Thunderbirds win big road contest against Knighthawks
Mar 31, 2024
(ROCHESTER, NY) March 30, 2024 – The Halifax Thunderbirds came out of Blue Cross Arena victorious on Saturday night, beating the Rochester Knighthawks 12-9.
It was an efficient night for the Thunderbirds' offence, who got a seven-point outing from Ryan Benesch (2G, 5A), and six-point nights from Clarke Petterson (2G, 4A), Dawson Theede (3G, 3A), and Cody Jamieson (3G, 3A).
Warren Hill was also as steady as ever in the cage for Halifax, posting a season-high 45-save performance to earn his eighth victory of the year.
The Thunderbirds opened the game strong, getting the opening goal of the contest from Aaron Woods. After the two teams traded goals, the game was tied at two with just over a minute to go in the first quarter. But Jamieson got his first of the night on the power play and Dawson Theede followed up with seven seconds left, burying a quick-stick pass from Petterson to put Halifax ahead 4-2 after 15 minutes.
Heading into the half, it was the home team that started to turn the tide. Rochester rallied to open the second, scoring three straight from the sticks of Thomas McConvey and Connor Fields.
But in the final five minutes of the frame, Halifax answered back. Jamieson got his second after rolling over the top of a pick and firing a low shot past Riley Hutchcraft. Fields made it 6-5 for the Knighthawks, but Benesch scored his first of the night off an outside rip of his own on the power play. The game went into the half knotted at six.
The third quarter was the big turning point in this contest, as Halifax came out of the half on a mission. Theede started things off with a hard bouncer that beat Hutchcraft through the five-hole. Then, it was back-to-back markers from Clarke Petterson. The righty dropped an outside shot on the run before finding the back of the net again in transition just under two minutes later.
Turner Evans got Rochester’s lone goal of the third, but Jamieson capped off his hat trick while Woods stung a short-side shot to put Halifax up 11-7 heading into the final frame.
Halifax was able to maintain their lead in the fourth, holding Rochester to just a pair of goals while getting an insurance marker from Benesch on the Power Play. That goal was another milestone setter for Benesch, who surpassed Dan Dawson for fourth all-time in goals with his 552nd career tally.
Hill and the Thunderbirds’ defence were able to turn away the late chances to seal the 12-9 win.
Halifax moves to 9-7 for the year with the victory. They’ll wrap up their road trip next weekend when they head West on Apr 5 to face the Vancouver Warriors at Rogers Arena. Opening face-off is at 11:00 p.m. AT.