Chris Crane, NLL Correspondent
Lacrosse is Awesome
The Buffalo Bandits (0-2) played host to the Georgia Swarm (2-0) at the Key Bank Center in front of a crowd of 13,915. As Buffalo looked to gain their first win of the season the high powered Georgia Swarm had different plans as they would defeat the Bandits 18-14.
The first quarter would start with the Georgia Swarm going on a five goal run. Getting the run started would be Lyle Thompson finding the back of the net just after 1:30 of play. The next two goals of the run would come from Staats at 5:31 followed up with a power-play goal at 5:54 making it a 3-0 game. The Swarm’s next two scores would also be power-play goals at 8:17 coming from Jordan Hall; and Jerome Thompson at the 9:54 mark making it 5-0. Buffalo would get a short-handed goal from Malcolm at 11:28 making it 5-1 game. Georgia’s J. Thompson would net his second of the night for the Swarm at 12:47 putting Georgia back up by five. In the concluding seconds of the quarter the Bandits would get one back on a power-play goal from Veltman at 14:49 making it 6-2 at the end of the first.
The second quarter would be more of an even match up for both teams. However, it would be Georgia netting the first two goals of the quarter coming off Tutton at 1:45 and a minute later by Shayne Jackson at 2:43 on the power-play goal putting the Swarm up 8-2. The Bandits would answer back with two of their own off Benesch on the power-play goal at 6:31; and Steenhuis at 10:03. The Bandits were making a comeback and only down by four. Lyle Thompson would net his second of the night for the Swarm at 12:47, but Buffalo would get one back at 13:57 from Jones making it 9-5 heading into halftime.
It would be three and half minutes of play before either side would find the back of the net, but it would be the Bandits scoring first this time as ex-Knighthawks Brad Self would score at 3:27 putting Buffalo to within three 9-6. However, Georgia would shift momentum back to their side as they would go on a six goal run. Getting things started for the Swarm would be Hall at 4:28 with his second of the night making it 10-6; Miles Thompson on the power-play at 8:13; Staats for the hat-trick; M. Thompson his second of the night at 9:14; Cole with his first of the night; and Jackson topping off the run with his second of the night making it 15-6. Buffalo’s Benesch and Steenhuis would both net their second on the night with the score it 15-8 in favor of the Swarm.
Georgia would keep the pressure on the Bandits as Crepinsek would score a short-handed goal for the Swarm at 2:44 making it 16-8. But Buffalo would finally go on a run of their own closing the gap on the Swarm. Getting things started for the Bandits would be Jones for his second goal of the night; Veltman (2); Self (2); Brownell; and Benesch netting a hat trick at 11:31 making it a 16-13. Georgia then notched an empty net goal from O’Connor at 13:17 making it 17-13. The Bandits Kedoh Hill would get one back only twelve seconds later at 13:29 making it 17-14. The Swarm would put the nail in the coffin with one more in the closing seconds of the fourth on an empty netter goal from Matisz at 14:46 giving the Swarm an 18-14 victory.
This loss puts the Bandits 0-2 to start the season and pushes the Georgia Swarm to 2-0. The Buffalo Bandits will be back in action when they play host to the New England Black Wolves January 21st.
Chris Crane, NLL Correspondent
Lacrosse is Awesome