The Buffalo Bandits experienced their fifth loss of the season last Saturday, marking their fourth consecutive defeat. The team is now facing a challenging stretch with 10 regular-season games remaining.
Ian MacKay, who contributed three goals and two assists in the recent game, commented on the team’s situation: “We can be better and want to be better.” Two of MacKay’s goals were disallowed after review determined the ball had not fully crossed the goal line.
Despite the losing streak, head coach John Tavares remains focused on moving forward. “We still feel we are a really good lacrosse team, and regardless of the record, the next game (@ Halifax) is the most important,” said Tavares.
Attendance at KeyBank Center reached 19,070 as fans braved cold weather to support the Bandits. With a break in NHL action for the Olympics and other local teams out of season, attention has shifted to the Bandits’ performance.
Tavares acknowledged challenges in maintaining leads late in games. “We need to find a way to win, discipline, and be better,” he said. The team lost despite holding a two-goal lead with six minutes left in regulation.
Dhane Smith led with 22 shots but managed only two goals. He also provided five assists. Josh Byrne went scoreless for the game and has scored three goals over his last three outings but added four assists against Philadelphia. Smith expressed confidence in Byrne’s abilities: “I feel he’s not used to not scoring. He’s one of the best goal scorers in the game. Yeah, he’s snake-bitten a bit, but I have to encourage him to keep doing what he’s doing, and the goals are going to fall eventually… We’ve all been there. Sometimes it’s not your night, and he gets so much attention from defenders every night. Josh is going to find his way. I’m not worried about him.”
The Bandits face upcoming road games against Halifax Thunderbirds—who share an identical 3-5 record—and then travel further west for a matchup with Vancouver Warriors.
Controversy arose during Saturday’s contest when two potential MacKay goals were overturned by crew chief Chris Williams after video review from multiple angles showed that neither shot fully crossed the goal line as required by league rules.
According to National Lacrosse League Rule Book section 17.81 and related rules (2.2, 4.1, 4.2), a goal is only awarded if the ball completely crosses a two-inch-wide white line between posts; netting must allow this passage without obstruction.
