Secore Caps Edmonton Rally in Overtime
from press release
ROCHESTER, N.Y. -- Andy Secore’s goal 20
seconds into overtime capped a four-goal rally to lead the Edmonton
Rush over the Rochester Knighthawks tonight at The Blue Cross
Arena. The loss was the first at home for the Knighthawks this
season and denied Rochester (5-4) a chance to overtake the Toronto
Rock (6-4) for first place in the East Division.
Rochester was led by four points from Shawn Evans (2+2) and
three-point efforts from Craig Point (3+0), John Grant Jr. (2+1),
Shawn Williams (2+1), Chris Schiller (0+3) and Steve Toll. Goalie
Pat O’Toole made 33 saves to move within 33 of Dallas
Eliuk’s league saves record of 6,356.
The Rush got four points from Gavin Prout (1+3) and Ryan Ward, and
a three-goal performance from Secore. Matt Disher stopped 37 shots
to earn the victory. Edmonton won for the second straight week and
improved to 5-3. The Rush are one-half game behind first-place
Washington (6-3).
The Knighthawks jumped out to a 2-1 first-quarter lead on goals by
Grant and Point. Edmonton responded with a Small's first of the
game, which evened the game at one. After Point made it 2-1,
Rochester scored four of the next five goals. Williams made it 4-2
and then Chris Driscoll scored his first goal as a Knighthawk this
season to extend the advantage to 4-1 at 6:58 of the second. Small
scored from the left-wing side to inch Edmonton to within 4-2, but
the K-Hawks bounced back with tallies from Williams and Grant to
make it 6-2 at half. Grant's goal was shorthanded and off a pretty
behind-the-back shot past Disher.
The second half appeared to be headed Rochester’s way as they
built leads of 8-4 and 9-5. Edmonton, however, kept the game close
and notched six goals in the third quarter to close the gap to
10-8. Jimmy Quinlan and Secore keyed the rally with two goals
each.
Rochester responded with a goal at 2:13 of the fourth to make it
11-8 as Evans scored his second of the night. The Rush took control
of the game with three straight goals to force OT. Dane Stevens
beat O’Toole to cut the lead to 11-9 and Brodie Merrill
capitalized on the power play to make it 11-10. Ward then tied the
contest at 11 with a goal with 4:03 to play.
In overtime, Stevens raced in the right-hand side and fed a
streaking Secore who beat O’Toole to the far post for the
game-winner.
With the 23 goals scored, Knighthawks Owner and General Manager
Curt Styres donated $23,000 from Arrow Express Sports on behalf of
the Rochester Knighthawks to Jim Moss. Jim, along with his parents
Ron and Connie, accepted the check from Styres and the entire team
after the game. Moss, 32, has played in the NLL for seven seasons
(2001-07) and was the 2003 NLL Defender of the Year. Jim and his
wife, Jennifer, are the parents of two children. Jim and has his
family are currently involved in the toughest fight of his life.
Jim is battling against Guillain-Barre Syndrome, which is an
illness that has left Jim with paralysis in his legs, and loss of
sensation in his hands.
The Knighthawks also raised $2,455 in their Third Annual Teddy Bear
Auction to benefit CURE Childhood Cancer Association.
Rochester returns to action and hosts the Orlando Titans at 7:35
p.m. at The Blue Cross Arena on Saturday, March 13th. The game will
be broadcast live on The Zone 94.1 FM and thezone941.com. Fans can
also catch all the action on the NLL.com.
