Rochester Beats Wings for Final Playoff Spot
from press release
ROCHESTER, N.Y. - In a do-or-die game for the
final playoff berth, the Rochester Knighthawks defeated the
Philadelphia Wings 11-8 on Saturday night at Blue Cross Arena.
Rochester clinches the fourth and final playoff berth in the East
Division. Philadelphia is eliminated from playoff contention on the
final night of the regular season.
Rochester secured the final playoff spot even though they share the
same record as Philadelphia, due to having a better winning
percentage versus East Division opponents. The Knighthawks face New
York in a Divisional Semifinal playoff game on the weekend of May
1st.
"We just could not get it going in the second half, Rochester
played a great game," said Head Coach Dave Huntley.
Rochester opened the scoring with a shorthanded goal, but Merrick
Thomson responded just as the penalty expired to tie the game.
Former Wings legend Gary Gait added a goal late in the quarter to
give the Knighthawks a 2-1 lead at the end of one.
The teams continued to battle in the second quarter, but it was the
Wings who managed a slight edge. Athan Iannucci scored three second
quarter goals to help give his team the advantage. Two Rochester
scores had the teams knotted at four, but with three seconds
remaining the half the Wings pulled Rob Blasdell for an extra
attacker and Mat Giles scored the go ahead goal. Philadelphia took
a one goal lead into the locker room with the score 5-4.
Rochester took over in the third quarter. Despite a Wings goal just
33 seconds into the second half, Rochester rebounded and scored
four straight from four different Knighthawks. Rochester goalie Pat
O'Toole made 10 saves on 11 shots and his team held an 8-6 lead
going into the final quarter of play.
The Knighthawks increased their scoring streak to six straight to
start the fourth quarter. The Wings were finally able to get on the
board behind two consecutive goals by Mat Giles, but they were the
final two goals for Philadelphia on the night. O'Toole stopped 46
of 54 shots overall and only allowed three Wings goals in the
second half and was the game's MVP.
