A strong Rochester lineup played a strong game. Harvard Stadium was a muggy mass of waterlogged concrete, and despite the outcome for the 6,122 local, vocal, and loyal fans, the Rattlers put on a show for all to enjoy. Bud Light MVP Joe Walters led the Rattlers with five goals. Rochester’s face-off man Alex Smith and Brodie Merrill created more opportunities off ground possession.

Cannons defender Chris Passavia matched up against John Grant, Jr. Boston’s team captain went to work on Grant, Jr. getting early, hard, and loud hits on the league’s leading scorer. Grant, Jr. contributed for two goals and two assists while his teammate, Bud Light MVP Joe Walters, banked five goals and Casey Powell scored once and dished out four assists. Rochester advances to 7-2 while Boston drops to an unfortunate 4-6 finish.

If big hits and triple teams are defenders’ most sincere form of flattery, than John Grant Jr. was the most popular guy at Harvard Stadium. Grant drew rough triples at times freeing up other capable members of the attack. Despite Boston’s best defensive efforts, there were too many assignments to cover. The game was physical. Both sides combined for nearly 15 penalties, but it was Rochester that was able to move the ball well under pressure. Alex Smith’s skill and quickness at the face- off x was difficult to challenge. The pain was more acute for Boston with their leading face-off man was out sick. Walters led a mini Team Canada franchise whose stick handling and chemistry was a limiting factor for Boston. Boston’s John Christmas led the offense with four goals and an assist.

The first period score was a close 4-3, but in the end Rochester out-shot Boston 32-25 and out-hustled the Cannons on the ground 34-27. Gavin Prout scored the first goal with an overhand shot going upper left off a feed from Casey Powell. Grant posted up against Passavia on the inside for a behind-the-back that hit the lower right corner. The Cannons responded with a pair of goals. Zummo went lefty off the split dodge finishing with the bouncer. Mucciolo got the equalizer with a shot on the run.

The Cannons went up 3-2 off an EMO-goal from Christmas. Zummo set up Christmas for the quickstick in the air high. Rochester scored the next two goals from Walters and Spillett. Rochester went on to win the second period 4-1. Boston’s only goal came from M. Powell. Walters found the back of the net first going lefty underhand off the ISO hitting inside pipe. Jeff Zywicki scored with Canadian delivery on a righty stickside bouncer. M. Powell cut the lead by two with a fake taking Merrill 1v1 and shooting low. On the other end, C. Powell set up the next and last goals from Zywicki and Prout.

Rochester led Boston 8-4 going into the second half. The third period got off to a sloppy start for both teams. C. Powell scored his first and only goal of the game. Grant gave Powell the leading pass off the double pick setting up the lower right corner goal. M. Powell responded by beating Jack Reid on the run going righty with the stickside pipe overhand bouncer.

Rochester went up by six. Spillett assisted Walters on a lefty sidearm screened crank beating Jake Coon high. The Cannons misjudged and did not communicate about an in coming player from the box giving up the substitution goal from Amidon off a pass from Spack. M. Powell managed the backhanded pass to Poskay who tore up the upper left corner for the EMO-goal. Grant used the head fake on the goal line extended beating Coon (12-6). Christmas scored the last goal of the period on a sweep running lefty for the high shot.

The final quarter was the most prolific trading goals and combining for 9 points. Rochester scored within the first minute with a goal from Prout off a pass from Grant. Coon moved early going stickside and Prout shot right in the center of the net. Christmas responded using his defender as a screen shooting off his hip. The two teams exchanged goals getting points from Walters (2), Zywicki, Spillett for Rochester and Poskay, Zummo, and Christmas for Boston. Tempers flared in the fourth. In a scuffle for a looseball, Rochester’s Shiller went down on the ground raking the ball in his stick with his hand and soon after while the ball was in play Schiller and Bucktooth locked horns. Bucktooth got the one-minute unsportsmanlike conduct penalty. Schiller was hit with the one and five-minute unsportsmanlike conduct call.

Rochester leads the Eastern Conference with Boston in second to last place over New Jersey. Boston will meet Long Island next while Rochester will face up against the Machine.

Boston Cannons vs. Rochester Rattlers

Boston Cannons

11

Scoring

Saves

Current Record
Boston Cannons	3-5

Rochester Rattlers

17

Scoring

Saves

Current Record
Rochester Rattlers	4-2