Bandits Let One Get Away

Saturday night saw the Minnesota Swarm enter the HSBC looking for a weekend sweep after a big win Friday night in Toronto. Buffalo, looking to remain unbeaten at home, jumped out to a 4-2 first quarter lead. That lead was extended to 8-3 at the 11:37 mark of the second frame forcing Minnesota to switch goalies. It must have been what the Swarm needed because six seconds later Kevin Buchanan scored his first goal of the game and within two minutes Minnesota scored three more to bring the score to 8-7 heading into the half.

The break didn’t slow Minnesota’s offense at all as Aaron Wilson scored his hat trick goal followed by Kevin Buchanan’s second of the game and Sean Pollock’s second of three. Mike Accursi stopped the bleeding by netting a powerplay goal to end the Swarm’s 7 goal run. Third quarter ended 10-9 in favour of the Swarm but it appeared the Bandits had them right where they wanted them. The crowd started to get back into the game following a fight between Travis Hill and Brandon Francis midway through the third period and some stellar play by goalie Ken Montour to keep the score close.

The fourth quarter was set to be a good one and the teams didn’t disappoint. Aaron Wilson opened the scoring 44 seconds into the period to increase the Swarm’s lead to two but then Buffalo rode the crowd to a five goal run and a three goal lead with less than five minutes to play. Minnesota countered with five of their own to reclaim a two goal lead. Cory Bom-Bom-Bomberry unleashed a cannon with 44 seconds left to make it a one goal game and with the seconds ticking away unleashed a second bomb that beat the keeper but not the crossbar. Game ended in a 16-15 victory for the Swarm, much to the delight of the group of Swarm fans in attendance.

The officiating in this game was suspect at times but thankfully didn’t seem to affect the outcome too much. The Bandits seemed to ease up some when they broke out to the 8-3 lead as Tavares seemed hesitant to shoot and Steenhuis forgot how to pass during the last part of the second quarter. Ken Montour’s performance was like a roller coaster, good for the first half then great in quarter three but couldn't keep the door shut in the final frame. The most impressive part of this game (most concerning for Buffalo) was the ease with which Aaron Wilson, Sean Pollock and Chad Culp were able to command the offensive zone. At least one of those three had a hand in 15 of Minnesota’s 16 goals. Aaron Wilson ended the game with 8 points (5,3), Sean Pollock 9 points (3,6) and Chad Culp 8 (2,6).