Justin Ivey, Beat Writer New England Black Wolves
Lacrosse is Awesome
The New England Black Wolves (1-3) notched their first win of the season in their home opener against the Buffalo Bandits (1-3). It was the first meeting of the two teams since Buffalo swept New England in the division finals last year. Fans came out to see this tilt and it was announced in the third quarter that this was Mohegan Sun’s first sellout for lacrosse, with an attendance of 7,074. The game was back and forth, with both sides in position to win, but the Black Wolves came out on top much to the pleasure of the packed arena. Final Score: New England 13—Buffalo 12.
The first quarter started with both teams switching possessions and both defenses looking strong. The teams would kill off a man down disadvantage before Ryan Benesch (1G, 4A) would get the first goal of the game just over six minutes in. Black Wolves goalie Evan Kirk (35SV) got a piece of the ball with the back of his stick, but the ball hit the ground and bounced in. Less than a minute later, Shawn Evans (3G, 5A) was left alone in the front of the Bandits net to scoop up a rebound and put the ball past Davide DiRuscio (48SV) to even the score. Mitch Jones (2G, 2A) would put Buffalo back up by one almost five minutes later as he snuck the ball through Kirk’s bent elbow glove side. Jay Thorimbert would win the ensuing face off but the Black Wolves could not handle the ground ball. Buffalo capitalized and Steve Priolo (2G) would extend the Buffalo lead to two goals just ten seconds later. Out of the under-five TV timeout, Kevin Crowley (3G, 4A) would fire a pass cross crease to Kevin Buchanan (1G, 3A) who would finish with a beautiful quick stick goal. Chad Culp (2G, 2A) a former Bandit, put up his first goal against his former team shorthanded with a beautiful face dodge to even the score at three with under 30 seconds remaining in the first quarter. Score at the end of one: Black Wolves 3—Bandits 3.
The second quarter would start with both teams down a man. Culp would score his second of the game to give the Black Wolves their first lead of the game. It was short lived as Steve Priolo would run in off the faceoff and score the unassisted equalizer. Jay Thorimbert again proved he is one of the best faceoff men in the game as he won the ensuing faceoff and took it in himself. His shot did not get past DiRuscio, but he gathered his own rebound and started the offense. Two quick passes led to Pat Saunders (2G, 4A) scoring his first of the game. Yet again, the Black Wolves could not hold the lead long. Under two minutes later a defensive miscommunication left Mark Steenhuis (2G, 2A) wide open in front of the net and he easily put the ball past Kirk with a few stick fakes. Buffalo would then make some mistakes from the bench that would greatly benefit New England. 4:42 in, they would be assessed a bench minor for too many men. Just 24 seconds later, another bench minor for unsportsmanlike conduct would be handed out much to the dismay of the Buffalo coaches. With the five on three, New England would leave a man back and pass around a block of four. They would get the goalie moving side to side with textbook movement and Saunders would finish with the goal at 5:52 in. There was no scoring for the rest of the half with staunchly defenses and brick wall goalies flexing their muscles. Brett Bucktooth and Steenhuis would get into a scuffle with no time left on the clock and both would be assessed minors. The Black Wolves would go into the half with the lead. Score at the end of the first half: New England 6—Buffalo 5.
The second half would see the scoreless drought continue until Jones would score to tie the game at six just over four minutes in. Crowley (3G, 4A) would score next using some fancy footwork to outwork his defender and get to the top of the crease to put the ball five hole past DiRuscio. The moves he used could have won him at least the first round of Dancing With The Stars. Now the Black Wolves would make some costly penalties. Culp would be called for an illegal body check and locked in for five minutes with 8:08 remaining in the quarter. Reilly O’Connor would then be called for a delay of game as he shoveled the over and back ball to the Buffalo side with 6:31 remaining. With two men in the box, Anthony Malcolm (1G, 3A) would tie the game. One player would release for New England, but with the continued man advantage, Steenhuis would put in his second to give Buffalo the lead 8-7. New England would stay strong for the remainder of the man down and would be rewarded. Immediately after Culp was released from the box, a Black Wolves breakaway would cause Buffalo to scramble leading to an illegal substitution penalty. Just over a minute into the man advantage, Crowley would tie the game. Kyle Buchanan (2G, 1A) would give the Black Wolves the lead 9-8 with four seconds remaining in the third.
The fourth quarter would not break the pattern of the back and forth game leading in. Craig England (2G, 1A) would bully himself to the front of the crease, grab the pass and fire a goal in just 2:02 in to tie the game back up. Mitch Wilde (1G, 1A) would run in unassisted during transition just over 30 seconds later to give the lead back to Buffalo. Shawn Evans would then show his MVP form, answering the Buffalo run with two goals of his own. The first was from outside and deflected immediately off a Buffalo stick. Somehow the spin caused it to bounce right in. The second came just 44 seconds later to give the Black Wolves the lead. Kyle Buchanan would then score the goal of the game. He took the pass from O’Connor behind the net, threw some fakes and got DiRuscio looking the wrong way. He did his best Superman impression to dunk the ball into the net to put the Black Wolves up two, 12-10. Buffalo was not done yet, but it would take them some time to answer. Kirk would stand tall until England would once again find himself in front of the crease to put a bouncer past him on the glove side. Buffalo was now down only one with 4:06 remaining. David Brock (1G) would then tie the game with 2:37 left. The home crowd fans were on their feet, ready for a hero. A diving attempt by a Buffalo player had both teams meet and tensions rise in the crease. Crowley would break the tie on the next possession giving the Black Wolves the lead for good 13-12. A Pat Saunders shot gave him a juicy rebound for the put back winner. Final Score: Black Wolves 13—Buffalo 12.
UP NEXT:
Black Wolves host the Rochester Knighthawks Friday, February 3rd at 7:30 PM
Buffalo travels to Toronto Friday February 3rd at 7:30 PM
Justin Ivey, Beat Writer New England Black Wolves
Lacrosse is Awesome