The New York Saints ruined the Rochester Knighthawks' 1999 debut as Jason Wulder scored with 1:22 left in regulation to give the Saints a 12-11 victory at the Blue Cross Arena.

The game started very physically, as both teams came out hitting. The goalies controlled the early action as both LoCascio and Dietrich made several spectacular saves early. The scoring began when Matt Panetta scored at 8:57 of the first period, off assists from Roy Colsey and Tim Langton. Pannetta scored again, as did Mark Millon, before Duane Jacobs registered for Rochester on the power play. The first quarter ended with New York leading, 3-1.

The opening minutes of the second quarter saw the Saints increase the lead to 5-1, as Steve Sombrotto and Millon each scored. Assisting on both goals was John Gagliardi. The Hawks came roaring back with three consecutive goals by Jeremy Hollenbeck, Brad MacArthur and Rusty Kruger. Later in the period, Eric Seremet ran over Knighthawks goalie Steve Dietrich on a breakaway and was assessed a five minute penalty, stirring up the Knighthawks. The hosts were unable to capitalize, and failed to get a shot off during the extra man. New York took advantage while a man down as Sombrotto scored to push the lead to 6-4. Mark Millon would also score before the half, giving the Saints a 7-4 lead at the break.

The third quater opened quickly as the host Knighthawks scored twice in the first two minutes on goals by Josh Sanderson and Cam Bomberry, bringing Rochester within one. Moments later, Cory Bomberry hit New York goaltender Sal LoCascio in the head with a shot, forcing LoCascio to leave the game momentarily to regain his senses. Bomberry would score moments later to tie the game at seven. New York's Darren Lowe and Rochester's Curt Malawsky traded goals to end the third period with the teams tied at eight.

New York opened the final period with a goal by Pannetta, completing his hat trick. Rochester then scored three in a row, in quick fashion, highlighted by an acrobatic goal by Duane Jacobs off a Chris Driscoll feed. LoCascio made several saves and two shots hit the pipe, or else Rochester would have blown the game wide open. New York answered with goals by Jon Hess and Millon to knot the score at eleven. The Hawks then misfired on two extra-man attempts and following a loose ball in the Rochester end, Jason Wulder scored to give the Saints a one goal cushion. Rochester had several opportunities to tie the game at twelve, including pulling goaltender Steve Dietrich, but were unable to score. The Hawks had a potential tying goal disallowed late and threw the ball away on another scoring chance.

LoCascio was named the game MVP for his 42-save performance. His opposing goalie, Dietrich, turned aside 34 shots on the night. A main reason for the Rochester loss was the poor performance of the power play unit, which was only able to manage one goal in numerous extra-man tries, and several times failed to get a shot off.

"We played really well as a team," Colsey said. "There was a lot of unity. We're not a good box team, but we hustle. Rochester is a much better at box as far as shooting and stick skills." Millon agreed, saying, "I think we came out strong."

A noticeable absence for the Hawks was first-round draft pick Casey Powell, who sat out in the midst of a contract dispute.

As the Rocket sees it, three stars to Mark Millon, two to Regy Thorpe and one to LoCascio.

BOX SUMMARY
                                  1  2  3  4     TOT
New York Saints (1-0)             3  4  1  4  --  12
Rochester Knighthawks (0-1)       1  3  4  3  --  11

NEW YORK SAINTS               ROCHESTER KNIGHTHAWKS
               G - A   PTS                   G - A  PTS
Millon         3 - 2     5    Hollenbeck     2 - 2    4
Pannetta       3 - 2     5    Ca Bomberry    1 - 2    3
S Sombrotto    2 - 3     5    Co Bomberry    1 - 2    3
Colsey         0 - 5     5    Thorpe         0 - 3    3
Langton        0 - 3     3    Jacobs         2 - 0    2
Wulder         2 - 0     2    Malawsky       2 - 0    2
Lowe           1 - 1     2    Sanderson      1 - 1    2
Gagliardi      0 - 2     2    Dietrich       0 - 2    2
Hess           1 - 0     1    Dowling        0 - 2    2
Brock          0 - 1     1    Driscoll       0 - 2    2
Fraser         0 - 1     1    McCready       0 - 2    2
LoCascio       0 - 1     1    Soudan         0 - 2    2
Purdie         0 - 1     1    Kruger         1 - 0    1
Seremet        0 - 1     1    MacArthur      1 - 0    1
V Sombrotto    0 - 1     1

Shots on goal           46    Shots on goal          53
Saves made by           42    Saves made by          34
   LoCascio                      Dietrich
   Maetche 

*** STATS OFFICIAL BY CONFIRM WITH KHAWKS OFFICIAL SITE ***

The Rochester Democrat & Chronicle contributed to this article.