Justin Ivey, Co-Editor and NLL Correspondent
Lacrosse is Awesome©
The San Diego Seals (10-3) started the weekend two wins away from securing a playoff berth. After defeating Panther City Lacrosse Club Friday night, they returned home to host the East leading Buffalo Bandits (11-3). The Bandits have already secured their post season appearance, but you wouldn’t have known it from the effort they put in Saturday night. Led my Matt Vinc (49SV) and Josh Byrne (3G, 1A), Buffalo delayed the party in San Diego with an overtime winner from captain Steve Priolo (1G). In a very possible finals matchup, the two respective #1 teams played lights out on defense. Final Score: Buffalo-7, San Diego-6.
It was very apparent in the first part of the first quarter that this game was going to be a defensive battle. San Diego had a power play opportunity just 32 seconds into the game, but there was no opening to capitalize. In fact, there were three empty powerplays in the first, two for the Seals, and one for the Bandits. The lone goal of the first quarter did come on a man up though. Byrne cut to the net from the top center, and bounced a shot past Frank Scigliano (37SV) to give Buffalo the lead 1-0 with 10:07 remaining in the quarter. At the end of the first quarter, Buffalo led San Diego 1-0.
San Diego finally scored their first goal of the game with a powerplay goal from Curtis Dickson (1G), but it didn’t come until 6:52 had passed in the second quarter. Thankfully, it created a little momentum for the home team. They continued to pitch a shutout for the remainder of the half, and managed to squeak out two more goals before the buzzer. Austin Staats (2G) took a one-on-one matchup and rolled to the net finishing in close with 5:38 left. The Bandits won the ensuing faceoff, but on the next Seals possession, Jacob Dunbar (1G, 1A) absolutely stung the top right corner from way outside for his first NLL goal. At halftime, San Diego led Buffalo 3-1.
The third quarter fell in favor of the offenses. Byrne was left alone and caught the pass out of a loose ball scrum off the faceoff. Left alone with Scigliano, he made crashing the net for the goal look easy. Momentum did not follow for Buffalo. Mac O’Keefe (1G) put San Diego back up two just over three minutes later, and almost a minute later Dane Dobbie (1G, 2A) scored unassisted. Holding Banditland on his back, Byrne scored his hat trick goal to stop the run with 6:46 left in the quarter. Dhane Smith () followed up with his first goal in three games, out running Drew Belgrave to the net, and then Brad McCulley (1G, 2A) tied the game 5-5 on the powerplay with 4:27 remaining. After a first half with only four goals, the sixth of the third quarter reset the game. Staats had the answer for San Diego. Posting up behind the net, he caught the feed from Dunbar. Without hesitation, he dove and dunked the ball over the net, while getting hit hard from the Buffalo defense. With 41 seconds left, San Diego had the lead again. At the end of the third quarter, San Diego led Buffalo 6-5.
The offensive magic dried up in the fourth quarter. It took 7:50 of game time before Chris Cloutier (1G, 2A) tied the game 6-6. He ran around a screen to the top middle, and just unleashed a laser into the net. Both teams had a chance in the final minute, but neither could beat the goalie. At the end of regulation, Buffalo and San Diego were tied 6-6.
Buffalo came up with the first possession in overtime, but San Diego stopped the opportunity. With their first look, the Seals also couldn’t capitalize and turned the ball over. Priolo picked up the loose ball and ran to the offensive end. Not known for his offensive prowess, he made his way all the way to the net, picked his spot and stuck the top corner for the game winner, just 52 seconds into overtime. Final Score: Buffalo-7, San Diego-6.
Up Next:
The San Diego Seals (10-3) host the Calgary Roughnecks (10-4) on Friday, March 31 at 10:00 PM EDT.
The Buffalo Bandits (11-3) travel to play the Toronto Rock (11-4) on Saturday, April 1 at 7:00 PM EDT.