Justin Ivey, Co-Editor
Lacrosse is Awesome©
The Buffalo Bandits (11-4) have already clinched a spot in the playoffs, but a win against the visiting Vancouver Warriors (8-7) Saturday night would have clinched them home turf advantage. Vancouver goaltender Christian Del Bianco (12GA, 40SV) was a key reason why the Bandits lost their second game in a row by one goal. With Matt Vinc (13GA, 32SV) pulled for the extra attacker as the fourth quarter dwindled, Del Bianco turned away four great opportunities to secure the victory. Josh Byrne (2G, 3A) and Dhane Smith (1G, 6A) continually came through in big opportunities to give Buffalo a chance, but a game high 10 points from Keegan Bal (4G, 6A) and a stellar outing from Del Bianco led to a narrow victory, putting Vancouver above .500 on the season. Final Score: Vancouver-13, Buffalo-12
Jeff Cornwall (1G) gave the visiting Warriors the early lead, scoring just 1:04 into the game. Unfortunately, Kyle Buchanan (2G, 1A) and Smith scored two for the home Bandits 50 seconds apart within a minute after. Buffalo could not hold their first lead long. Kevin Crowley (2G, 2A) scored his first of the night 26 seconds later, and then Bal and Ryan Martel (2G, 1A) made it a three-goal run in the next three minutes. With 9:55 left in the first, Vancouver led Buffalo 4-2. Tehoka Nanticoke (1G) quickly returned it to a one-goal game, scoring with 8:07 left. After that goal, neither team was able to break through for the remainder of the quarter. Vinc and Del Bianco, despite two penalties for both teams, remained brick walls. At the end of the first quarter, Vancouver led Buffalo 4-3.
The second penalty on Vancouver carried over most of its time into the second quarter, and Ian MacKay (3G, 1A) capitalized on the man advantage for the score, tying the game 4-4 1:19 in. Both teams locked in defensively after that goal until Nick Weiss (1G, 2A) was assessed a boarding major with 7:34 remaining. Vancouver scored twice with the advantage. Bal notched his second of the evening, before assisting Riley Loewen (2G, 2A) with 4:23 on the clock. Bal finished his hat trick before the half, scoring again with 1:45 remaining. At the half, Vancouver led Buffalo 7-4.
Buffalo started their comeback with the first goal of the second half, a powerplay marker from MacKay. Marcus Klarich (1G, 1A) provided the answer for Vancouver, scoring just over three minutes later, but Buffalo struck back with a two-goal run. Dylan Robinson (1G, 1A) scored in transition before MacKay scored his second of the quarter. With 7:49 left in the third, Buffalo was now within one. Loewen extended the lead to two momentarily, but Buchanon got it back for Buffalo with just 1:02 remaining. At the end of the third quarter, Vancouver led Buffalo 9-8.
The Bandits came out on a tear to start the fourth quarter. Weiss scored in transition 1:42 in, tying the game 9-9. Byrne fought for two goals of his own in a span of 29 seconds and suddenly with 9:02 left, Buffalo led Vancouver 11-9. Del Bianco closed the door after that, and the offense responded. Crowley scored with 7:56 on the clock and just over a minute later, and Martel tied the game with 6:35 left. A power play goal from Adam Charalambides (1G, 6A) with 4:20 left was quickly followed by another Bal goal 19 seconds later. With 4:01 left, and in the span of five minutes, Vancouver had flipped the two-goal deficit into a two-goal lead. MacKay brought Buffalo to within one with 3:37 left, but Del Bianco turned away every opportunity in the waning minutes to secure the victory. Final Score: Vancouver-13, Buffalo-12.
Up Next:
The Vancouver Warriors (8-7) host the Albany Firewolves (6-9) on Friday, April 4 at 10:00 PM EDT.
The Buffalo Bandits (11-4) travel to play the Colorado Mammoth (8-7) on Saturday, April 5 at 9:00 PM EDT.