By: Frank Wesaw, Jr., Beat Writer Buffalo Bandits
As the Buffalo bandits come rolling into the new 2016 NLL Regular Season with their first win over Calgary Roughnecks on January 9, 2016 at the First Niagara Center in front of a crowd of 14,286, the fans were not disappointed. The team had a different roster as #66 Alex “Kedoh” Hill had a two game suspension from the preseason game against Calgary. No specific details were given into how Hill was Unable to perform in the game against Calgary. The goaltender for the Buffalo Bandits was #44 A. Cosmo with a tremendous game 41(SV) and 50(SOG). Playing between the pipes for Calgary was #92 F. Scigliano 33(SV) and 43(SOG). Final Score Buffalo 10—Calgary 9.
The first quarter for both ends was very close. D. Brock started the game off strong for Buffalo with his first of the season with 2:54 into the game, unassisted. Answering shortly back was C. Dickerson Assisted by J. Shattler with 7:12 into the first. With 7:40 D. Smith brought the lead back to the Bandits. Smith’s goal was assisted by M. Steenhuis. Bandits N. Weiss also contributed with a goal 9:27 into the first, unassisted. While Buffalo had the lead (3-1) Calgary answered right back with two back-to-back goals by D. Dobbie first goal at 10:57 in the first, assisted by T. Digby and Shattler. The second goal with 3:56 left on the board Dobbie was assisted by W. Berg and Shattler. At the conclusion of the first quarter the game was tied 3-3.
To start the second quarter only 1:30 in Shattler had a very nice goal with the assists from, Dobbie and R. O’Connor. Calgary had the lead 4-3, shortly after Shattler’s goal D. Veltman tied the game up 4-4 only 2:55 into the second. Veltman was assisted by Smith and M. Steenhuis. Coming to the conclusion of the second Berg for Calgary scored giving the Roughnecks the 5-4 lead. Berg was assisted by Dobbie 12:42 into the second. With 28 seconds left R. Benesch scored with a good look by Smith and S. Priolo. At the end of the second game tied at 5-5.
To start the quarter off Buffalo’s K. Brownell scored with the assist by N. Weiss. M. Jones also scored for the Bandits 9.00 after Brownell, assisted by D.Brock. With the Bandits lead 7-5, Calgary’s Digby scored 10:24 into the third, he was assisted by Shattler and Dobbie. Buffalo Bandits in the lead over Calgary 7-6.
At the start of the fourth M. Wilde scored for the Bandits as Calgary crept on them with the one goal lead. After Wildes goal, Digby answered back 4:27 into the quarter. Digby’s assists were given by Berg and Dobbie. Bandits led 8-7. Benesch scored once again for Buffalos giving them the lead 9-7. Benesch was assisted by J. Batson and Wilde. Calgary answered back with two straight goals, Dickson and Digby once again. With the game tied 9-9 Bandits Smith had a very nice goal 13:50 into the fourth assisted by J. Thompson and Benesch.
Bandits came out with a stunning victory 10-9 over Calgary. The game was a total nail biter. Tune in for the Bandits next game Saturday, January 16th at 9:00pm (Eastern Time) against the (2-0) Colorado Mammoth.
Look for our recap article on the Mammoth/Bandits game coming on Monday January 18, 2016.
Frank Wesaw, Jr., Beat Writer Buffalo Bandits
Lacrosse is Awesome