LAS VEGAS (March 16, 2026) — The Las Vegas Desert Dogs (5–7) and the Rochester Knighthawks (5–7) will complete their back-to-back matchup in Rochester at Blue Cross Arena at 4:00 p.m. PST on March 21. The Desert Dogs are coming off a dominant 17-10 victory over Rochester last week, tying the franchise record for most goals scored in a game.
With the win, Las Vegas now holds a 3-2 lead in the all-time series against the Knighthawks.
DESERT DOGS GO LIGHTS OUT AGAINST THE KNIGHTHAWKS
Las Vegas snapped a four-game losing streak with a balanced offensive performance that saw four different players record hat tricks and eight players score goals. Goalie Alex Buque made his first start of the season and finished with 44 saves on 54 shots for an 81 percent save percentage. Special teams also played a major role, as the Desert Dogs were perfect on the power play and added two shorthanded goals.
The Desert Dogs set the tone early with a goal from Kyle Killen, extending his goal-scoring streak to six games. Jonathan Donville added a power play goal before Connor Kirst took a defensive turnover down the turf for a score. Chris Cloutier added two quick goals in front of the net as Las Vegas built early momentum. The scoring continued throughout the night with contributions from Adam Poitras, Mitch Jones, Jackson Webster, Kevin Crowley and others.
Rochester’s offense was led by Connor Fields, who recorded a goal and seven assists, while Zed Williams scored four goals. The Knighthawks found success on the power play, going 4 for 8, but also allowed two shorthanded goals.
Playing the same opponent in back-to-back weeks always adds another layer of intensity. With Rochester looking for a response and Las Vegas hoping to build on its momentum, the rematch should bring a competitive and physical battle.
MILESTONES
Sheldon Burns is 9 points away from 100 career NLL points.
Tony Malcolm is 3 goals away from 100 career NLL goals AND 3 assists away from 150 career NLL assists.
Tyson Bell is 9 points away from 100 career NLL points AND 2 games played away from appearing in 150 NLL games.
Kevin Crowley is 1 goal away from 400 career NLL goals.
Alex Buque is 3 games played away from appearing in 150 NLL games.
Mitch Jones achieved 500 career assists AND 800 career points in the NLL against Rochester.
LVDD POINT LEADERS
#16 Mitch Jones – 72 points (26G, 46A)
#3 Jonathan Donville – 70 points (18G, 52A)
#25 Chris Cloutier – 58 points (25G, 33A)
#91 Adam Poitras – 34 points (19G, 15A)
#67 Kyle Killen – 26 points (18G, 8A)
WHERE TO WATCH
Fans can watch locally on SSSEN (5.4 / Cox 125) or stream on NLL+ and ESPN+. Faceoff is set for 4:00 p.m. PT // 7:00 p.m. ET.
ABOUT LAS VEGAS DESERT DOGS
The Las Vegas Desert Dogs are a professional box lacrosse team and a member of the National Lacrosse League (NLL). Known for their dedication to excellence and their passionate fanbase, the Desert Dogs have become a symbol of local pride for the city of Las Vegas and one of the most entertaining nights out. The Desert Dogs play 18 games in the regular season, 9 home games + 9 away games. All home games are played at Lee’s Family Forum located in Henderson, NV, minutes away from the Las Vegas Strip. Games can be viewed locally on FOX 5, SSSEN, YouTube TV, ESPN+ and select games on ESPN2 and ESPNU. To stay updated on all things Las Vegas Desert Dogs, visit our official website lasvegasdesertdogs.com and follow us on social media @VegasDesertDogs on Facebook, Instagram, X and LinkedIn.
ABOUT NATIONAL LACROSSE LEAGUE
The National Lacrosse League (NLL) is North America’s largest professional lacrosse league and welcomed more than 1 million fans for the third consecutive year during the 2024-25 season. Founded in 1986, the NLL is comprised of 14 franchises across Canada and the United States, and recently unveiled its largest brand campaign ever, “Welcome to The Next Major League™” and introduced its comprehensive grassroots initiative, NLL UnBOXed™, that will expand the League’s footprint to 60 communities across North America by 2028. For the latest scores and developments in the National Lacrosse League, please visit: NLL.com and find the NLL on Facebook, Instagram, X, YouTube and TikTok. Games are available live and streaming on TSN, TSN+, ESPN, and NLL+.
For all media inquiries please contact, Dana Mariotti, Vice President of Marketing & Communications, [email protected].
To request media credentials to the Las Vegas Desert Dogs Home Opener, please click HERE.
