With the NHL Stanley Cup Playoff banner displayed overhead, the Buffalo Bandits kept their own playoff hopes alive with a 13-10 victory over the Toronto Rock.
The Bandits opened the scoring on a shot from Mark Steenhuis just 1:07 into the game. Assisted by Sean Greenhalgh and John Tavares, the goal would set-off a flurry of Bandits tallies to follow.
Mike Accursi found the net twice and Mark Steenhuis netted another from the ground to gain a Bandits lead of 4-1 lead at the end of the first quarter.
The offensive blast would continue in the second quarter when John Tavares netted his first goal of the game on a pass from Sean Greenhalgh and Frank Resetarits. In just 21 minutes of play, Tavares had tallied five points (1+4).
Shortly after Tavares’ goal, Rock goaltender Steve Dietrich took to the turf after starting goaltender Bob Watson allowed five goals on just eleven shots and was pulled.
However, that would not deter the Bandits as Frank Resetarits nailed one home with just 3:03 remaining in the half. Just 45 seconds later, Brett Bucktooth would extend the Bandits’ lead to 7-2 at the end of two.
“We had a great first half,” Head Coach Darris Kilgour said. “Mike did a great job and he was rock solid in the first half.”
Continuing the momentum into the third quarter, John Tavares netted his second of the game and Mike Accursi netted his third. The goal also marked Accursi’s 200th Career Goal.
However, penalties would again plague the Bandits shortly thereafter, allowing the Rock to score all four of their goals on the power play.
“We had complete control of the game going into the half and we talked about it in the lockeroom not taking penalties because that was the only way they would get back into the game,” Mike Accursi said. “But we stayed patient and focused and ultimately got it back together to get the win.”
With the crowd of 18,575 strong behind them, the Bandits would begin to extend their lead 10-8 on a short-handed goal from rookie defenseman Chris Corbeil for his third of the year.
The Bandits defense stepped it up even more after Garrett Billings and Blaine Manning tied it up early the fourth. Responding with two goals of their own to regain the lead, both Mike Accursi and Mark Steenhuis put the Bandits back in the game before Kyle Schmelzle clinched the victory 13-10 on an empty net.
Mike Thompson’s performance tonight also played a large role in the win. The goalie made 48 saves on 58 shots.
With the win tonight, the Bandits are still tied for third in the East with Boston and Rochester, and are just a half a game behind Toronto.
The Bandits now 7-7, will make their first ever road trip to Orlando to face-off against the Titans at the Amway Arena this week on Friday, April 16 at 7:35 p.m.
The Bandits then return home for their final game of the 2010 regular season on Saturday, April 24 against the Boston Blazers. Game time is 7:30 p.m., for tickets click here.
Source: Bandits.com
