Midfielder Dave Lawson scored five goals, including the game tying tally with 5:14 remaining in the game, while short stick defender Steve DeNapoli buried the go-ahead goal a minute later. Rochester would hold on to win 13-12 over New York at Shuart Stadium. With the win, the Rattlers remain in playoff contention, eliminating the Lizards in the process.
Lawson proved difficult to stop from the start. John Ranagan struck first before Lawson and Tom Montelli gave the Rattlers a 3-0 lead in the first quarter. Stephen Peyser and David Earl got New York on the board halfway through the quarter before Lawson struck again. The Duke graduate pumped in three goals in the first quarter, including back-to-back strikes to give Rochester a 5-2 lead before the quarter ended.
The second quarter only featured three goals: a wrap around from Rob Pannell, Earl’s second of the day, and Kyle Denhoff’s tally giving Rochester a 6-4 lead entering halftime. New York had many chances in the first half but goaltender John Galloway made 10 saves to stem the tide. Face-off expert Greg Gurenlian controlled the draws winning 9-of-12 in the first half.
Lawson opened up the third quarter by beating his defender down low and depositing his fourth of the night. Denhoff followed with his second goal of the night off a left-alley drive to give the Rattlers an 8-4 lead. Earl retaliated, completing his first hat trick of the season. Stephen Mock scored his first of the game with Pannell picking up the assist. Jordan Macintosh put one home for Rochester before Mock and Palasek scored twice in the final minute to close the deficit to 9-8 at the end of the third. Palasek & Peyser added assists to both tallies.
An exciting fourth quarter took place with both teams leaving everything on the field. Joel White opened up the final frame with a goal thanks to Ned Crotty. Pannell and DeNapoli traded goals to make it 11-9. New York would go on a three goal run started by CJ Costabile who scored off the face-off. Pannell’s third of the day tied it at 11 before Palasek dove from goal line extended to put New York up 12-11.Lawson would score his fifth and final goal of the night late to tie the game. DeNapoli took a feed from Crotty to put the Rattlers ahead for good.
New York goaltender Drew Adams made a point-blank save on a Rochester man-up opportunity to give the Lizards the ball with 1:08 remaining in the game. A costly turnover allowed Rochester to get the ball back and waste the clock, keeping the Rattlers in the hunt for a playoff spot.
