NLL Buffalo Bandits

Bandits win home opener, 13-10, over Rock

by Todd Devlin
Published on January 22, 2006 under National Lacrosse League (NLL)
Buffalo Bandits


The Buffalo Bandits took advantage of a balanced attack and a strong third quarter on Saturday night, as they defeated the Toronto Rock, 13-10, in front of 13,072 fans at the HSBC Arena.

With the win, the Bandits improved their record to 2-0 this season, with both their victories coming against the defending champion Rock.

Toronto, meanwhile, has looked anything but defending champs, as they now sport a record of 0-4 on the campaign. In fact, Saturday's loss marks the first time in franchise history that the Rock have dropped four consecutive contests.

Veteran forward John Tavares led the Bandits offence, as the 5-foot-11, 175-pound Toronto, ON native tallied two goals and five assists. Lindsay Plunkett scored three times and assisted on another, while Delby Powless (1G, 3A) also recorded four points on the evening.

Determined to secure that elusive first win of the season, the Rock came out firing on all cylinders. After recording just two goals in his previous three contests, forward Blaine Manning matched that total within the first 4:50 of the game. Colin Doyle, Toronto's leading scorer, then followed with his eighth of the season to give Toronto a quick 3-0 lead.

However, the Rock would quickly see their lead evaporate as Buffalo went on to score the next four goals.

With the game knotted at four after two quarters, the Bandits took control in the third, outscoring the Rock 6-3 in the frame to take a comfortable 10-7 lead. Five different Buffalo players notched a goal in the quarter, including two by defenseman Billy Dee Smith.

The three goal deficit proved too much to overcome for the Rock, as the two teams traded goals in the fourth quarter en route to the 13-10 final.

Fresh off a 56-save performance last Friday night that earned him Defensive Player of the Week honours, Buffalo goaltender Steve Dietrich picked up his second straight win on the young season. The 2005 Goaltender of the Year award winner stopped 39 of 49 shots on the night.

Bob Watson, meanwhile, made 38 saves on 51 total shots for the Rock.

The Bandits controlled the face-offs on the evening, winning 18 of 27 in the contest.

The Rock (0-4) will return home on Friday, January 27th for a 7:30 PM ET start against the expansion Edmonton Rush at the Air Canada Centre.

The Bandits (2-0) are back in action on Saturday, January 28th, as they travel to Rochester for an 8:05 PM ET start against the Knighthawks at the Blue Cross Arena.

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National Lacrosse League Stories from January 22, 2006


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