Tired K-hawks stumble in opener vs. Wings




By JEFF DiVERONICA
STAFF WRITER


(December 28, 2003) — The two-week strike earlier this month by the
National Lacrosse League players put every team at a competitive
disadvantage because players didn't practice together.

But Saturday night it sure looked like it hurt the Rochester
Knighthawks a lot more than the Philadelphia Wings, who flew around
Blue Cross Arena at the War Memorial and left with a 13-7 victory in
the season opener for both teams.

"They're a fitter team than we are right now and that's pretty
obvious," said Knighthawks coach Paul Day, whose team practiced only
three times since the strike was settled on Dec. 18. "They out-loose-
balled us. They out-worked us. They out-everythinged us. It doesn't
matter how hard you work. If you're not in shape you're not gonna get
there.

"We had two weeks off, but so did (Philadelphia)."

Rochester, which fell to 6-4 in openers, actually led 79-66 in loose
balls, 14-10 in faceoffs won and 68-49 in shots. The difference was
Philadelphia goalie Dallas Eliuk, who made 29 of his 46 saves in the
first three periods, and the huge hole the K-hawks dug for
themselves, as they did in last year's title game, which they lost 8-
6 to Toronto.

Rochester fell behind by the same 5-0 score and came all the way
back. It pulled within two goals twice in the second half when star
forward John Grant (four goals, two assists) found a few openings,
but Philadelphia outscored Rochester 4-1 in a span of 2:10 midway
through the fourth period to seal the deal.

"From myself out to everyone (else), we had breakdowns and if
everyone has one breakdown you have 15 guys on the floor, that's 15
goals. I think that's what happened tonight," said K-hawks goalie Pat
O'Toole (27 saves), who was far from razor sharp but also saw his
defenders get beat a few times by quick-cutting Wings. "Philadelphia
played well. They came out, hustled. Every time we made a mental
mistake they capitalized and scored."

Philly's first two goals came on power plays, and it led 5-0 after 12
minutes. Indoor veteran Tom Marechek led the Wings with two goals and
four assists, while Tony Henderson, Ryan Ward, Keith Cromwell and
Jake Bergey, the former Rochester Rattlers outdoor player, each added
two goals.

"We didn't know what to expect either (because of the strike),"
Marechek said. "But I knew from everybody's emotion before the game
that we looked ready."