The Rochester Knighthawks fell in the final seconds to the Buffalo Bandits tonight, losing 14-13 at The Blue Cross Arena. Tracey Kelusky netted the game winner at 14:48 to give Buffalo the victory. (Photos by Ward Laforme Jr.)

Rochester, who raised its Championship banner before the game, led 13-12 with 4:35 to play as Stephen Keogh completed the hat trick off a no-look pass from Casey Powell. Keogh finished with five points, while Powell ended the game with six points (2+4) in his first game back with the Knighthawks since the 2000 season.

Buffalo was led by former Knighthawk Shawn Williams, who notched two goals and six assists. Mike Hominuck registered three goals, while Aaron Wilson and Dhane Smith each recorded two goals and two assists apiece. Anthony Cosmo made 34 saves for his first win of the season.

Buffalo jumped out to a 3-0 lead to open the game, but Rochester battled back to tie the contest with two seconds left in the first on a goal by Johnny Powless. The second quarter ended the same as the first with Rochester scoring a marker with four seconds left by Powell. 

In the third, his assist to Dan Dawson was the 600th point of his NLL career. Dawson’s first goal as a Knighthawk at 7:57 gave Rochester a 9-8 lead. The game went back-and-forth with the Knighthawks taking an 11-10 lead into the fourth on Joe Walters’ goal at 13:12.

Buffalo battled back in the fourth to tie Rochester three times. Chad Culp tied the contest at 13 with a goal with 1:55 to play. That set the stage for a crazy final minute. After Powell was stopped by Cosmo, Buffalo appeared to be stopped but Kelusky scooped up the ball and fired a behind-the-ball shot that beat Vinc for a 14-13 lead. Rochester had a chance with 3.4 seconds to play but failed to beat Cosmo. 

The Knighthawks will host the Toronto Rock on Saturday, January 26th at 7:30 p.m. at The Blue Cross Arena. Fans can catch the game on Sportsradio 950 ESPN and online at www.sportsradio950.com. The game will also be televised live on the Time Warner Cable Sports Channel.