The Rochester Knighthawks beat the Saskatchewan Rush 16-14 in Saskatoon on Saturday night, improving to 2-0 on the season.
The Knighthawks improved in the NLL Power Rankings this week, rising from seventh to fifth place after the Week 2 win. The Knighthawks also surpassed the Calgary Roughnecks, who they defeated in Week 1.
While Adam Levi, who adjusted this week’s rankings, is not sure if Rochester is an NLL Cup contender just yet, we “do know they are never out of a ball game.” He praised the two weeks of dominant second halves for the Hawks.
Seven different Rochester players contributed to the eight second-half goals, from all positions on the field. The versatile offensive attack proved too much for the Rush to overcome.
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CONNOR FIELDS HONORED
Forward Connor Fields, in his second season with Rochester, is off to a hot start. After tallying four goals and two assists during Week 1, the Buffalo native added another four goals and seven assists in the Week 2 match-up against the Rush. His 11 points set the single-game franchise record, surpassing the 10 he set last season on multiple occasions.
His 17 points through two weeks puts him at the top of the league, and his eight goals so far ties him for first place in goal-scoring with Panther City’s Callum Crawford. Fields sits in second league-wide for assists, trailing Calgary’s Jesse King and tied with Philadelphia’s Mitch Jones. His 33 shots on goal also lead the league.
Fields was named the Gatorade Canada Player of the Week by the NLL and his behind-the-net goal was featured as the No. 1 Play of the Week.
MCCONVEY ON THE BOARD
The Knighthawks’ first-overall pick in the 2022 NLL Draft, forward Thomas McConvey, scored his first NLL goal on Saturday night in the second quarter in Saskatchewan. He then scored his second NLL goal in the third quarter. And his third in the fourth.
The rookie’s first career NLL hat trick contributed to a well-rounded offense for the Knighthawks, and is hopefully the first of many multi-goal games for McConvey.
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HUTCHCRAFT GETS ANOTHER
After his first career NLL win during Opening Weekend, goaltender Riley Hutchcraft tallied his second win in Week 2 after getting the starting nod against the Rush. Hutchcraft made 36 saves en route to the victory and held the Rush scoreless on two power-plays.
He is one of two goaltenders to earn two wins through the first two weeks of the season, joining Albany’s Doug Jamieson.
LET’S FACE IT
Named the Player of the Game by his teammates, transition player Joe Post was unstoppable on Saturday night at the face-off X. The Canandaigua native won a franchise record 24 face-offs and recovered a game-high 17 loose balls during the contest.
Post, who enters his first full NLL season this year, leads the league with 27 loose ball recoveries through two weeks. Faceoff wins was something Rochester general manager Dan Carey wanted to address in the offseason, and so far, Post has been a great option for the Knighthawks.
Tonight’s Player of the Game: JOE POST 🔥 pic.twitter.com/aXUIr7Zm2Q
— Rochester Knighthawks (@RocKnighthawks) December 10, 2023
OTHER GAME NOTES
Newest Knighthawk Ryan Lanchbury, who was acquired last week from the Georgia Swarm in exchange for a 2024 first round pick and a compensatory first-round pick, tallied two goals and two assists in his Rochester debut. Lanchbury, who grew up playing lacrosse with Rochester forward Ryan Smith, showed immediate chemistry with his teammates.
Knighthawks Captain Dan Coates had two assists on Saturday night — both on goals by Thomas McConvey — to reach 100 career NLL points. The defenseman has suited up for 157 career games and was named Captain this season.
Defenseman Ethan O’Connor, who signed with Rochester after winning the NLL Cup with Buffalo last season, scored his first goal as a Knighthawk this past Saturday
WEEK 3 BYE
Rochester has its first bye week of the season this weekend, and won’t return to action until Saturday, Dec. 23 at Segar & Sciortino Field at The Blue Cross Arena. The Knighthawks host the Vancouver Warriors and will be wearing Holiday Hawks jerseys for the home crowd.
Tickets are on sale now.