. 11 when as they host the Thunderbirds for the only time this season at Segar & Sciortino Field at The Blue Cross Arena. Opening face-off is slated for 7:00 p.m. and will be carried live on Big 107.3 FM as well as ESPN+.