2022-'23 Buffalo Bandits

[SwampD]

That game was awesome!

[Taro T]

Bandits don't believe in doing anything the easy way.

 

Hosted Halifax tonight. Got Byrne back after missing 3 games and Cloutier back for the 1st time since the 2nd game of the year.

 

In the 1st they were getting dominated by Halifax, but Vinc was a wall.  If not for being down 2 men, Vinc likely would've gotten through the 1st with a shutout like the Thunderbird's Keeper Hill did.  1-0 bad guys after 1.  Bandits woke up in the 2nd with both Byrne and Cloutier picking up a pair and came out of the 1st half with a 5-3 lead.

They added another 18 seconds into the 3rd and it looked like a rout might be on.  But the Bandits can't do anything easily.  They let Halifax go on a 6-0 run and found themselves down 9-6 into the 4th.

But then the Bandits decided they dug a big enough hole and took over in the 4th.  Both Byrne and Cloutier got their hatties and Buchanan tied it late at 9.  It appeared the Bandits had tied it at 9 earlier in the quarter as Cloutier dove from behind the net and beat Hill over the shoulder but it was just after the shot clock expired.

In OT, both teams had 2 possessions and after a timeout they got the ball to Cloutier and this time he got the shot off with 2 ticks left on the shot clock and the Bandits won 10-9.  Bandits are now 10-2 and will stay at least a game ahead of both Toronto and Rochester who sit at 8-3.

 

 

[Taro T]

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

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.

[Marvin]

4 minutes ago, Taro T said:

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

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.

They must figure out how to beat Colorado's defencive set-up.  They had all sorts of trouble getting clean shots off in last year's final.

[Taro T]

15 minutes ago, Marvin said:

They must figure out how to beat Colorado's defencive set-up.  They had all sorts of trouble getting clean shots off in last year's final.

Colorado is having a tough year.  They're 5-6 and could miss the dance unless they pick it up.

[Marvin]

24 minutes ago, Taro T said:

Colorado is having a tough year.  They're 5-6 and could miss the dance unless they pick it up.

True, but teams will get that video and run that defence.

[Taro T]

2 minutes ago, Marvin said:

True, but teams will get that video and run that defence.

Maybe.  Bandits have dealt with a lot of injuies and haven't been blowing people out.  But they still have only lost 2 games all year.  1 opening night against Albany who've only won once since and in Ra-cha-cha early in the year.

They're still the team to beat in the east until somebody knocks them off.

[Taro T]

Bandits converted a 4-1 lead at the end of the 1st into a 13-8 loss.

Colorado had Lee back for the 1st time since their opener. He had 5 helpers early in the 3rd. Williams and Robinson both had multiple goal games. Bandits couldn't solve Ward after the 1st. His coming out to the top of the crease caused the Bandits to send a lot of shots wide.

They play in San Diego next week in a battle of division leaders.

At least the Rock lost tonight too.

Bandits had Frazier back for his 1st game of the season.  (He'd been on their protected list before the season but didn't sign until late February.  Not sure why.)  He played well.  Getting Nanticoke and Brendan Robinson back will help the cause.  (No word on when they will be 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]

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.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[matter2003]

Bandits seem to be playing a lot of close games this year and some lower scoring ones too...seem to be less explosive offensively than in years past.

Edited March 26, 2023 by matter2003

[Taro T]

15 hours ago, matter2003 said:

Bandits seem to be playing a lot of close games this year and some lower scoring ones too...seem to be less explosive offensively than in years past.

Well Conner Fields wasn't protected in the expansion draft and the Kin-ig-hit Hawks traded for him and they are now a game back of the Bandits.  Also, Frazier has only played 1 game.  Byrne missed about 6.  Nanticoke missed the past 3 and Brandon Robinson has been out the past 3 as well.  Plus Cloutier was hurt the 1st game and has only been back the past 3  games.  That's a LOT of offensive firepower to be missing.

They also tend to go run and gun even more than last season so they have a lot of 10 second or less possessions that end with a single shot as there is nobody around to pick up the loose ball after the shot.

They are not the juggernaut they were during the regular season last year.  That team ranked up there with the mid-90's squads.  Too bad Vinc ran out of gas and they couldn't figure out Colorado's D.  The way they have to battle for these wins rather than run away from anybody will hopefully serve them well when they get to the playoffs.  Hoping they find a way to stay in 1st because the 2nd and 3rd seeds are going to beat the snot out of each other before facing the conference winner that will get to play a much weaker Halifax or Filly.

Vinc looked spent the 1st 2 games but has been his normal self since.

If they can get the penalties under control - they take a LOT of penalties and not just the physical ones like they usually get; they also have a ridiculously large quantity of illegal substitutions; they should be in good shape as well.  How you have illegal substitution more than 3 times a year is boggling.  They do that twice a game.

Edited March 26, 2023 by Taro T

[Taro T]

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

 

 

[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 to Toronto Hamilton 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

[Sabres Super Fan]

Hopefully the Buffalo Bandits win the NLL championship this year because the Matt Vinc starting Bandits goalie window is closing and the Bandits are going to have to find a replacement starting goalie soon. Which will be difficult because it was before after Mike Thompson left. There is a goalie shortage of elite goalies in the NLL today. Go Bandits! Let’s Go Buffalo 

[Night Train]

Nice to see it on TV here in the States (ESPNU). I wish they were on more. It's a great watch, IMO. 

[PromoTheRobot]

14 hours ago, Taro T said:

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 to Toronto Hamilton 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

I didn't realize the Rock play in Hamilton. I wonder if locals are insulted by still calling the team "Toronto" and not Hamilton, or at least Ontario?

[Taro T]

Bandits are looking to lock up home field throughout the playoffs tonight in Albany as the 13-4 Bandits take on the 3-14 Firewolves.

Albany won the season opener in Buffalo.  

Game started at 7PM, but you can watch on delay on ESPN+ if you'd like.  (And you have ESPN+.)

[Taro T]

Bandits clinched home field throughout tonight in Albany.

They'll host the single elimination game against Ra-cha-cha on Saturday May 6 at 7PM.  (NLL website is showing Buffalo hosting Halifax, but the standings show Halifax in 3rd with the Kin-ig-hit Hawks in 4th (both with 10-8 records) and it looks like Halifax takes 3rd on the 3rd tiebreaker with a +8 goal differential in their 2 H-T-H matchups.)

Hopefully the Bandits get to the finals again with the 3rd time (in a row) being the charm.

Edit: and the Kin-ig-hits broadcast also said they play in Buffalo next weekend.

Edited April 30, 2023 by Taro T

[Taro T]

Was tied up all day and then went to the game last night so didn't have a chance to post a reminder the Bandits were playing last night.  They crushed the Kin-ig-hit Hawks 20-8 and will be playing whoever won in Hamilton starting Friday night.  That'll be a best of 3.  Expecting the game will be on ESPNU, but if not it will be on ESPN+.

Good crowd (the place was full except for the 300's below both goal lines which were nearly empty) and good energy.  Unlike last year when the Bandits steamrolled almost everybody then played very tight games at the end of the year and the playoffs, this team had a lot of injuries and won a lot of tight games throughout the regular season but have now rolled over their opponents 2 weeks in a row.  The opponent for the best of 3 will be tougher, but the Bandits are the healthiest they've been all year and Vinc looks like he's 10 years younger than he is.

Bandits were up 3-0 through 1, then the Kin-ig-hit Hawks tied it at 3 on a natural hattie by Cerrone and then tied it again at 4.  Then Buffalo scored the next 4 to lead 8-4 at the half.  Ra-cha-cha made it 8-6 and then Buffalo decided to run away with it.  It was 20-7 with about 6 minutes left when Vinc was pulled.  His backup played well only giving up 1 more.

Friday should be a fun one, but will be too busy to go to the game.  

Let's go BAN-DITS!

[Doohicksie]

Our local Fort Worth team, the Panther City Lacrosse Club, made the playoffs for the first time in their second year.  The only thing they got out of round one is experience, losing to Calgary 12-9.

[pastajoe]

47 minutes ago, Doohickie said:

Our local Fort Worth team, the Panther City Lacrosse Club, made the playoffs for the first time in their second year.  The only thing they got out of round one is experience, losing to Calgary 12-9.

Why are they called Panther City? I was wondering what city they played in.

[Doohicksie]

1 hour ago, pastajoe said:

Why are they called Panther City? I was wondering what city they played in.

It's a long story*, but it's kind of like Nickel City is to Buffalo, a nickname the city picked up along the way.

 

*A quick summary is that a 19th century Dallas lawyer said (tongue-in-cheek) that Fort Worth was such a sleepy little city that a panther came up from the Trinity River and fell asleep on a downtown street.  Fort Worth ran with it and started calling themselves Panther City.  You can find all the details here.

Edited May 8, 2023 by Doohickie

[Doohicksie]

As an aside, there is a bar that is vaguely Buffalo-themed here (as it looks like an "old men's tavern from Buffalo") called Nickel City.  In speaking to people drinking there, most have never heard Buffalo called "Nickel City."

Edited May 8, 2023 by Doohickie

[Taro T]

8 hours ago, Doohickie said:

It's a long story*, but it's kind of like Nickel City is to Buffalo, a nickname the city picked up along the way.

 

*A quick summary is that a 19th century Dallas lawyer said (tongue-in-cheek) that Fort Worth was such a sleepy little city that a panther came up from the Trinity River and fell asleep on a downtown street.  Fort Worth ran with it and started calling themselves Panther City.  You can find all the details here.

Interesting.  Always figured it referred to the number of 40-ish divorcees in the area.

Edited May 8, 2023 by Taro T