Chris Vale, Correspondent Buffalo Bandits
Lacrosse is Awesome©
Featured Image Photo Courtesy of National League Lacrosse
The Buffalo Bandits (1-0) are looking to make it back to the NLL Championship and bring it back to Buffalo in 2020. The first test for this new Buffalo team was Saturday night December 7 when the San Diego Seals (0-1) headed east to start off their season as well in the NLL Week Two action. Final Score: Bandits 13—Seals 10.
Bandits’ Corey Small now in his second season in Buffalo would strike first. For the Seals lefty Connor Fields would score in his first game back in his hometown. Connor missed most of last season coming off knee surgery but looks to have himself a big second season in the NLL. It did not take long for Chris Cloutier to get on the board after a pass from both Josh Byrne and Corey Small. These three players make for a strong left side. Chris was also named the team’s heavy weight player of the game after finishing with three goals and two assists. The Great Dhane Smith looks to keep up the scoring pace finishing with six in the game. On the backend goalie Matt Vinc finished with 50 saves as one of the all-time greats and is not slowing down.
The Buffalo defense led by Steve Priolo is one of the best in the NLL. Not to mention most of the team has been together for years; and most play together in the summer as well. One of the Bandits young players that look to have an impact is Dallas Bridle. Bridle will play a big role in replacing Shawn Evans and an injured Thomas Hogarth. Dallas scored the first goal of the second period and dished out four assists through the game; he looked impressive and looks to be what the Bandits are hoping to get out of him. First round pick Brent Noseworthy played good defensively and got an assist in the game for his first NLL career point.
For the Seals Connor Fields had a four-point game; Denver product Wesley Berg who played his first NLL game in over a year had a six-point game in his Seals debut; fellow Denver and former Oakville Rock teammate Jeremy Noble who was also acquired in an offseason deal had three points after coming over from Colorado; Zach Greer who was also traded over from Colorado and spent last year in retirement is back in the box and had four points. Greer had played the past two summers in the MLL for Dallas so he was not fully away from the game; and Kyle Buchanan had a four-point night. These new Seals; Fields; and Buchanan along with a returning Austin Staats should give the Seals one of the better offenses in the league. Along with the defensive side of all-time great Brodie Merrill it looks to give the Seals one of the top spots in the combative West Division.
NEXT UP:
The Buffalo Bandits (1-0) have a Bye Week in Week Three and Week Four and will return on December 28 at home to host the Halifax Thunderbirds on December 28, game time 7:00 p.m. EST.
The San Diego Seals (0-1) will open up at home on Saturday, December 14 and will host the Toronto Rock (0-1), game time 10:00 p.m. EST.
Chris Vale, Correspondent Buffalo Bandits
Lacrosse is Awesome©