At the start of the month, Buffalo Bandits head coach John Tavares made it clear that team depth is crucial for playoff and championship success. “If we are going to compete in the playoffs and championship, we are going to need production from everybody on offense; you can’t rely on one or two guys – you need depth. When everybody is a threat out there, it’s hard to defend,” said Tavares.
The Bandits are currently facing a bye week after back-to-back losses, including a 10-9 defeat against the Black Bears. While some see this break as unwelcome, Tavares noted its value for recovery: “I get eager to play again, especially when you lose. Waiting two weeks is going to be a long time for me.”
Tavares has been seeking more consistency from his offensive lineup. Despite fielding seven forwards in their last game—Dhane Smith, Josh Byrne, Kyle Buchanan, Tehoka Nanticoke, Clay Scanlan, Ian MacKay, and Ryan Benesch—he expressed uncertainty about having found the right combination. “We are looking for that seventh offensive player who’s going to connect, providing secondary scoring or set picks,” he said during a radio pregame show. “Right now, I don’t know that we’ve found that combination.”
Smith contributed three goals and four assists in the most recent game and continues to average seven points per match. He addressed the team’s efforts post-game: “We need to step it up, and we’ll figure it out. It’s early in the season, and there are a few things we can work on and rise to the challenge.” Smith is on pace for his ninth season with over 100 points.
Looking ahead, Tavares emphasized putting players in positions where they can succeed: “All I can do is try to put people in positions to be successful… You have to be able to score to win.”
Kyle Buchanan discussed missed opportunities following their recent losses: “It’s hard because we are getting chances. We get a little bit lazy sometimes, and hot goalies are a bad excuse now.” Buchanan has tallied 18 points over his last four games and highlighted the importance of improving teamwork during practice.
On defense, Nick Weiss was noted for consistent performance across all games so far this season. Other defensive standouts included Kiel Matisz and Steve Priolo. Newcomer Mike McCannell also received recognition for adapting quickly since joining from Philadelphia: “These guys were great, getting me up to speed with conversations and X&Os during the week… Playing in front of 17 thousand is awesome. It’s a special place.”
Black Bears head coach Dan MacRae acknowledged Buffalo’s fans: “It’s a privilege to have a team and fan base like this in our league, and I know all of the guys feel that way… It’s an easy one to get up for.”
The Bandits will use their bye week for additional practice before resuming play against Colorado Mammoth on January 31 in Denver.
