Chris Vale, Beat Writer Buffalo Bandits
Lacrosse is Awesome
Photo Credits: Buffalo Bandits
The Buffalo Bandits (6-12) hosted the Toronto Rock (9-9) at KeyBank Center on Saturday April 29, 2017 where 18,417 Bandits fans were hopeful their team would end the 2017 season with a win. But this game had meaning for the Rock as well who needed this win if they wanted to stay in second place in the NLL Eastern division and host New England who were sitting in third. Final Score: Buffalo 15—Toronto 19.
Going into the last regular season with nothing on the line the Bandits were looking to take on the Rock and get one last win of the year. The game went back and forth throughout and was a close one but Toronto would come away with the win. On a good note for the Bandits, Mark Steenhuis would record his 1,000th career point in 2017, a milestone for any player.
In the first quarter, the teams would trade goals with Buffalo starting and ending the quarter. Goals for Buffalo would come from Craig England only 16 seconds in; Ryan Benesch on the power-play at 2:33 and another at 6:01; England again at 12:08; and Pat Saunders being the final to score for Buffalo at 12:08. For Toronto, Latrell Harris would get it started on a short-handed goal at 2:00 and another at 8:54; and Kieran McArdle would score for the Rock at 3:59. It was an unusual quarter with the first three goals matching (but in reverse on the last three): England, Harris and Benesch to start; and Benesch, Harris and England, with Saunders closing it out. Score at the end of one: Buffalo 5—Toronto 3.
In the second, Buffalo would get it started with one from Mitch Jones 30 seconds in. But the Rock would hit two in a row, McArdle at 1:25; and Jesse Gamble at 3:04. Buffalo would fire back with three in a row, from Kevin Brownell 3:30; Benesch (hat-trick) 4:45; and Matthew Bennett 7:28. Brett Hickey would notch a true hat-trick for Toronto at 7:57; 10:41: and a power-play at 11:26. Toronto would outscore the Bandits 5-4 in the second but still train by one. Score heading into the half: Buffalo 9—Toronto 8.
The fans were certainly not disappointed with the amount of scoring on the floor. Buffalo would start it off again with a power-play goal from Saunders at 4:31. The Rock would answer back with another two from Reid Reinholdt (5:08); and McArdle hat-trick (7:27). Buffalo would notch a shorthanded goal coming off Anthony Malcolm at 8:54, but the Rock would fire back with another two, Tom Schreiber (power-play) at 9:23 and Harris (hat-trick) at 13:09. This time it would be Buffalo closing out the quarter on a three-goal run. Saunders (hat-trick) 14:13; Jones (power-play) 14:36; and Benesch on the extra-attacker at 14:54. The Bandits continued to hang onto the lead. Score at the end of three: Buffalo 14—Toronto 12.
Just as it had been in the first three frames, Buffalo would start it off with Saunders at 23 seconds and his fourth of the night. Unfortunately, Toronto would own the last quarter as they would go on a seven goal run. Dan Lintner (4:58); Schreiber (power-play) 6:25; Damon Edwards (7:22); Hickey (7:47); Reinholdt (power-play) 10:08; Schreiber (extra-attacker) 13:30; and Hickey on an empty-netter at 14:03. Final Score: Toronto 19—Buffalo 15.
This game would see the Bandits have two players with four goals, Saunders and Benesch. The Rock would have four different players with hat-tricks, McArdle; Schreiber; Harris; and Hickey with five.
With no Dhane Smith in the lineup Benesch would have an eight point night while Pat Saunders and Mitch Jones each added five. Kedoh Hill had three assists showing why he is one of the best transition players in the game; and Craig England (2G, 1A) added to his season totals. On defense Billy Dee was out along with Dave Brock. Andrew Watt wore the “C” for this game and rookie Justin Martin got another game in to finish off his rookie year. Tim Edwards went 18-32 on the draws. Anthony Cosmo was in net and had 47 saves. With all the changes that will most likely occur for the Bandits in the off-season, we’ll see if he’s back with the Bandits again next season.
It’s apparent that the Bandits had some major issues in 2017; the players are not happy; nor the fans. This means Buffalo will need to look for players through free agency and the draft, possibly a full time starting goalie; another offense righty; and some additional young defenders.
For the Rock Brett Hickey had a big ten point night (5G, 5A); while Stephen Leblanc had eight assists; and rookie Tom Schreiber with six (3G, 3A). Rookie defender Latrell Harris had his first career hat-trick.
Toronto (9-9) looks like a team that will push the Georgia Swarm (13-5) in the playoffs. But before they will get that chance, they have to get past the New England Black Wolves (8-10) who are heading to the playoffs for the second year in a row and will head to Air Canada Centre in Toronto next weekend.
Chris Vale, Beat Writer Buffalo Bandits
Lacrosse is Awesome