Bandits Give the Rock a Tumble 12/8/17

Chris Vale, Beat Writer Buffalo Bandits
Lacrosse is Awesome

Featured Image Courtesy of:  Bill Wippert

The Buffalo Bandits (1-0) and Toronto Rock (0-1) opened up their 2017-2018 season Friday December 8, 2017 in Buffalo in front of 11,516 fans at the KeyBank Center. The Bandits made numerous trades and draft picks in the off-season going with a new younger line up and only 12 returning players from last year.  The Bandits revamped squad paid off with a victory in their home opener over the Toronto Rock.  Final Score:  Buffalo 13—Toronto 9.

The Bandits new offense had no problem showing off their fire power on both the right and left sides while Dhane Smith who is entering his sixth season led the way with seven points. With plenty of highlight reel goals from different players, Josh Byrne their number one draft pick scored his first career goal, and was also second in points on the night with five. Newcomer Jordan Durston made would send a pass to Mitch Jones allowing him to score a beautiful wrap around the net goal

on Rock net-minder Nick Rose. (M) Jones scored two goals on the night; while Durston who made his Bandits debut notched four points (1G, 3A).  Veteran Callum Crawford was a great trade for Buffalo this offseason with four points (2G, 2A).  Crawford will be a solid scoring threat on the right side. Rookie Chase Fraser who had a great summer playing in the WLA for the Nanaimo Timbermen showed versatility with three points (1G, 2A); and 4-6 at face-offs.

Net-minder Alex Buque, who came over from the Colorado Mammoth, did not skip a beat after his strong summer with New Westminster in the WLA finishing the night with 55 saves. Buque will lock up the starting goalie for the remainder of the season if he continues to play strong. Defender Nick Weiss had a great night on all ends of the floor not only with his defensive play; scoring twice; and went 10-20 in face-offs.

There were many skeptics about the Bandits back end starting the year, but they played solid on Friday against a strong Toronto offense, and were able to hold the 2017 Rookie of the Year Tom Schreiber scoreless in the contest. Schreiber did have three assists; Toronto’s newest forward Adam Jones led the way with five points; and third year forward Dan Lintner had three goals. Goalie Nick Rose saved the ball 45 times with 13 in the first. Final Score:  Buffalo 13—Toronto 9.

The Bandits have two weeks off before heading to Rochester to take on the Knighthawks on December 23rd at 7:30P.M. The Rock will host the Saskatchewan Rush on December 16th at 7:00P.M.

Chris Vale, Beat Writer Buffalo Bandits
Lacrosse is Awesome