For the third time this decade, the Buffalo Bandits will play for National Lacrosse League supremacy in the Champions Cup title game. This all comes about thanks to a terrific 19-12 win over the New York Titans tonight at HSBC Arena, played before a paid crowd of 11,012 fans. The Bandits will face the Portland Lumberjax, who advanced in the other semifinal by defeating Calgary tonight at the Pengrowth Saddledome.

With Ken Montour in net for the Bandits, the team got off to its usual sloppy start, falling behind 2-0 early and giving away the ball often, while unable to mount any kind of scoring threat. John Tavares finally got the Bandits on the board with a nifty wraparound goal scored from behind the net. The wild quarter continued with the teams exchanging goals, but Buffalo got three in a row late, including Billy Dee Smith’s wraparound which looked identical to Tavares’ earlier play.
Mark Steenhuis broke in all alone in the first minute of the second quarter to give Buffalo a two goal cushion, and New York immediately answered. Buffalo then took control of the game with three straight tallies - Brent Bucktooth’s second shorthanded goal of the night, then Kevin Dostie and Mike Accursi scored back to back goals late and the teams headed to the locker rooms at halftime with the score 9-5 Bandits. Said Bucktooth “Special teams are an important part of the game, and since coming back off my injury I’m just glad I am able to contribute.”

Buffalo took command of the game in the third, but shaky goaltending at the Buffalo end and former Bandits Pat Maddalena and Casey Powell doing the damage for New York brought this game to within two. Kevin Dostie’s much needed power play goal at the 13:40 mark gave Buffalo a 13-10 lead after three.

Buffalo’s Mark Steenhuis electrified the crowd in the first minute of the 4th with two straight goals to give Buffalo a 15-10 cushion. That was enough to give the hook to New York goalie Matt Vinc in favor of backup Erik Miller.

Then things got ugly. New York’s Rory Smith and Buffalo’s Ian Llord got into a spirited fight right along the Buffalo bench, with Llord delivering the best of the licks. As the two were escorted to their penalty boxes, Llord was raising his arms and leading the fan cheers. Apparently Smith didn’t like what we saw, because he ran over to the Buffalo box and cold cocked Llord. That was enough to earn Smith a game misconduct and the extra two minute penalty.

After that the Saints’ wheels came off. Steenhuis scored his sixth of the night at the 3:41 mark, then his seventh, tying a NLL playoff record, just 40 seconds later. “Mark had a couple of tough games and put a lot of pressure on himself to score some goals” said Coach Darris Kilgour. “Hopefully he got the monkey off his back.” Mike Accursi scored a highlight reel goal all alone in front of the New York net. It was party time at HSBC Arena.

The Titans tried pulling their goaltender, but Buffalo played keepaway for the duration, including during a late four minute penalty on Ian Llord, who got into another needless fight. As the final seconds ticked off, the fans gave their team a lengthy and loud ovation, and the players joined in the celebration.

Almost overlooked in tonight’s game was John Tavares scoring 12 points on 3 goals and 9 assists. “He got the quietest 12 points ever” said Kilgour. “I had no idea he had 10 assists, that’s how quiet he is, that’s how unassuming he is. He’s been through everything there is.” Talking about next week’s game, Tavares said afterwards “Hopefully third time’s a charm” referring to the two championship losses in recent seasons. “We’re just fortunate to be back in this situation.”

Asking Coach Kilgour who the Bandits match up better against in next week’s game, he replied “Definitely Portland. Playing Calgary is almost a mirror image of us, and that game would most likely come down to goaltending. With Portland, we can use our style of play more effectively than against Calgary.”

Is this the Bandits year? Is this the Bandits time? The team is peaking at just the right time, their stars are playoff tested and experienced, and five straight playoff appearances under Kilgour coached teams have resulted in brutal disappointment, a feat no one in the Bandits clubhouse want to repeat. Mark Steenhuis is happy and excited to be playing in another championship game. “I wish we could play every game here (in Buffalo)” said Steenhuis. “Hopefully we get to win a championship for these fans and this city.” But Steenhuis doesn’t want to take anything for granted either. “You don’t want to think this is our time. You just want to stay focused. I’ve been in two since being here and lost both of them. I want to end this streak this year.”

Game time next Saturday is 7:30PM and tickets are on sale at the arena box office and through tickets.com. To a man, every player has saluted the great fans of Buffalo and how much they have helped the team in this exciting playoff run. Let’s fill HSBC Arena to the rafters and help the Bandits bring the Champions Cup to Buffalo next Saturday!

-Add Annoying Game Night Host Guy to the cast of looney tunes in Banditland. During a media timeout late in the second quarter, the mascot did his t-shirt toss and AGNHG was yapping and exhorting the crowd in ear splitting fashion, which continued on endlessly as play resumed and the Bandits were killing a penalty.

-Next Saturday’s Champions Cup game will be nationally televised LIVE, coast to coast across Canada (The Score) and the United States (ESPN2)

.-Best sign? Had to be the seven shirtless teenagers with B-A-N-D-I-T-S painted on their chests. They got three appearances on the video board tonight.

-Kilgour has not decided yet on who he will start in goal next Saturday, but he is leaning towards Mike Thompson. “It’s still up in the air” said Kilgour, and he will also consult with his players to assist him in making the decision.

-Portland squeaked into the playoffs with a 6-10 record in a weak West Division. Buffalo defeated the Lumberjax 14-10 at HSBC Arena in the final regular season game on April 26.

-Buffalo has won three championships in their franchise history - in 1992, 1993 and 1996. They went to the finals twice in recent years, losing in Calgary on the road in 2004 and to Colorado at HSBC Arena in 2006.

Mark Steenhuis addresses the media after the game

Fans were lined up ten deep at the ticket windows to get their seats for next Saturday’s championship game.

-Andrew Kulyk

Tonight at HSBC Arena the Buffalo Bandits defeated the Philadelphia Wings 14-12 in the first round of Champions Cup action, before a happy and boisterous crowd of 9344 orange and black clad fans.

I didn’t need to be in my seat at HSBC Arena in time for the 7:35 faceoff. I started the evening at Dunn Tire Park at the Bisons game, caught an inning there, and as soon as I headed out the door and down Washington Street, I could hear Annoying P.A. Guy being piped out on the streets of downtown. “What’s he Got!!???”…. “Steenhuis!…… Ohhhh…. No goal…crease violation”. This silly screeching circus… only in Buffalo!

By the time I got settled, meeting up with Pete, who was already at the game, it was 4-1 Philadelphia, thanks to three straight Philly goals midway through the first quarter, as the Bandits sleptwalked through most of the opening frame. Said Mike Accursi “I think our sticks were a little too tight and it took and it’s an important game for us and we realized that after a bit.”

Buffalo came storming back in the second quarter, scoring five straight of their own, none prettier than John Tavares’ goal which tied it at 5, wide open in front of the goal receiving a lead pass from Roger Vyse. Seconds later, Billy Dee Smith gave the Bandits their first lead of the night, and one could feel the momentum shift in the building. Buffalo added two more before the half, taking an 8-6 lead into the locker room at halftime.

While Buffalo’s Delby Powless got the third quarter’s first goal to give the Bandits a three goal cushion, the Wings stepped up the physical aspect of their game and made this one interesting. With Wings leading scorer Athan Iannucci leading the way, Philadelphia rattled off the last four goals of the quarter, which ended 10-9 Philadelphia after three.

The season being on the line, it was the Bandits who came out smoking in the fourth, taking control of the game by confounding the Philly attackers as they tried to transition out of the defensive zone, and getting key blocks and intercepting passes to keep the Wings hemmed in deep. After going scoreless for over a quarter, Delby Powless finally got the the equalizer at the 4:58 mark, then it was the Mike Accursi show, scoring Buffalo’s 11th and 12th goals. Kevin Dostie gave Buffalo a two goal cushion with a huge goal, his third of the night with a little over three minutes left, then Buffalo wisely used the clock on their possessions to kill off precious time. Dostie said there was no sense of panic. “I think our team is used to it” said Dostie. “That’s when we battle our hardest and it’s tough being in close games like that. Hopefully next week we can walk away with one and not worry about it.”

Billy Dee Smith was also a huge factor in tonight’s game, scoring two goals, including an empty netter in the final minute. Philly added one more late and the game ended 14-12.

This game could be broken down into a tale of quarters, with Philadelphia controlling play in the 1st and 3rd, while the Bandits were in command in the 2nd and 4th. Said Coach Darris Kilgour “It hit us as we headed into the 4th… This is it. This could be our season. Let’s just quit complaining and put our heads down and get to work.”

Kilgour explained that his strategy of conceding faceoffs and concentrating on the transition game worked to his team’s advantage. “I think it frustrated them a lot more than the last game.” Kilgour also admitted that the uncharacteristic lack of penalty trouble was also not a factor. “You know what? We don’t talk about that anymore. We don’t care as long as in the course of the game we don’t do anything stupid after the whistle. We’re an aggressive team, and that’s the way we play and it’s worked out pretty well for us.” Accursi added “It makes every possession that much more important. It adds pressure to the defense but to the offense too. We know they are going to get 26 more possessions so every progression is important.”

The Bandits await the winner of Saturday night’s game between the New York Saints and the Minnesota Swarm. Whoever wins that game will come to HSBC Arena to play the Bandits in round two of the Champions Cup playoffs. Said Kevin Dostie, “Of course the home floor is an advantage and we have the best fans in the league. Us knowing they wanted another game gave a lift to the entire bench. Hopefully they will be there to cheer us on next game.”

Faceoff next Saturday is 7:30PM at HSBC Arena. Bandits Media Director Ashley Scanlon reports that should the Bandits win that game, the NLL Champions Cup game will be played on Saturday, May 17 at HSBC Arena. That game will be televised nationally across the USA and Canada.

-Best sign of the night: “Bandits ticket $25, Prom tux $40, Limo $140…Skipping out on date to go to Bandits game, Priceless!”

-Props to Annoying P.A. Guy for one good laugh…he asked for a cheer from the folks in the 300s. The upper deck was empty!

-And speaking of Annoying P.A. guy, there was one point the 4th quarter, about midway. Buffalo had taken an 11-10 lead at the time and looked like they were clearly taking control of the game. During a media timeout, the crowd started a spontaneous cheer which grew and grew into a standing ovation. It was an absolutely electric moment. Thankfully, he kept his yap shut and let the crowd take over.

-Most hilarious moment down in the locker room after the game came courtesy of goalie Mike Thompson. With a portly build and not exactly a qualifier for a model in an underwear catalog, Thompson stepped out in the hall to address the media bare chested, wearing only his goalie pants held up by suspenders. The second he spotted the TV camera from Channel 7 waiting with the writers, he exclaimed “Omigosh A TV camera, I’ve got to get a shirt!” He high tailed it back to the locker room, emerging 30 seconds later wearing a t-shirt and his hair quickly combed.

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

Whew!

The Buffalo Bandits won a nailbiter tonight at HSBC Arena, defeating the Colorado Mammoth 12-11 before a crowd of 16,905.

Nothing came easy for Buffalo tonight, as the team had few chances to penetrate a tight Colorado defense which did not give inside lanes to shoot easily. When the Bandits did get inside, they took advantage of their opportunities.

The Bandits welcomed back former star player Mike Accursi to their lineup, who they acquired from the Edmonton Rush just before the trade deadline. Accursi appeared in 73 games with the Bandits from 2000 through 2004, scoring 146 goals and 111 assists for 257 points during that time. “When I got the news I felt like I was coming home” said Accursi, who shook off getting his bell rung in the 4th quarter and scored a key goal late in the game.

Both teams started out slowly tonight, with no scoring and few chances until Bandits goaltender Mike Thompson stopped a Colorado breakaway cold midway through the first period. That sparked the Buffalo bench and Mark Steenhuis answered a few seconds later with the first goal of the game. Buffalo made it 2-0 late in the period when Roger Vyse scored shorthanded, after being left all alone on front of the Colorado net.

With the Bandits ahead 4-1 in the second quarter, the team would get into huge penalty trouble and that would prove costly. Rich Kilgour went off at the 7:12 mark with a 5 minute high sticking penalty. In that stint Buffalo would also commit two minor penalties, providing the Mammoth with a two man advantage on two occasions.

Colorado capitalized with four goals during all that mess, and just like that the score was tied at 5.

Buffalo recaptured the lead late in the second with nifty back to back goals by SteenhuIs and Kevin Dostie. Colorado answered in the waning seconds and the Bandits went to the locker room at the half with a 7-6 lead.

All the scoring in the 3rd quarter came late – Buffalo opened a 9-6 lead, Pat McCready completing a tic-tac-toe play with the help of Delby Powless and John Tavares. Seconds later Cory Bomberry scored off a long shot. Colorado cut it to 9-7 with another late goal in the final seconds.

Buffalo’s 11th goal, coming halfway through the 4th quarter, was the prettiest of the night, coming off the stick of Accursi, who accepted a feed pass from Steenhuis, who patiently waited until Accursi got open. “I knew that the pass would be coming my way and Mikey picked the perfect time to send the feed. From there it was nothing but net for me” said Accursi.

Colorado wouldn’t go away, however, cutting the deficit to one goal, 11-10 on a power play goal. On an ensuing Bandits power play, the Bandits Delby Powless gave the team a two goal cushion with 4 minutes left in the game. Colorado immediately brought it to within one, and final two and half minutes provided that exciting edge of year seat action which makes this game so exciting. The Mammoth had three key possessions in that time and swarmed the Buffalo net, but could not get the equalizer. With the Mammoth goalie pulled Buffalo finally got the ball deep into Colorado territory as the final seconds ticked off, giving the Bandits a one goal win.

A happy and relieved Coach Darris Kilgour said that shots tonight were hard to come by. “We kind of went about things backwards. I stressed during pregame practice… outside shots, stretch the defense, yet they collapsed well into the middle. Give them a lot of credit, they battled well for 60 minutes.”

Kilgour also heaped praise on his goaltender, Mike Thompson, who came up huge again and again, especially when the game was on the line, facing 56 shots and recording 45 saves. “There was never a doubt that he was our number one. It seems that he got his focus back and played a tremendous game” said Kilgour.

With the win the Bandits improve their record to 8-5, and are right in the thick of things for a playoff berth come May, now in third place but just half a game out of the division lead. The team travels next week to Rochester, where they will play the Knighthawks at Blue Cross Arena, before returning home in two weeks to face the Chicago Shamrox, who they beat in Chicago earlier this year. Just three games left in the regular season, get your tickets and head on down!