There wasn’t much that went the Buffalo Bandits’ way Saturday night. Flying into Minnesota after a loss at home to the Philadelphia Wings on Friday, the Bandits dropped a 19-11 decision to the Swarm. It was Buffalo’s first-ever loss in Minnesota.
Angus Goodleaf made his first start of the season in goal for Buffalo (2-2) and allowed three goals on the first seven shots he faced. When Minnesota took a 7-2 lead on their fourth straight goal 5:03 into the second quarter, Goodleaf was pulled in favor of Friday’s starter, Mike Thompson. The switch didn’t do much to swing the momentum the other way, however, as Minnesota (1-1) scored three more goals before the half ended.
Goodleaf would be back in net to start the third quarter but not necessarily because of Thompson’s play in relief. As the horn ended the second quarter, at least three fights broke out in a benches-clearing brawl between the two teams.
Before the start of the season, John Tavares said that he’ll keep playing professional lacrosse as long as he doesn’t start embarrassing himself. He may have been half-joking at the time, but if the NLL’s all-time leading scorer — in his 21st season — keeps having games like the one he had against Rochester, he might be playing for a long time to come.
Tavares led the way for Buffalo with four goals and four assists in the Bandits’ 12-9 victory over the Knighthawks on Satuday at Blue Cross Arena in Rochester. Buffalo (2-0) scored four consecutive fourth-quarter goals in a span of 3:14 to pull away from Rochester (1-1). Tavares tied the game at six at the 10:18 mark of the third quarter and went on to add two goals and two assists on four of the Bandits’ five goals in the final frame.
The Bandits entered the fourth quarter with a 7-6 lead following forward Chad Culp’s go-ahead goal at the end of the third quarter. Tavares earned his hat trick as he opened the scoring 44 seconds into the fourth on the power play to extend the lead. But Rochester’s Stephen Keogh scored his second goal of the night on the next possession to put the Knighthawks within one. It’s as close as Rochester would get for the rest of the game.
The Buffalo Bandits used their off-season to improve the offense and their moves proved to pay dividends in the team’s season opener Saturday night.
Luke Wiles, acquired in a trade with Washington, scored a second half hat trick to lead the Bandits (1-0) to a 14-10 win over their divisional rival, the Toronto Rock (0-2) at First Niagara Center. Wiles wasn’t the only new Bandit to get on the score sheet. Mat Giles and Kevin Buchanan each added a pair of goals in their Bandits’ debuts.
The Bandits also received a stellar game from their starting goaltender, Mike Thompson. With 46 saves, head coach Darris Kilgour called a stick save on Dan Carey in the third quarter the turning point of the game.
The Buffalo Bandits today announced the team will continue its partnership with McDonald’s by offering fans the McDonald’s Family 4-Pack during the 2012 National Lacrosse League regular season.
The McDonald’s Family 4-Pack includes four 300 level tickets, 40 Chicken McNuggets, four medium fries and four medium soft drinks. The package is priced at $89 and will be available to fans for all Bandits 2012 regular season home games and the 2012 NLL All-Star Game.
The promotion will begin with Buffalo’s January 14 home opener vs. the Toronto Rock, as the Bandits will look to avenge their 12-11 home playoff loss to the defending NLL champions in the 2011 East Division Final. All Bandits home games will begin at 7:30 p.m., while the All-Star Game is slated for a 7 p.m. start.
Starting at just $25, individual home game tickets are now on sale for the Buffalo Bandits 2012 National Lacrosse League season, which includes the 2012 NLL All-Star Game on Saturday, Feb. 25 at First Niagara Center.
To purchase tickets, you can visit the First Niagara Center box office, call 1-888-467-2273, or visit www.bandits.com for more information.
Buffalo’s open practice will take place on Saturday, Dec. 17 from 10 a.m. until noon, with doors opening at 9:30 a.m. Afterwards, an hour-long autograph session featuring all practice participants will begin at 12:30 p.m. in the 100 level concourse.
The National Lacrosse League announced today that the league has reached a two-year agreement with CBS Sports Network to air NLL games during the 2012 and 2013 seasons. The national television package for the 2012 season features five regular-season and three post-season games, including the 2012 NLL Championship Game. All games will air live on Saturday evenings, marking the first primetime weekly television package in league history. All games will also be broadcast in High Definition.
“We’re excited to have a television partner that is committed to the sport of lacrosse and the National Lacrosse League”, said NLL Commissioner George Daniel. “CBS Sports Network is a fast-growing network, and we look forward to showcasing the hard-hitting and high-scoring action of the NLL.”
Buffalo Bandits Director of Lacrosse Operations Scott Loffler today announced the team’s coaching staff for the 2012 National Lacrosse League season.
General Manager Darris Kilgour, the winningest coach in NLL history, is entering his tenth season as head coach of the Bandits. The Niagara Falls, NY native was a two-time All-American lacrosse player at Niagara Wheatfield High School and was Buffalo’s first draft pick in team history in 1991. A three-time All-Pro, Kilgour helped the Bandits win three championships in 1992, 1993 and 1996, and coached Buffalo to another title in 2008. He led Buffalo to an East Division regular season championship with a 10-6 record in 2011.
The Buffalo Bandits announced the team has traded a conditional fourth-round pick in the 2013 NLL Entry Draft to the Minnesota Swarm in exchange for forward Mat Giles, pending league approval.
The pick is conditional on Giles being on the Bandits roster or practice squad at any time in 2011 or 2012. Should Giles not make the Bandits active or practice roster, Buffalo will instead send their sixth-round pick in the 2013 Entry Draft in place of the fourth-round selection.
Giles is a 15-year NLL veteran that has scored 463 points (209+254) in 176 career games. He registered 43 points (16+27) in 16 games with the Swarm last season. Giles scored a goal and an assist in both meetings against Buffalo in 2011.
The National Lacrosse League has released Buffalo’s 16-game schedule for the 2012 NLL regular season.
Schedule highlights include the Jan. 14 home opener vs. the Toronto Rock, as the Bandits will look to avenge their 12-11 home playoff loss to the defending champions in the 2011 Eastern Division Final. The two teams will meet at least three times in 2012, twice in Buffalo.
The Bandits continue their interstate rivalry with the Rochester Knighthawks with three regular season games, one of which is at home on April 21.
Buffalo will take on the Western Division champion Washington Stealth twice this season. The schedule includes two Friday night games and a Sunday afternoon contest. The Bandits will play every NLL team at least once in 2012.
Buffalo Bandits Director of Lacrosse Operations Scott Loffler today announced that Buffalo will host the 2012 National Lacrosse League All-Star Game at First Niagara Center on Saturday, Feb. 25 at 7 p.m.
“We are extremely proud and excited to be hosting the 2012 NLL All-Star game,” said Loffler. “The Bandits and Sabres organizations, First Niagara Center and the City of Buffalo are known for putting on first-rate world-class events…this will be no different.”
The event marks the first professional all-star game in the 15-year history of First Niagara Center.
The Buffalo Bandits selected Jeremy Thompson with the ninth overall pick in the 2011 NLL Entry Draft and acquired six other prospects during the draft that was held in Toronto this week.
Thompson (01/03/87, 5’11’’, 194 lbs.) played two seasons for Syracuse University where he amassed 33 goals and 53 points in 32 games, earning All-American honors in both seasons. The 24-year-old midfielder from the Onondaga Nation previously spent two years with junior college powerhouse Onondaga Community College (OCC), helping the team go undefeated (31-0) en route to two NJCAA championships.
In the second round, the Bandits drafted left-handed defenseman Jeff Cornwall with the 15th overall pick. Cornwall (6’ 2’’, 200 lbs.) most recently played for his hometown Jr. A Coquitlam Adanacs, where the physical defender helped anchor a defense that yielded less than seven goals per game on average.
Buffalo Bandits Director of Lacrosse Operations Scott Loffler today announced that the team has signed defenseman Scott Self to a three-year contract, pending league approval.
The Peterborough, Ont. native said he is looking forward to continuing his career in Buffalo.
“I wanted to get a deal done,” Self said. “I’m glad to be back in a Bandits uniform this year.”
Self appeared in 15 games for the Bandits last season, compiling 10 points (2+8), 77 loose balls and a career-high 36 penalty minutes. Self scored the game-winning goal in overtime to lift the Bandits to a 15-14 win vs. Toronto in Week 3 of the 2011 NLL season.
The Buffalo Bandits announced that they have acquired forward Luke Wiles from the Washington Stealth in exchange for a pair of draft picks, pending league approval.
Wiles made his first career NLL All-Star game appearance in 2011, a season in which he posted 60 points (29+31) and only 6 penalty minutes. Wiles finished the season tied for fifth in the league with nine power play goals. In three playoff games, he added nine more points (2+7), a career high.
Since his 2006 All-Rookie NLL debut, the Orillia, Ont. native has compiled 363 points (159+204) in 91 games. Wiles has dressed for all but six games during his career and has scored at least 20 goals in each of his six seasons.
The draft picks traded by the Bandits are a third-round selection in the 2011 NLL Entry Draft (23rd overall, previously acquired from Minnesota) and Buffalo’s second round pick in the 2012 draft.
The National Lacrosse League is pleased to announce the six finalists for the NLL Hall of Fame Class of 2011. There are three first time nominees on the ballot: Pat Coyle, Steve Dietrich and Bob Watson. They join the three returning nominees, Troy Cordingley, Ted Dowling & Curt Malawsky.
Following the 2011 season, fans were invited to offer their suggestions as to who should be considered for induction as part of the Class of 2011. All suggestions were considered by the League’s Hall of Fame Committee. Voting begins later this week, and the Hall of Fame Class of 2011 is expected be to announced on July 25th.
The National Lacrosse League Hall of Fame was established on June 16, 2005, and inducted its charter members in 2006. The Hall of Fame currently has 16 members, and has also recognized two members of the media. For more information on the Hall of Fame, please visit NLL.com/HallofFame.
The Buffalo Bandits have been in existence for 20 years now. They’ve won championships, four to be exact and have had a winning program nearly every season. Still, there’s been but one constant throughout the history of the franchise, and that’s spectacular play from John Tavares.
The 42-year old has been around since the team’s first and season and 20 years later is still putting up incredible numbers. In 16 regular season games last season, Tavares led the Bandits with 32 goals and 78 points as Buffalo finished 10-6 and advanced to the East Division finals before losing to eventual NLL champion Toronto. Tavares also made the NLL All-Pro Team for the 18th time in 20 years.
During that time Tavares has nearly wrote the NLL record book. His career totals of 724 goals, 823 assists and 1,547 points are the most the league’s ever seen and it’s not even close.
The National Lacrosse League today announced that Buffalo Bandits forward John Tavares has been named NLL Second Team All-Pro for the 2011 season.
Tavares led all Bandits in goals (32), assists (46), points (78) and game-winning goals (3) in 2011. He has now led the Bandits in scoring in 16 of the team’s 20 seasons of existence, never finishing a campaign worse than second among Buffalo runners in total points.
This season, Tavares extended his league-record career scoring totals, becoming the first player in league history to reach 700 goals, 800 assists and 1,500 points and the second to reach 2,000 loose balls. His 1,547 career points are over 400 more than the next highest active player.
The Buffalo Bandits saw their season come to an end after their 12-11 loss to Toronto Saturday night in the East Division final. Read how it all went down from Zach Zielonka, who covered the game.
It’s playoff time for another team in Buffalo. The Bandits are in action tonight at the HSBC arena as they face the Boston Blazers in the NLL East Division semi-final. This is Buffalo’s ninth straight trip to the postseason. Buffalo won two of the three times they faced Boston this year, but the Blazers won the most recent meeting.
Get your live updates all game long right here with Zach Zielonka as the Bandits look to win their fifth NLL championship and first since 2008.
The Buffalo Bandits today announced plans to host a pre-game “Party in the Plaza” before Saturday’s 7:30 p.m. match-up with the Boston Blazers in the first round of the 2011 NLL Playoffs.
The party will kick off at 5 p.m. in the HSBC Plaza area located near Perry St. and Illinois St. and will continue until 7 p.m. Festivities will include free live music from local rock band The Filter Kings, with food and beverages available for purchase. Fans are asked not to bring coolers or chairs due to the volume of fans expected to attend.
Fans attending the game will also receive a 2011 Buffalo Bandits team photo.
The Bandits will look to eliminate the 8-8 Blazers after winning two of three regular season contests between the teams. A win would pull them within two games of their fifth league championship in franchise history.
The Buffalo Bandits (10-6) will march into the playoffs on a losing note, as the team dropped its regular season finale to the Rochester Knighthawks (10-6) by a score of 15-9 inside HSBC Arena on Saturday night. However, the Bandits will still enter the 2011 postseason as the East Division champions.
The Bandits got off to a rocky start as Rochester took a commanding 7-1 lead in the first quarter. Buffalo had to play catch-up for the entire game, but could only close the deficit to two goals and ended up dropping the contest by six goals in front of a sellout crowd of 18,690 fans in attendance.
“We made a couple adjustments on defense, but we dug such a hole. Our offense tried to get us back into it, but we had a couple bad breaks,” said Head Coach Darris Kilgour. “There’s bad breaks and stuff that you can’t foresee happening, but at the same time, we need to come out with a better focus.”
If the Buffalo Bandits are to win the NLL championship this year, they’ll be doing so without the services of forward Brandon Francis. The league has suspended Francis for the Bandits’ regular season finale Saturday and the playoffs, four games in all.
The suspension is for a variety of accrued reasons according to the Bandits’ front office, stemming from his pummeling of Boston’s Jack Reid near the conclusion of last week’s game at the HSBC Arena. He was suspended one game for leaving the bench, another for accruing three game misconducts this season, a third for his second instigating penalty on the same player and the same season, and a fourth for another game misconduct (every game misconduct after three is an additional game suspension).
Francis had a goal and two assists for Buffalo in 10 games this season and led the team with 53 penalty minutes.
See the top for video of the brawl. Francis pounds this guy to no end.
The Buffalo Bandits today announced plans to thank their fans for all their support in 2011 by hosting “Fan Appreciation Night” this Saturday when the Bandits take on the Rochester Knighthawks at 7:30 p.m. in their final game of the regular season.
Bandits fans have once again shown up in droves this season to support the team on their way to clinching the NLL Eastern Division regular season title. The Bandits’ average attendance of 16,868 fans per game leads the NLL entering the final weekend of the season and gives Buffalo a chance to top 17,000 fans per game for the third time in franchise history.
As a thank you to the season ticket holders who help make this possible, the Bandits are giving away autographed Bandits jerseys throughout the game. Lucky winners randomly selected from all season ticket holders will join the team on the field after the game to receive their jerseys.
The National Lacrosse League today announced that the Buffalo Bandits will host the Boston Blazers in the first round of the 2011 NLL Playoffs. The teams will square off at 7:30 p.m. on Saturday, April 30 at HSBC Arena.
Tickets for the game will go on sale Friday, April 22 at 9 a.m. and start at $27 for 300 Level and 100 Level III seats. Tickets can be purchased in person at the HSBC Arena Box Office, by calling 1-888-467-2273 or online at www.bandits.com or www.tickets.com.
This is Buffalo’s eighth division championship in the franchise’s 20-year history. The team has missed the playoffs only three times in franchise history, and will see postseason action for the ninth consecutive season. The team’s 16 previous playoff appearances included four championship runs in 1992, 1993, 1996 and 2008.
Buffalo clinched first place in the Eastern Division with a Toronto loss on Saturday, cementing their first-round playoff match-up with the Blazers. The division title and second place finish in the league guarantee the Bandits at least one more home game should they advance past the first round.
The National Lacrosse League today announced that Buffalo Bandits goaltender Mike Thompson and transition player Tom Montour each earned Player of the Week honors for Week 14 of the 2011 NLL Season.
Thompson faced 93 shots in back-to-back road games in Toronto and Rochester and stopped all but 16 to lead the Bandits to a 2-0 record for the weekend. He made 36 saves in an 11-8 win at Toronto, and 41 at Rochester to squeeze out a 9-8 victory. The Toronto win gave Buffalo the Eastern Division lead, and the win at Rochester left the Bandits one win from clinching the division title.
Thompson improved to 10-1 on the season, with a career-best goals against average of 9.16. His .796 save percentage leads the league. Thompson was named Overall Player of the Week for Week 9 with similar numbers (67 saves on 83 shots) in a nearly identical back-to-back series against Rochester (11-8 win) and Boston (9-8 win).
There wasn’t much that went the Buffalo Bandits’ way Saturday night. Flying into Minnesota after a loss at home to the Philadelphia Wings on Friday, the Bandits dropped a 19-11 decision to the Swarm. It was Buffalo’s first-ever loss in Minnesota.
Before the start of the season, John Tavares said that he’ll keep playing professional lacrosse as long as he doesn’t start embarrassing himself. He may have been half-joking at the time, but if the NLL’s all-time leading scorer — in his 21st season — keeps having games like the one he had against Rochester, he might be playing for a long time to come.
The Buffalo Bandits used their off-season to improve the offense and their moves proved to pay dividends in the team’s season opener Saturday night.
The Buffalo Bandits today announced the team will continue its partnership with McDonald’s by offering fans the McDonald’s Family 4-Pack during the 2012 National Lacrosse League regular season.
Starting at just $25, individual home game tickets are now on sale for the Buffalo Bandits 2012 National Lacrosse League season, which includes the 2012 NLL All-Star Game on Saturday, Feb. 25 at First Niagara Center.
The National Lacrosse League announced today that the league has reached a two-year agreement with CBS Sports Network to air NLL games during the 2012 and 2013 seasons. The national television package for the 2012 season features five regular-season and three post-season games, including the 2012 NLL Championship Game. All games will air live on Saturday evenings, marking the first primetime weekly television package in league history. All games will also be broadcast in High Definition.
Buffalo Bandits Director of Lacrosse Operations Scott Loffler today announced the team’s coaching staff for the 2012 National Lacrosse League season.
The Buffalo Bandits announced the team has traded a conditional fourth-round pick in the 2013 NLL Entry Draft to the Minnesota Swarm in exchange for forward Mat Giles, pending league approval.
The National Lacrosse League has released Buffalo’s 16-game schedule for the 2012 NLL regular season.
Buffalo Bandits Director of Lacrosse Operations Scott Loffler today announced that Buffalo will host the 2012 National Lacrosse League All-Star Game at First Niagara Center on Saturday, Feb. 25 at 7 p.m.
The Buffalo Bandits selected Jeremy Thompson with the ninth overall pick in the 2011 NLL Entry Draft and acquired six other prospects during the draft that was held in Toronto this week.
Buffalo Bandits Director of Lacrosse Operations Scott Loffler today announced that the team has signed defenseman Scott Self to a three-year contract, pending league approval.
The Buffalo Bandits announced that they have acquired forward Luke Wiles from the Washington Stealth in exchange for a pair of draft picks, pending league approval.
The National Lacrosse League is pleased to announce the six finalists for the NLL Hall of Fame Class of 2011. There are three first time nominees on the ballot: Pat Coyle, Steve Dietrich and Bob Watson. They join the three returning nominees, Troy Cordingley, Ted Dowling & Curt Malawsky.
The Buffalo Bandits have been in existence for 20 years now. They’ve won championships, four to be exact and have had a winning program nearly every season. Still, there’s been but one constant throughout the history of the franchise, and that’s spectacular play from John Tavares.
The National Lacrosse League today announced that Buffalo Bandits forward John Tavares has been named NLL Second Team All-Pro for the 2011 season.
The Buffalo Bandits today announced plans to host a pre-game “Party in the Plaza” before Saturday’s 7:30 p.m. match-up with the Boston Blazers in the first round of the 2011 NLL Playoffs.
The Buffalo Bandits (10-6) will march into the playoffs on a losing note, as the team dropped its regular season finale to the Rochester Knighthawks (10-6) by a score of 15-9 inside HSBC Arena on Saturday night. However, the Bandits will still enter the 2011 postseason as the East Division champions.
The Buffalo Bandits today announced plans to thank their fans for all their support in 2011 by hosting “Fan Appreciation Night” this Saturday when the Bandits take on the Rochester Knighthawks at 7:30 p.m. in their final game of the regular season.
The National Lacrosse League today announced that the Buffalo Bandits will host the Boston Blazers in the first round of the 2011 NLL Playoffs. The teams will square off at 7:30 p.m. on Saturday, April 30 at HSBC Arena.
The National Lacrosse League today announced that Buffalo Bandits goaltender Mike Thompson and transition player Tom Montour each earned Player of the Week honors for Week 14 of the 2011 NLL Season.
