Justin Ivey, Co-Editor
Lacrosse is Awesome©
For the third week in a row, the Buffalo Bandits (12-4) were given an opportunity to host a home playoff game. This time, all they needed was a win on the road against the Colorado Mammoth (8-8). The Bandits jumped out to a quick lead and never trailed while 11 different scorers, including goalie Matt Vinc (10GA, 32SV), attacked in flurries. Buffalo also kept a clean box, having no penalties assessed on them compared to the Mammoth’s four. Colorado fought hard throughout the game, but the closest they could get to Buffalo was tying the game early in the third quarter. They never led despite big save after big save from Dillon Ward (14GA, 44SV) and a hat trick from Ryan Lee (3G, 3A). Final Score: Buffalo-15, Colorado-10.
Dhane Smith (2G, 5A) opened the evening’s scoring, bouldering his way to the net 4:55 in, putting the visiting Bandits ahead 1-0. Kyle Buchanan (3G, 1A) doubled the lead just over two minutes later, dancing his way to an open look. Josh Byrne (2G, 8A) joined the party with 3:17 remaining as Colorado struggled to get any good offensive looks on Vinc. Finally, Lee broke through with his first of the game and just 44 seconds remaining. At the end of the first quarter, Buffalo led Colorado 3-1.
Chase Scanlan (2G) restored the three-goal lead for the Bandts 3:37 into the second quarter. Connor Kelly (2G) answered for the Mammoth, finally rewarded for constantly throwing himself at the net. Scoring paused for nearly five minutes before Scanlan scored his second of the quarter. In the final two minutes, Colorado fought to get the game back within one. Lee scored with 1:43 remaining, and Jordan Gilles (1G, 1A) scored in transition, catching an assist from Ward. At the half, Buffalo led Colorado 5-4.
After nine goals were scored in the first half, the total was doubled in the third quarter alone. Connor Robinson (1G, 2A) scored first, tying the game 5-5 just over three and a half minutes in. They could not grab the lead though as Chase Fraser (1G, 2A) answered for Buffalo with 10:52 on the clock. Lee completed his hat trick, tying the game again, but this time the Bandits punched back with a three goal run. Buchanan, Smith, and Ian MacKay (3G) all scored within a minute, sucking the air out of the arena. Will Malcolm (3G, 2A) temporarily stopped the onslaught, scoring with 1:58 left, but MacKay and Byrne scored within the final minute of the quarter. At the end of the third quarter, Buffalo led Colorado 11-7.
The lead continued to balloon at the start of the fourth quarter. MacKay completed his hat trick 27 seconds in and Dylan Robinson (1G, 1A) scored unassisted just over a minute later. Colorado did their best to mount a comeback. Kelly notched his second of the game to bring the Mammoth back within five, but Buchanan stretched the lead back to six. Malcolm netted two in a row, the second coming with 7:22 remaining, to get Colorado within four, but the Bandits defense allowed nothing after. In the final minute, Vinc scored his second career goal from within his own crease, launching the ball towards the net, watching it bounce twice before crossing the line. Final Score: Buffalo-15, Colorado-10.
Up Next:
The Buffalo Bandits (12-4) host the Halifax Thunderbirds (10-6) on Saturday, April 12 at 7:30 PM ET.
The Colorado Mammoth (8-8) host the Saskatchewan Rush (11-5) on Sunday, April 13 at 4:0 PM ET.