A pair of three-goal runs by the San Diego Seals (2-1) proved to be the difference as the Rochester Knighthawks (3-1) suffered their first loss of the season in a 17-14 setback Friday night at Pechanga Arena.
Tonight’s matchup marked the lone meeting of the season between the two teams and just the second all-time after the Knighthawks dropped the only previous get-together with the Seals during their inaugural campaign in 2019-20.
Ryan Smith (3+2) and Ryan Lanchbury (2+3) led the Knighthawks offense as they each totaled five points while Connor Fields (3+1) and Thomas McConvey (3+1) both tallied hat tricks. Kyle Waters (1+3), Matt Gilray (1+2) and Austin Hasen (0+2) all had multi-assist outings. Mitch Oglivie completed the scoring while Pent Eistrat, who made his pro debut, and Dan Lomas each logged a helper.
Riley Hutchcraft (2-0) made his first start of the season and appeared in his fourth game overall. He finished the contest with 37 saves, which included 13 and 10 in the third and fourth quarter, respectively.
Wesley Berg (3+5), Austin Staats (3+4) and Curtis Dickson (3+1) all registered three goals as part of multi-point performances for San Diego, which improved to 2-1 on the campaign.
🚨 FIELDSY x3!
17-13, San Diego | Q4, 1:29 remaining pic.twitter.com/krBgdyrhbV
— Rochester Knighthawks (@RocKnighthawks) December 30, 2023
Netminder Christopher Origlieri upped his record to 2-1 on the slate as he stopped 43 of the 57 shots he faced. Origlieri made 12 saves in the first quarter before having 16 in the final 15 minutes of the contest.
The Seals, who held a 10-8 lead at the half, used a 4-1 run to take a five-goal lead in the third quarter. Leclaire opened the scoring in the frame before he and Staats sandwiched Waters’ tally with 9:10 left in the stanza.
🚨 LANCHBURY FOR 🔟!
14-10, San Diego | Q3, 2.8 seconds remaining pic.twitter.com/WVmfcD7V8G
— Rochester Knighthawks (@RocKnighthawks) December 30, 2023
Lanchbury brought the score to 14-10 with Rochester’s third power-play goal of the night.
The two clubs went goal for goal twice in the final quarter before Dobbie tallied back-to-back goals 30 seconds apart.
🚨 K-DUB TO THE CORNER!
12-9, San Diego | Q3, 9:10 remaining pic.twitter.com/zg2xbr7tvE
— Rochester Knighthawks (@RocKnighthawks) December 30, 2023
The Knighthawks tried for some late magic as Fields and Smith made it a three-goal deficit before the time would run out.
Both teams scored four goals in the opening quarter only to have the Seals use a 4-1 run to grab an 8-5 cushion with just over five minutes to play. They alternated goals to conclude the first half.
LOMAS TO LANCHBURY TO THE BACK OF THE NET 🚨
9-7, San Diego | Q2, 2:57 remaining pic.twitter.com/zKmczU7iYw
— Rochester Knighthawks (@RocKnighthawks) December 30, 2023
Over the final 30 minutes, San Diego narrowly outscored Rochester 7-6 to earn the 17-14 score.
🚨 TMAC TIES IT UP ON THE POWER PLAY! 🤝
3-3 | Q1, 6:22 remaining pic.twitter.com/UjEI6QY1Ak
— Rochester Knighthawks (@RocKnighthawks) December 30, 2023
The Knighthawks return home looking to return to the win column on Saturday, Jan. 13 when they welcome the defending NLL champion Buffalo Bandits to Segar and Sciortino Field at The Blue Cross Arena at 7:00 p.m. ET. All the action will be carried live on Big 107.3 FM as well as ESPN+.