Stealth Held up by the Bandits
April 25, 2015 - National Lacrosse League (NLL)
Vancouver Stealth News Release
Vancouver, BC (Saturday, April 25, 2015) - The Vancouver Stealth came up short in their final regular season game away from home as the Buffalo Bandits defeated Vancouver 17-9 at the First Niagara Centre on Saturday night.
Corey Small netted a hat-trick (3g, 1a) and Logan Schuss scored a team-high 6 points (2g, 4a) while Rhys Duch finished with 5 points (1g, 4a) for Vancouver.
Ryan Benesch, Dhane Smith and Mark Steenhuis all had big games for the Bandits, each scoring 9 points. The NLL's All-Time Leading Scorer John Tavares also chipped in with a 6 point night for Buffalo.
The game was a back-and-forth battle for the first three quarters with neither team able to get a run going until the fourth quarter. After the Bandits opened the scoring, Tyler Digby scored his 34th of the season when he beat Anthony Cosmo at the 4:55 mark of the first quarter to tie the game at 1-1. Corey Small scored a natural hat-trick in the second quarter but the Stealth still trailed 6-5 at the half.
The third quarter was another tight frame with Vancouver goals coming from Logan Schuss and Ilija Gajic, who took advantage of a Bandits turnover in the neutral zone and scored on a breakaway for his 10th of the season. Ryan Benesch answered for Buffalo to take a 9-7 lead into the fourth quarter.
With Vancouver looking to answer early and cut the lead to one, it was the home team that put together an impressive run, scoring seven straight goals which sealed the deal. The Stealth would get goals from Duch and Digby in the final minutes of the game.
Despite the loss, the Stealth will have a chance to clinch their ticket to the playoffs next weekend in their final game of the regular season when they host the Calgary Roughnecks on Saturday, May 2 at the LEC. The winner of that game gets the final playoff berth in the NLL's West Division. After the game, BC minor lacrosse players who wear their jerseys will be invited down to the turf for the 'Stealth Experience.' Kids will get the opportunity to play with the Stealth where they will have a chance to shoot on a Stealth goalie, pass the ball with a Stealth player, get autographs and other lacrosse activities. As a part of the 'Stealth Experience', BC minor lacrosse players get in for free when they wear their minor lacrosse jerseys. For full details on how to reserve your tickets and take part, visit www.StealthLAX.com for all the details.
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National Lacrosse League Stories from April 25, 2015
- Minnesota Swarm's Comeback Not Enough against Edmonton - Minnesota Swarm
- Stealth Held up by the Bandits - Vancouver Stealth
- Black Wolves Fall at Rochester 14-6 - New England Black Wolves
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