Buffalo Bandits, NLL, lacrosse

[Taro T]

Bandits started the night off right w/ an 11-8 W.

 

1st time ever all 3 of the Bandits, Bills, & Sabres won on the same night. 

[Taro T]

Been a while since watching a Bandits game on the night it was played.  Last week they lost in Ra-cha-cha after having led most of the game, but a horrible 4th Q doomed the effort.  So, they were 4-2 after that game.

 

Tonight.  Bandits started the night ok getting the games 1st goal from Buchanan but then had a devil of a time scoring though they dominated play in the 1st.  Outshot the Wings 18-9 but were trailing 3-2 at the break.  2nd quarter was a disaster for the most part as they were in the box pretty much the whole quarter.  They were down 6-2 and down a man with 24 seconds left in the half when Filly took a dumb penalty and allowed the Bandits to score a contested goal w/ 0.4 seconds left.

 

That goal sparked them to a 7-0 run and didn't give up another goal until there was less than 2 minutes to go in the 3rd.  That quarter ended 9-7.

 

In the 4th, Filly scored a quick one and thought they'd tied it up but the shooter had stepped in the crease before getting the ball & the goal was disallowed.  Bandits scored the next 3 then Weiss got an empty netter.  Filly got one in garbage time.  Final 13-9 good guys.

 

They play at the Riptide tomorrow at 7:30. The game will be shown on one of the MSG's, probably the one that shows Aisles games, but not positive which one.

[Taro T]

Bandits playing a rematch of last year's championship vs the Mammoth tonight.

 

They're currently in 1st in the East.  Looking to stay a 1/2 game ahead of Toronto and a full game ahead of the Kin-ig-hit Hawks.

 

Hopefully Nanticoke is back this week. Byrne and Cloutier came back last week.

 

Last game at home before a short road stint.

 

[Taro T]

Bandits started well Saturday night, jumping out to a 4-1 1st quarter lead, but were down 6-4 at the half.

 

They battled back to get it to 6-6 and 8-8 but they still haven't figured out how to beat the Colorado goalie Ward consistently. He comes out very high in the crease and the defenders don't give much opportunity to get the ball to somebody wide to the side with what would be an easy goal. And they lost 13-8. (Pretty sure that was the final score. The Mammoth got a few easy ones after the Bandits had to press at the end.)  

 

The Bandits were still without Nanticoke and Brandon Robinson but did have Chase Frazier back for the 1st time this year. He hadn't been signed at the beginning of the season. Don't know what the deal was with that. But it's good to have him back.

 

 

[Taro T]

Bandits in San Diego in a few minutes in a battle of the 2 1st place teams.

 

Bandits need this win to stay a 1/2 game ahead of ToGronto.

 

Game is on ESPN News.

 

 

[Taro T]

Bandits in San Diego in a few minutes in a battle of the 2 1st place teams.

 

 

 

Bandits need this win to stay a 1/2 game ahead of Toronto.

 

 

 

Game is on ESPN News.

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Taro T]

Priolo with the unassisted winner in OT. 7-6. Both goalies were incredible.

 

Buffalo held San Diego scoreless in the 1st and 4th; and SD held the Bandits scoreless in the 2nd.

 

Byrne had the Bandits 1st 3 goals including the only goal of the 1st; then Smith; McCollum; and Cloutier had the only goal of the 4th.

 

 

At 11-3 with a 1/2 game lead over the Rock who sit at 11-4. Kin-ig-hit Hawks were losing at the half in Vegas. Would be nice to see them lose out there to the expansion team.  

 

At 11-3 with a 1/2 game lead over the Rock who sit at 11-4. Kin-ig-hit Hawks were losing at the half in Vegas. Would be nice to see them lose out there to the expansion team. And they did, they did lose to Vegas.

 

 

[Taro T]

Bandits are in Hamilton taking on the "Toronto" Rock at 7PM. Game is on ESPN News.

 

Game is for 1st place.  And they'll do it again next week (or maybe in 2 weeks).

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Taro T]

Good thing they get another crack at them because Vinc and the rest of the team didn't show up Saturday night.

 

It was 3-0 3 minutes into the game and after it got to 6-0, Vinc was yanked.  His backup gave up the 1st shot against him and the Bandits trailed 7-1 through 1.

 

Vinc came back in after they'd given up 9 goals.  He wasn't much better after having some time to reflect.  Worst drubbing in several years.

 

Lots of fights in the last 3 minutes.

 

Win the game in Buffalo and everything can go through Banditland again, like it should.

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Taro T]

Bandits playing the Rock again tonight.  This time in Buffalo.

 

Game started at 8PM.  Was supposed to be on ESPNU but a college softball game bumped it to ESPN News.  Thankfully, they aren't f'n with the ESPN+ feed.  Finally starting to watch it now.

 

Nanticoke back after missing the last 5 games with an injury.

[Taro T]

YOUR Buffalo Bandits are the number 1 seed in the Eastern Conference and when they avenge their opening night loss to Albany next week in Kathy Hochul's backyard they will be the #1 seed overall.  Again.

 

Though Toronto Hamilton is at 13-5 and the Bandits are only at 13-4, should the Bandits lose to the Firewolves again, they'd get the tiebreaker over the Rock as they won the season series 2-1.  They also beat the 12-4 Seals in SD so if they end with the same record, the Bandits would get the tiebreaker over them too.  AKA beat the Firehoses like they should've opening night and the road to the championship runs through Banditland.

 

They once again were a 2nd half team.  Down 2-0 after 1 (way better than being down 6-0 in the 1st like the last time these 2 played).  Down 4-2 at the half.  Took a VERY brief lead at 7-6 in the 3rd but went into the 4th down 8-7.

 

They got the job done in the 4th getting an 11-9 lead and holding on for an 11-10 win.

 

Byrne with 3.

The Great Dhane with 2.

Frasier with 3.

Buchannon with 1.

MacKay with 1.

Nanticoke with 1.

 

Byrne's 3rd was the game winner.

 

1st game all season that Smith, Buchannon, Fraser, and Nanticoke were all healthy and active.  (Smith didn't miss any but those others and Byrne missed plenty.)  Pretty sure Robinson is the only guy still out on IR.

 

Please dear Lord, don't make us have to listen to the Toronto Hamilton announcers again.  They are insufferable.

[Alaska Darin]

I love the synergy between all the Franchises.

 

 

[Taro T]

Bandits closing out the regular season in Albany tonight looking to clinch home field throughout the playoffs.  The 3-14 Timberwolves won the opening night matchup in Buffalo against the 13-4 Bandits.

 

Game is on ESPN+ and started at 7PM.  (Which means if you have ESPN+, you can watch on delay and catch the whole game.)

[Taro T]

Bandits clinched the leagues top record at 14-4.  (San Diego can match it but the Bandits won there so they have the tie breaker should the Seals beat the Mammoth tonight.)

 

Playoffs start next weekend.  Pretty sure Buffalo will be hosting the Kin-ig-hit Hawks on Saturday at 7PM.  (Halifax and Ra-cha-cha are both 10-8, but believe the MD 20-20's have the 3rd tie breaker over them with a +8 goal differential in their 2 h-t-h games.)

 

Edit: Yes, the Bandits host the Kin-ig-hit Hawks this coming weekend.  Let's go Ban-dits!

[Taro T]

Went to the Bandits game tonight, so no heads up it was going to be played.  Sorry.

 

Spoiler - they will host game 1 of the Eastern Conference Championship on Friday night.

 

The shots were fairly even overall throughout the game.  But Vinc was on and so were the Bandits shooters.

 

3-0 after 1.  Kin-ig-hit Hawks got it to 3-3 and 4-4 in the 2nd but couldn't get the lead and came out of the half down 8-4.

 

They scored the 1st 2 goals of the 2nd half thanks to some questionable calls IMHO and then the Bandits took over.  Vinc was pulled with about 6-1/2 left in the game after the Bandits were up 20-7.  The backup gave up 1 on a few shots, but was still the 2nd best keeper tonight.  Hartley got pulled after giving up the 13th and then got put back in down 17-7.

 

Not sure who won in Hamilton, the "Toronto" Rock or the Halifax MD20-20's (Thunderbirds, MD20-20 white fortified wine, red fortified wine; same friggin' difference) but the Bandits have played very well these last 2 games.  They should be ready to face either of their Canadian rivals.

[Taro T]

And it looks like the Hamilton Rock beat the Halifax MD 20-20's, so Friday night's game in Buffalo will be vs the Rock.

 

Let's Go BAN-DITS!

[Taro T]

YOUR Buffalo BAN-DITS begin their attempt to defend their Eastern Conference Crown tonight in Banditland vs the Toronto Hamilton Rock at 7:30PM.  Game is ESPN+ only in the States.

 

Game 2 will be in Hamilton on Saturday at 7PM.  Another ESPN+ only game.

 

Game 3, if necessary, will be next Saturday at 7:30 in Banditland.  Also only ESPN+.

 

Team has been rolling the last 2 weeks and are as healthy as they've been all season.  The MMArena should be rocking.

 

Let's Go BAN-DITS!!!

[Alaska Darin]

I probably say this too much but I love watching the all the Buffalo teams supporting each other.

 

 

[Alaska Darin]

Tough week in the T.O.

 

 

[Alaska Darin]

The Bandits are a &#%$ing wagon.