Las Vegas Knights vs. Los Angeles Bolts: January 9, 2010 Garden Grove Arena.
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21 January 2010
The Knights faced a full squad in Garden Grove. Sluggish from the long trip, the Knights struggled to find form early in the match. Knights Goalkeeper, Philip Webb, was called into action early in the first quarter to make several saves to keep the 0-0 score line. Towards the end of the first quarter, the Knights made some adjustments in the back and found their form, regaining control in the midfield and pressing the LA net. As a result, Bernie's Bolts allowed the Knights to go on a power play and the Knights took advantage opening the scoring with a brilliant shot by Lucho Suarez to the lower right hand corner; 1-0 Knights. The Bolts answered back quickly, with a breaking run down the right side of the field, beating Knights defender Josh Copeland with a play off the wall and beating goalkeeper Philip Webb one on one to even the score.
The Knights pulled away early in the second quarter and never looked back with a brilliant through ball from Derik van Gessel, and a strong finish from rookie Rudy Rodriguez. With strong defending from the back by veterans Mitch Jenkins, Travis Norberg, and Josh Copeland; the Knights continued feeding the midfield, allowing the forwards to press the LA defense. The Knights 3rd goal of the game came on another power play in which Josh Copeland fired from the outside past the LA goalkeeper, making it 3-1. Esad Morina made it four on the day with his clever finish of a rebound off the boards. The Knights ended the second quarter with a layoff from Esad Morina to Travis Norberg, who blasted a rocket into the low left hand corner from outside the box, ending half time scoring 5-1.
Early in the 3rd quarter, LA regrouped and made some aggressive play forward. Knights goalkeeper, Philip Webb, who was having a strong game in the net was beaten for only the second time, as LA pulled one back with a swinging shot to the top left corner. However the Knights responded quickly as strong performances in the midfield from Rene Abrego, Derik van Gessel, and Berto Garcia produced several shots that provided the opportunity for Esad Morina to volley home number 6 for the visiting team.
The Bolts came out in the fourth quarter continuing to fight their way back into the game by quickly scoring their 3rd goal on the day off a screened shot, beating Knights keeper, Philip Webb. The Knights struggled defensively in the 3rd, allowing LA another goal off a corner kick, making it 6-4. They almost had another when goal keeper Philip Webb saved a point blank shot that fell back to the feet of the LA forward; the ball was quickly played back on target, only to be saved off the line by Derik van Gessel.
Late in the fourth quarter, the Knights squashed any chance of a comeback, when Itzik Rapaport scored in the top right hand corner, reestablishing the 3 goal lead. LA continued to press forward, but a quick release from the back by Travis Norberg sent Rudy Rodriguez on a breakaway towards the LA net. The Bolts defender, seeing that it would be a clear goal, brought down Rudy setting up a shoot-out penalty, which was smoothly finished by Travis Norberg.
LA managed to pull a goal back in the last minute from a deflection to the low left corner, but it was too late as time expired. Overall the game was well played, fast paced and entertaining for all.
Final score; Bolts 5 Knights 8.
