Buffalo Bandits head coach John Tavares has urged his team to return to fundamentals following two consecutive losses. The Bandits, who were limited to nine goals in each of their last two games, are seeking to avoid a third straight defeat for the first time since February 2024 as they prepare to face the Colorado Mammoth on Saturday at Ball Arena.
Tavares emphasized that the team continues to generate scoring opportunities but has been hampered by misfortune, such as a missed last-second shot by Dhane Smith during Buffalo’s attempted comeback against Ottawa. “Just get back to basics,” Tavares said.
After the 10-9 loss to Ottawa, Tavares stated, “scoring is an art.” He highlighted the need for more assertive play from all offensive players and encouraged secondary contributors to take more risks. “It’s about guys interjecting themselves somehow, whatever they’re good at,” he said. “Whether they’re choosing their side, speed, quickness, deception, or whatever it might be to create scoring chances, guys need to do that. We can’t just have two or three guys being a threat to the net. All the guys on the floor need to be a threat to the net. That’s more of my message to the secondary guys, we’re not just here like to take up space. You’re here to put the ball in the net or help get that ball into the net. I want everybody to be a threat.
“I don’t want just one guy to set picks the whole game and not think about the ball. I want everybody to set picks and think about getting the ball. It’s just a matter of guys not being afraid to step on anybody’s toes. With a couple of spots open on our lineup, it just kind of feels like guys are trying to feel each other out, not sure when they shouldn’t go to the net or try to go to the net or take a risk. I don’t want guys to be afraid of making (a) mistake out there, so you have to take some risk when you play on offense.”
Josh Byrne has recorded strong performances against Colorado in previous seasons with 20 goals and 30 assists in six regular season games; this includes a career-high seven-goal game in 2020 and ten points last season. Recently though, Byrne has only scored once per game over his past two matches—a stretch he hasn’t experienced since January 2023—despite taking 20 shots across those games.
“Josh is getting opportunities to score, that’s the positive,” Tavares said. “If he wasn’t getting opportunities to score, or if he wasn’t getting those shots, then it would be a problem. But when I look back at the game film, some of them are hitting the post, hitting the goalie’s butt end, hitting the goalie off the heel and instead of going in, it’s just going wide. He’s just not catching the breaks right now…the ball will drop eventually. I’m not worried about Josh. He’s a natural goal scorer both from the outside and inside.”
The upcoming match will be broadcast locally on CW in Buffalo; streaming will be available via ESPN+ and radio coverage through WWKB1520.
The Bandits announced roster changes ahead of Saturday’s game: defensemen Matt Spanger and Zack Belter were activated from injured reserve while forward Mike Triolo and transition player Ron John were released from active duty.
Belter was previously sidelined due to injury after returning briefly against Las Vegas earlier this month before exiting again during play.
“It’s good to have both of them back in the lineup,” Tavares said regarding Spanger and Belter’s returns. “Spanger has missed a good year now. Belter has missed a couple weeks, and as much as they’re a welcome back, our defense has been pretty good. They definitely bring size to our back unit and some familiarity which helps with cohesiveness of unit…I’m glad have both them back looking forward seeing Spanger back action he worked hard get back 100 percent.”
Spanger last played an NLL game nearly one year ago; his return follows extensive rehabilitation efforts while remaining involved with team activities during recovery.
“Obviously feel awful for guy he missed long period time,” Tavares added about Spanger’s absence.“…I can’t help but think about all heartache that he gone through.For me personally,I would hate miss one game let alone season worth games.He worked his way back,and at his age he’s got young family could easily just said ‘I’m done I’m not playing anymore.’ To go through this rehabilitation,time energy takes,kudos him went through all that,and he’s eager play again.”
The Colorado Mammoth enter Saturday’s matchup having rebounded from an early-season slump by acquiring forward Jack Hannah from Las Vegas Desert Dogs after suffering their third loss in December.The Mammoth have since won four straight games,outscoring opponents by sixteen goals.Hannah has contributed twenty-two points since joining Colorado including five-point performances in three out four appearances.
“He’s very athletic and has ability to create his own shot,” Tavares commented on Hannah.“He gets net ,has good outside shot ,has good size ,definitely not a pushover .He’s a physical player ,and he’s helped that Colorado team immensely.”
