Arizona Remains in Second Place Despite Road Loss
Published on April 7, 2007 under National Lacrosse League (NLL)
Arizona Sting News Release
BUFFALO, NY --- On the strength of a 43-save performance from defending National Lacrosse League MVP Steve Dietrich and hat tricks from Roger Vyse, Mark Steenhuis, and Brett Bucktooth, the Buffalo Bandits handed the Arizona Sting their worst loss of the season on Saturday night, winning by a score of 15-5 at HSBC Arena.
"Full marks to the Bandits, they played a great game tonight," said Head Coach/GM Bob Hamley following the loss. "They outplayed us in every aspect of the game and we've obviously got a lot of work to do between now and our next game on Friday. We're very disappointed with this loss."
Despite the loss, Arizona remains in second place in the NLL's West Division with a record of 9-5. A win by the Sting in either of their two remaining games will give them a franchise-record ten wins and ensure a home playoff date at Jobing.com Arena.
The Bandits opened the scoring on Saturday night, as rookie Brett Bucktooth netted his ninth goal of the season in transition to give the home team a 1-0 lead 4:37 into the first quarter. The Sting responded on the very next possession however, as Dan Dawson beat Buffalo goalie Steve Dietrich with a well-placed shot to tie the match at one apiece. The Bandits re-took the lead at the 10:39 mark of the opening frame, as Delby Powless registered his 17th tally of the season on a rocket of a shot that starting goalie Rob Blasdell was unable to catch up with. John Tavares then scored on a one-timer to put Buffalo up by two 1:28 later, and a second goal from Bucktooth then made the score 4-1 as the first quarter came to an end.
Buffalo continued their offensive productivity in the second quarter, going up 6-1 on the strength of back-to-back goals from Kevin Dostie near the middle of the frame. Dostie then set Mark Steenhuis up for a goal at the 11:35 mark of the second to put the Bandits up 7-1. Arizona then got some offensive support from an unlikely source, as Bruce âThe Desert Rat' Codd scored on a breakaway to pull the Sting to within five of the Buffalo lead. A goal from Roger Vyse with 0:21 remaining in the first half then gave the home team an 8-2 lead as the match reached its midway point.
The third period opened with a quick goal off of the stick of Mark Steenhuis, who bulged the twine 1:04 into the second half to make the score 9-2 in favor of the home team. The Bandits went up by eight goals 1:08 later, as John Tavares set up Delby Powless for his second goal of the night. The tenth Bandits goal of the match brought an end to Rob Blasdell's night, as the veteran net minder was pulled in favor of Mike Attwood following Powless' goal. On a delayed penalty call, Lindsay âChainsaw' Plunkett tallied his 31st goal of the season to pull Arizona to within a converted touchdown of Buffalo with 9:22 remaining in the third period. Former NCAA All-American Brett Bucktooth then put the finishing touches on his second straight hat trick, as the Syracuse alumnus scored at the 9:21 mark of the third. Thirty-six seconds later, the Bandits struck again, as Kyle Laverty scored his fourth goal of the season to make the score 12-3. Former Bandit Chris Seller then beat Dietrich through the five-hole on a semi-breakaway to produce the fourth Sting goal of the night with 2:27 remaining in the third. A no-look, over-the-shoulder goal from Roger Vyse then made the score 13-4 as the penultimate quarter came to an end.
Mark Steenhuis scored his third goal of the game 1:10 into the fourth quarter to propel Buffalo's lead into double digits. Roger Vyse then beat Attwood with a low shot to give the Bandits a hat trick of hat tricks. A power play goal from Curt Malawsky with 5:19 remaining in regulation made the score 15-5, which was how the match ended.
The ten-goal Sting loss is the team's most lopsided defeat since February 29, 2004, when they were downed by the Calgary Roughnecks by a score of 14-4 at the Pengrowth Saddledome.
Sting Captain Peter Lough was disappointed with his team's effort on Saturday night.
"This was a very frustrating game to have been a part of," said Lough. "We're a much better team than we showed out there tonight and we definitely have a lot to improve on for next weekend."
Up next for the Sting are the 7-7 Calgary Roughnecks. Arizona can clinch a home playoff game with a win over the Riggers on Friday night at Jobing.com Arena. The following night the Sting will travel to the North Star State to wrap up the regular season with a Saturday night showdown versus the Minnesota Swarm.
National Lacrosse League Stories from April 7, 2007
- Wiles, Doyle Total Five Points Each To Lead San Jose Past Rush 9-8 - San Jose Stealth
- Philadelphia tramples over Titans - Philadelphia Wings
- Arizona Remains in Second Place Despite Road Loss - Arizona Sting
- LumberJax held off by San Jose, 9-8 - San Jose Stealth
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