Justin Ivey, Co-Editor and NLL Correspondent
Lacrosse is Awesome©
The NLL needs to check some of the video from Friday’s game at KeyBank Center in Buffalo. Specifically, they need to investigate the net on the right of the benches from the perspective of the announcing crew. Exactly zero of the 21 goals scored during the Buffalo Bandits (7-1) win over the Albany Firewolves (4-5) on Friday passed that plane. Personally, I have not checked back in the league logs, but this must be a first. Albany only scored goals in the first and third quarters, while Buffalo only scored in the second and fourth. Something about the left side of the floor gave the offenses the confidence. During their respective scoring streaks, controlling the tempo was what ultimately led to the frenzied goals. That and something mystical of course. Final Score: Albany Firewolves-8, Buffalo Bandits-13.
Albany came out in the first quarter and controlled the game with near perfection. The defense closed quickly and left little room in transition, or in the offensive zone. Goaltender Doug Jameison (43SV) stopped shots from distance and the doorstep. The Buffalo offense wasn’t steering but rather falling into the traps Albany was setting. Jacob Ruest (1G, 1A) scored just 1:35 into the game putting the visitors up early, and despite the defensive prowess, that was the only goal. At the end of the first quarter, Albany led Buffalo 1-0.
Then the teams switched sides and the momentum followed. Albany ended the first quarter and started the second on the powerplay but couldn’t find net. Buffalo, guided by the left side turf genie, started to find openings. Tehoka Nanticoke (3G) was the first to break through, scoring on a butter smooth roll to the crease. Connor Fields (2G, 1A) followed with his only two goals of the game in the next two minutes of play. A tense few minutes of scoreless play reminded everyone watching how much these two teams don’t like each other. Buffalo regathered themselves and went on another three-goal run late in the quarter. Two goals from Chris Cloutier (4G, 1A) sandwiched another masterpiece from Nanticoke. At the end of the second quarter, Buffalo led Albany 6-1.
Third quarter? All Albany. This is where it started to get strange. Buffalo went into the half with a clear advantage. The building was roaring, the offense was passing crisper than a fall Granny Smith, and the defense was flying around passing lanes. The Firewolves blasted through all of that and put up two quick goals to start the second half. Andrew Kew (2G, 2A) scored just 42 seconds in, and Ryan Benesch (2G, 3A) followed with a powerplay goal just over a minute later. Joe Resetarits (2G, 3A) got Albany to within two with his first of the game at 4:25. Buffalo couldn’t find a way to get the ball into the right-side net. Frustrations started to boil over and led to a total of eight penalties in the remainder of the half. Six were on Buffalo and Albany feasted on the man advantage. Within the last five minutes of the third quarter, Albany scored four with the Buffalo defense short a man. At the end of three quarters, Albany led Buffalo 8-6. Goals scored on the left goal-14. Goals scored on the right goal-0.
There was no way this could continue right? A tight game between these division rivals would surely have both teams score in the fourth quarter! Albany, in turn, could not crack the goal line. Within three minutes, Buffalo came back to tie the game. Dhane Smith (2G, 4A) broke the quarter long drought and Chase Fraser (1G, 1A) followed up to tie just 2:51 in. They never looked back. The Bandits scored five more unanswered goals to end the game. 21 straight goals all crossed the left side goal line. The pipes on the right, never allowed a goal. Sculder? Mully? Somewhere there must be a file on this… Final Score: Albany-8, Buffalo-13.
Up Next:
The Albany Firewolves (4-5) visit the Toronto Rock (5-3) on Saturday, February 19 at 7:00 PM EST.
The Buffalo Bandits (7-1) visit the Rochester Knighthawks (3-5) on Saturday, February 26 at 8:00 PM EST.