Backup J. J. Pearl didn't expect to be in goal for Baltimore during yesterday's rematch with the Rochester Knighthawks -- especially as early as the first quarter.
Playing behind Ted Sawicki, the Major Indoor Lacrosse League's top-rated goalie, Pearl has accepted his role as the Thunder's on-call keeper.
However, when Sawicki was helped off the field with a pulled hamstring late in the first quarter, Pearl entered. He made 20 saves and lifted the Thunder to a 14-10 victory before 5,684 at Baltimore Arena.
The win was the third straight for the Thunder and avenged a 16-13 early-season loss to Rochester.
"We were leaving Ted hanging out to dry in the first quarter, and when I came in, I don't know if my teammates thought they had to pick it up some because I wasn't warm, but they did," said Pearl, who also picked up two assists. "It seemed like everyone picked up the intensity a little bit and we really tightened up."
Tim Hormes, who led the Thunder with a career-high four goalssaid he never doubted Pearl's ability to stop Rochester or its star player, Paul Gait, who was held to two assists.
"We have great faith in J. J. because he's done it before," said Hormes, a 6-foot forward out of Washington College. "Teddy [Sawicki] was having a tough time in there at the start, and we knew J. J. could do well. He made some big saves, and it really gave our offense a boost."
Jeff Wills provided all the scoring for Baltimore in the first quarter, which ended with Rochester (2-3) ahead 6-2. Wills' third and final goal pulled the Thunder back to within two with 6:11 remaining in the first half.
A pair of unassisted goals by Hormes and Rob Shek gave the Thunder four unanswered goals and tied the game at the half, 7-7.
"I wasn't worried when we were down 6-2 because I know how this game flows," said Thunder coach Skip Lichtfuss. "We know that the first 30 minutes of the game is going to be a one- or two-goal game because teams are still feeling each other out."
The Thunder (3-2) took its first lead 27 seconds into the third quarter when Lindsay Dixon scored on a double-feed from Adam Mueller and Mark Millon to make it 8-7.
Rochester, the MILL's newest team, regained the lead with 5:51 left in the third before Hormes tied it with a short-handed goal. Brian Kroneberger then put the hosts up for good on a feed from Pearl.
If Baltimore and Rochester end the regular season tied for the fourth and final playoff spot, the Thunder would win on the tie-breaking rule that first looks at head-to-head competition and then goal differential. Since Rochester beat Baltimore, 16-13, yesterday's four-goal win would put Baltimore in the playoffs.