The Buffalo Bandits took another step towards a playoff berth tonight at HSBC Arena, defeating the Chicago Shamrox 13-9 before a crowd of 13,633.

This one started brutally for the Bandits. The team displayed much of the rust and sluggish play which cost them dearly last week in Rochester, and the fans in attendance let the guys hear it with boos raining down, as the Bandits fell behind 3-0 in the first quarter. Chicago was scooping up loose balls, snatching rebounds and getting fresh shot clock opportunities, and controlling much of the play in the Buffalo end. “We were fortunate enough to keep the game close. But it’s not going to cut it next week or in the playoffs.” said Mark Steenhuis, who scored four goals tonight, including back to back goals in the 4th quarter.

Buffalo finally got on the board late in the 1st quarter on Mike Accursi’s first of four goals for the evening. “Sometimes it just takes on spark to start a fire” said Coach Darris Kilgour. “Mike Accursi was that spark tonight… That’s what we need.” Referring to that first goal, Accursi added “I thought there was a momentum shift”.

The Bandits began the second quarter with a 5 minute man advantage, and early on could not get control of the play. Until the third minute. That’s when the Bandits let loose with three straight goals in less than one minute’s time. Mike Accursi then made it 5-3 on a very odd goal, where Shamrox goaltender Matt Roik had pulled the net off its moorings, and Accursi plating the ball in the spot where the empty goalmouth stood. “I knew I was going to be able to get that wrap, because he (Roik) was out of position” said Accursi. “He’s not very patient and when he ripped that goal I knew all I had to do was get it over the line. I’m glad they actually counted that.” Has Accursi ever encountered a move like that? “No!” he replied while laughing. “I’ve never seen it but I don’t put it past Roik to do something like that.”

Buffalo took the lead for good at the 8 minute mark, with Accursi scoring at the edge of the goal crease, receiving a perfect feed pass from Mark Steenhuis. Said Accursi “We work on that in practice, that picking and rolling. Whenever we get together, we seem to work that pretty well.” Later in the quarter, goalie Ken Montour got in on the scoring, sending Roger Vyse on a long breakaway pass which Vyse connected.

In the 3rd quarter, the Bandits took complete control of the game, scoring three goals while holding the Shamrox scoreless. Two of the goals came off the stick of Mark Steenhuis. Chicago would not connect until the 5:05 mark of the 4th quarter to bring it to within six.

The Shamrox added three more to bring it to 12-9. Coach Darris Kilgour called a timeout with 5 minutes to go to try and settle the team down. Buffalo then killed off a 2 minute penalty where Montour made his best saves of the night. Mark Steenhuis added an empty netter in the last minute to seal the win.

After the game, Coach Kilgour gave props to Chicago’s goaltending and defense while expressing relief that that team overcame their first quarter snooze. “Yeah I could feel it on the bench and the guys could feel it. Once we got the one goal the weight came off the guys could relax a little bit and let the play come around instead of forcing it a little bit.”

Kilgour also indicated that if the team is locked into a playoff slot with little to play for next week, he plans to rest a few players to prepare for the playoffs. But if the team has a chance at clinching a home game? “If we have a shot at a home game I would definitely go for the win” Kilgour assured.

It all comes down to next week… Win and they’re in. Mike Accursi made some heartfelt comments to the fans after the game, and to the media he said “I love these fans. I love playing in Buffalo. I hope this is the last team I ever play for.” So there!

Gametime at HSBC Arena is 7:30 PM next Saturday against the Portland Lumberjax. See you there!

-Best sign: “Obama? Hillary? NO! Tavares for President.” Ummm… perhaps Prime Minister of Canada someday, but not U.S. Prez.

-Best gameday scratch: Annoying P.A. Guy was NOWHERE to be found tonight! We were treated to a sane announcer, some good music bumps and left the arena with our hearing intact.

-Making his media debut! Nathan Strang shot photo for WNYMedia tonight, his first sports credential evah! He reports that he enjoyed the media chair and will “absolutely” cover a game again. “It felt so weird walking on the field after the game to shoot video. I just followed the lead of the other camera guy and managed to stay out of the way while the team did their victory lap”.Some of Nate’s work tonight accompanies this story, and more shots and video clips will be posted soon on the WNYMedia main site.

-Shots on goal for the game: Buffalo 51, Chicago 49.

Photos by Nathan Strang

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