Game Preview - Halifax @ Rochester
Feb 9, 2023
Following a two-game homestand, the Halifax Thunderbirds head back on the road as they take on the Rochester Knighthawks on Saturday night at Blue Cross Arena. Opening face-off is slated for 8:00 p.m. AT.
Head-to-Head
This will be the second and final regular-season meeting between the Thunderbirds and Knighthawks this year. The teams met just two weeks ago in Halifax, with the hosts coming out with a big 17-7 victory – handing the Knighthawks their first loss of the campaign in the process.
Halifax held a 9-6 advantage heading into the final frame of the game, however, an eight-goal explosion in the fourth was the deciding factor, as the Thunderbirds made a statement on home floor.
Rochester is off to a hot start this season, currently sitting at 6-2. The team has played well at home this year, and with the home crowd behind them, this game will be an interesting test for a Halifax squad looking to get back in the win column.
Scouting the Thunderbirds
Randy Staats continued his hot start to the season in the team’s last game against Calgary, potting a pair while finishing the night with five points. He leads Halifax in scoring with 31 helpers and 43 points to this point.
When Halifax last faced Rochester, the team got goals from 11 different players. The combination of Staats, Clarke Petterson (14 G, 28 A), Ryan Benesch (14 G, 21 A), and Cody Jamieson (9 G, 23 A) will all play a big factor in the outcome of this game. Chris Boushy leads the team with 19 goals while Eric Fannell has recorded a point in every game so far this season. They’ll also have a significant impact on the game.
In transition, the team has begun to find its rhythm. Jake Withers has scored in back-to-back games, while the team has also gotten goals from Ryan Terefenko, Colton Armstrong, Graeme Hossack, Trevor Smyth, and Max Wilson in the last number of games. Withers (2 G, 6 A) has continued to pull away league-wide in face-offs won (189), face-off percentage (83%), and loose balls (121).
Terefenko (4 G, 6 A) has also been the team’s most consistent transition threat while being a big part of the team’s top face-off unit alongside Withers.
Warren Hill has settled in over the last couple of games, turning away 35 shots in the team’s last game against Calgary. Hill has a sub-11 goals-against average and a .780 save percentage so far.
Scouting the Knighthawks
The Knighthawks' offence has been a hard one to slow down this season as a whole, but in Week 9, the Thunderbirds kept them at bay. Connor Fields was held to just two goals while Holden Cattoni led the way with a hat trick.
Rochester’s three biggest facilitators have been Fields (22 G, 24 A), Cattoni (18 G, 21 A), and second-year man Ryan Smith (17 G, 22 A). Fields and Cattoni work the two-man game well on the lefty side of the floor while the big-bodied Smith is able to work alongside veteran Cutis Knight (9 G, 23 A) and Thomas Hoggarth (14 G, 12 A) to produce on the right.
Opposing teams need to be aware of the transition threats posed by Matt Gilray (6 G, 7 A), Brad Gillies (2 G, 6 A), and Ryland Rees (2 G, 5 A). Each like to get out and run and can bury the ball.
The Thunderbirds were able to chase Rylan Hartley in the last meeting. The Rochester starter is extremely athletic and was able to turn away a number of Halifax chances previously with acrobatic saves. On the year, Hartley sits with an 11.04 goals-against average and a .790 save percentage.
Broadcast Info
Fans can catch the Thunderbirds in action at home on TSN Direct in Canada and ESPN+ in the United States.
Milestone Watch
Ryan Benesch needs six goals to reach 500 for his career
Cody Jamieson needs one loose ball recovery to reach 700 for his career…Needs three goals to surpass Shawn Williams for second all-time in franchise history
Clarke Petterson needs four assists to reach 100 for his career
David Brock needs two points to reach 100 for his career