The Buffalo Bandits are set to return to action on Friday night at KeyBank Center, facing the Ottawa Black Bears with a 7:30 pm start. The game will feature a Y2K theme, inviting fans to revisit the early 2000s.
This week in Buffalo features an extensive sports schedule, including games from the Sabres and the Bills’ divisional playoff against Denver on Saturday. The Sabres will play four times during the week, while the Bills’ playoff game is scheduled for Saturday afternoon following an earlier Sabres matchup.
Reflecting on last Saturday’s 12-9 loss to the Rochester Knighthawks, it was acknowledged that Rochester outperformed Buffalo. “It appeared the Bandits were a bit sluggish, a half-step behind, and not as energetic as they normally are in games like this,” remarked one fan at Blue Cross Arena.
Despite challenges, certain Bandits players received praise for their efforts. “Clay Scanlan and Tehoka Nanticoke,” said Bandits GM and defensive coordinator Steve Dietrich. “Tehoka is the guy who does all the grunt work, setting hard picks, cutting through the middle, and taking defenders with them to allow Dhane, Josh, and Bucky to get over the top.
“Clay is like an Energizer Bunny on the left side. This year, you see the maturation process, and he knows he’s a guy who can do more than just pick up loose balls; he has such a great touch.”
Dietrich also emphasized continued development among secondary scorers: “For our offense to continue on, we need guys like Scanlan and Nanticoke to take the next step, and they both have.”
The Bandits currently lead in several league categories. Their power play ranks first overall. They average 12 goals per game and have scored 19 goals while conceding eight in first quarters this season. Dhane Smith stands third in league scoring with 13 goals and 24 assists for 37 points over five games; Josh Byrne is eighth with ten goals and 23 assists for 33 points; Kyle Buchanan leads club shooting efficiency with nearly 40 percent (11 goals on 28 shots).
On defense, Buffalo tops blocked shots across the National Lacrosse League (NLL), totaling 43 so far this season—Paul Dawson shares first place individually with Robert Hope of Colorado at eleven blocks each.
“I really never went into the crease too much to block the shot, but with the rule you have to be quicker on your toes,” said Dawson regarding adjustments under new NLL rules about blocking shots. He added: “To be honest I didn’t really do a ton of it (standing in the crease area). I kind of always stayed at the top of the crease anyway to take an angle.”
Discussing team defensive philosophy before Saturday’s game, Dawson explained: “You have to adapt and change. I feel that I’ve always thought the game through and watched game tape… One thing we’ve always done since I’ve been here is by committee… making sure we get Matt [Vinc] the shots he wants. That’s why we’ve been so successful.”
Dawson also described his recent wrap-around shot attempt: “Maybe a couple of years ago if I had a higher vertical… It was kind of all I had being in the danger zone… I thought there was a little spot to sneak it in but it didn’t.”
Earlier this week Buffalo acquired transition player Mike McCannell from Philadelphia in exchange for a third-round pick in next year’s draft. McCannell previously played for San Diego and Philadelphia over three seasons with career totals including six goals and nineteen assists across fifty-one games.
Friday night’s contest will be broadcast locally on radio station 1520 AM The Bet as well as online via audacy.com. The pregame show starts at 7 pm with Steve Bermel joining coverage alongside Randy Mearns during halftime.
