Another Dominant Win By The Bandits

On Saturday evening the Portland Lumberjax entered HSBC Arena in Buffalo looking to avenge their 14-13 loss in last years Champion’s Cup final. Portland was coming off three weeks rest (and limited playing time in the past two months) while the host Buffalo Bandits was coming off their first two game losing streak of the season. With Portland playing better than a lot of people expected of them this season and the Bandits on top in the East, this game promised to be a great one. And it didn’t disappoint, at least for the first half anyhow.

The Bandits wasted little time getting on the scoreboard as Mark Steenhuis’ first shot of the game beat Matt Disher just 13 seconds into the first quarter causing Banditland to erupt. Portland quieted the crowd just over two minutes later as Tim Campeau’s shot found it’s way past Ken Montour. The next twenty-seven and a half minutes saw some great lacrosse on display. There were a lot of big hits, mostly thrown from the Bandits, some big saves from both ends and some excellent off ball battles. Buffalo emerged from the first half with a 5-3 lead.

Quarter three was a continuation of the first half until Portland gave into their frustration and got into penalty trouble. Three straight penalties, one a five minute major, three straight powerplay goals by the Bandits and the Lumberjax were down 8-4 with just under twenty minutes to play. Portland relieved some of their frustration after Buffalo’s ninth goal as Brodie Merrill squared off with Brandon Francis and big 6-10 David Morgan danced with Billy Dee Smith. Portland gained no energy or momentum from the skirmishes and Buffalo went on to score five goals in the last quarter for a 14-4 victory.

John Tavares (4G,3A) led all scorers with seven points while teammates Mark Steenhuis (1,5) and Cory Bomberry (3,3) had six apiece. Sean Greenhalgh (2,2) and Mike Accursi (1,3) had four points and Roger Vyse scored the other two goals. Ken Montour made 34 saves in net while earning a Bandits record for fewest goals allowed in a game. For Portland, five players had two points each: Tim Campeau (1,1), Brodie Merrill (0,2), Derek Malawsky (1,1), Ryan Powell (0,2) and Cory Conway (1,1). Peter Morgan scored a single goal.

Portland has a home and home series with San Jose next weekend while Buffalo hosts New York Saturday night.