NLL Buffalo Bandits

Smith Scores in Overtime to Reach 900 Career Points

February 19, 2023 - National Lacrosse League (NLL)
Buffalo Bandits News Release


Similar to their first matchup of the year which Buffalo won 13-9 on January 27, the Bandits surged in the second half to earn a win over Philadelphia and improv to 8-2 on the season.

"From all of our wins this year, that was definitely my favorite win," Tavares said. "They could've easily given up, but they didn't."

The Bandits, already playing without Josh Byrne and Chris Cloutier, dealt with injuries during the game to Tehoka Nanticoke, Ian MacKay and Brandon Robinson were all hurt during the game.

Despite being bit by the injury bug, the Bandits offense remained potent, with Smith recording 10 points, Brad McCulley posting nine (4+5) and Kyle Buchanan registering seven (1+6).

Tavares gave credit to his players for responding to that adversity, while also quipping about getting back out on the field himself.

"That's why I called the timeout," he said. "I was trying to buy some time to get some gear on."

Philadelphia's efforts were led by Mitch Jones (2+6), Joe Resetarits (3+4), Blaze Riorden (2+3), and Ben McIntosh (3+2).

Matt Vinc protected Buffalo's net with 40 saves on 52 shots while Wings goaltender Zach Higgins stopped 41 of 54.

McCulley put Buffalo on the board first, 1:32 into the game, spinning past a Philadelphia defender and burying one home 1:32 into the game, but the Wings eventually went on a run to end the first quarter up 6-3.

With Buffalo up 3-2 with 7:28 remaining, the Wings went on a 4-0 run to close out the first 15 minutes.

Both teams clamped down defensively in the second quarter with only two goals apiece allowed. The Bandits went into the half trailing 8-5 and would not regain the lead until Ian MacKay scored with just 3:14 remaining in the third quarter.

However, a snipe from McIntosh 27 seconds later tied things up again, and the Wings retook the lead when Jones beat the buzzer to put Philadelphia up 11-10 heading into the fourth quarter.

The back-and-forth affair continued into the fourth, with MacKay scoring once again to even the score 11-11 with 10:59 remaining. After a chippy tie up, Wings defenseman Chad Hutton landed a punch on Dhane Smith, sending him to the box.

McCulley answered the call for the Bandits, adding his fourth of the game on the power play to give the Bandits a one goal advantage with 9:24 remaining.

With 4:13 left in the matchup, however, Riorden capped off his night to tie the game once again.

As the clock ticked down to the wire, crucial chances from both teams were turned aside by Vinc and Higgins to send the game to overtime.

Is there anything The Great Dhane can't do??

The game would be Buffalo's first venture into overtime this season and Smith made no mistake. He muscled his way to the front of the net for his 24th goal of the season.

Smith currently leads the league with 82 points and 58 assists with eight games remaining.

The Bandits will now enter another bye week where they have a chance to get healthier and reset. When Buffalo returns to action, they will be in Halifax to take on the Thunderbirds on March 3.

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National Lacrosse League Stories from February 19, 2023


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