Buffalo Bandits Caught in the Riptide
The Buffalo Bandits lost a close game 13-15 to the New York Riptide on Friday night. The Bandits found themselves in a 7-goal hole early in the game and could not quite climb out of it. They were able to tie the game 13-13 late in the fourth quarter but NY immediately responded with a goal to end the game. The team needs to find a way to play more consistently every quarter as the season goes on.
In a game when the team scored thirteen goals, there were not a lot of negatives to take from the offense. I thought Riptide goalie Cameron Dunkerly played a good game but there were times the Bandits hyper focused on scoring low on him which he appeared to have covered. I would have liked to see the offense find more ways inside and throw a couple of fakes to get Dunkerly off his game. They found success doing this throughout the game but at times were too complacent and settled for outside shots that were not getting past the goalie. In the first half they appeared to pass more and were doing a nice job using pick and rolls to get inside looks. In the second half, they seemed to move away from this more than I would have liked. Chris Cloutier seemed a bit quiet in this game as well. He was still working hard and setting picks but with no points and only five shots it would have been nice to see him step up just a bit more.
In my opinion the defense was the story of the game. We all know Jeff Teat is an incredible player who is going to put up points every single game. However, allowing him to get 4 goals and 6 assists for 10 points on only 10 shots is inexcusable. He was given too much time and space to make magic happen. The entire first half the offensive players for the Riptide were given too much space to operate in. Their shots and passes were going virtually uncontested. That is the main reason the Riptide were able to score 11 goals on just 19 shots (on net) in the first half. In the second half, the Bandits defense played more aggressively and turned the game around. However, it is difficult to dig yourself out of a 7-goal hole. I also mentioned on our last show that it was only a matter of time before Stephen Keogh started finding the back of the net. Sadly, he picked the game against the Bandits to turn it around with four goals and one assist. Matt Vinc allowed a few soft goals and did not have as many “big” saves as you would like to see but the defense let him down in the first half before the entire team put it together in the second half.
The Bandits need to eliminate their “one bad quarter” of play. In their first game against Albany, they allowed eight goals in the second quarter. In a tight game against Georgia, they only allowed a maximum of four goals in the fourth quarter. In a complete win against San Diego, they did not allow more than three goals during any quarter. Playing against Colorado they did allow five in the third quarter, but they had built a lead that allowed room for a bad quarter, still not what you want to see. In a comeback win against Rochester, they allowed seven goals in the first quarter and in the close loss against NY they allowed eight goals in the second quarter. If the Bandits can limit opposing teams from having that one explosive quarter, they will find more success in the win column.
Last week the Bandits special teams had a bit of a down week, and I was not worried. I am starting to become a little worried. The Bandits went 1-for-4 on the powerplay this week including a 5-on-3 opportunity. That is not acceptable with an offense this talented and in a game like this, it came back to bite them. The Riptide are one of the best teams in the league on the powerplay. They were able to score on two of their four opportunities, not including two goals they scored on delayed penalties with an extra attacker on the field. Both Bandits special teams’ units need to be better if this team wants to start winning again.
After six games the Buffalo Bandits find themselves sitting at 3-3, in 6th place in the league. They have a tough stretch of four games where nothing gets easier for them. The good news is that this team can string multiple wins together and we have watched them do it for years. They need to start with a big game this upcoming weekend against the undefeated Toronto Rock. If the Bandits can defeat the Rock, I believe they will regain their momentum and get their season turned around. Sitting at 3-3 is not where we want the Bandits to be, but it could be worse.
Goaltender Breakdown
In this segment, I will breakdown how the goalies, offense and defense all performed on the goals in the game. How many were impressive goals, breakdowns in the defense or on the goalie.
Cameron Dunkerly
Inside – 8
Mid-Range - 2
Outside – 3
Transition - 1
*1 goal was on the penalty kill,
Matt Vinc
Inside – 5
Mid-Range - 3
Outside – 2
Transition - 1
*2 of the goals were on the penalty kill
*2 on delayed penalties with an extra man
Steve Orleman
Inside - 1
Mid-Range -
Outside - 1
Goal 1 – Transition breakaway, hit Vinc stick between the legs but couldn’t keep it out
Goal 2 – Scramble after a rebound allowed Keogh a good look on net
Goal 3 – Great btb pass by Teat got O’Connor open right in front of Vinc
Goal 4 – Looked like Vinc did not see the ball very well but one you want to have
Goal 5 – Quick inside shot by Matisz on a great pass from Teat, not great play by Wyers or Spanger
Goal 6 – Great shot by Teat, Vinc moving right to left, Teat shot it back the way Vinc was moving
Goal 7 – Extra attacker on a delayed penalty, dunk from behind the net, nice set up
Goal 8 – Extra attacker on a delayed penalty, Teat with a btb pass to Keogh, great feed, great goal
Goal 9 – PP goal – Jeff Teat too much time and space for a player that good
Goal 10 – Great pass, terrible defense
Goal 11 – PP goal – bad positioning by Orleman but tough situation for a backup
Goal 12 – Tough angle shot, off the post and in but one Vinc needs to have
Goal 13 – Nice play by the offense, caught Justin Robinson a little in between plays allowing Keogh a nice shot
Goal 14 – Great give and go goal finished by Teat
Goal 15 – Empty net
2/15 on Vinc
4/15 on the defense
Challenges by the Bandits - 0
Referee Corner
Like many of the fans out there, I find myself often questioning what the refs are doing on the field. From no goals and players being ejected, to calls that simply do not make sense. In this segment, I will attempt to use the rulebook and my best judgement to understand some hot topics from the previous game.
Bandits – 1-4 on the PP
Riptide – 2-4 on the PP
Dylan Robinson – Dead Ball Foul – This occurred after the Riptide had just scored a goal on a delayed penalty. Robinson did throw a cross check and light slap to a Riptide player’s head. It seemed like a weak call, but the refs were likely trying to keep the game under control – goodish call
Carter McKenzie – Holding Stick – I have no idea. The play happens quickly. Jeff Teat sets a pick on McKenzie and then quickly loses his stick. McKenzie did not seem to fight it too much, but it happened too fast to really seem like holding the stick unless he immediately grabbed his stick and threw it, which was the reaction Teat gave and I have not seen him as much of a diver so far in his career – good call
Dylan Robinson – Checking from Behind – While the ball was in the air Robinson got behind the Riptide player and shoved him in the back. However, it was more of a push than a check. I do not think it deserved a two-minute minor – bad call
Ian MacKay – Roughing – MacKay got an extra roughing minor for his part in the end of game scrum, there was only three seconds left so who cares – good call
2.5/4 – good calls
For the most part the referees were fine in this game. There were a few missed calls here and there but the impact on the game was minimal and that is what we are hoping for from the refs.