The Buffalo Bandits go Splitskies in Opening Finals Weekend
The Buffalo Bandits won game 1 and dropped game 2 to start the best of three championship series against the Saskatchewan Rush. Luckily for me, these games ended up being quite similar in style despite the different scores, making them easier to breakdown. In game 1, Buffalo needed a comeback to take the win 12-10. In game 2, Buffalo needed a comeback early, but it was the Rush coming back to win in the fourth quarter. The Bandits did not look great in either game, but they got the one win they needed.
The offense for both teams was quite streaky. I’m not sure if that is simply how this series is going to go or if either team can make the adjustments to be more consistent. The largest run by either team in the series so far was four goals by the Bandits to end game 1. On one hand, it’s great that Buffalo was able to stop any large runs by the Rush, but the offense went dry multiple times for too long. In game one, Buffalo scored 2 goals in under 1 minute, 3 goals in under 3 minutes, and 3 goals in under 3 minutes again. In game two, they scored 2 goals in under 1 minute and 3 goals in just over 4 minutes. Scoring in rapid fashion is great, but not when there is limited scoring outside of the quick runs. In game one, the Bandits went over 15 minutes without a goal and over 18 minutes without a goal before the empty netter to seal the game. In game two, Buffalo went over 11 minutes without a goal and over 14 minutes without a goal before Buchanan scored with 1:05 left in the game. These dry spells can’t happen, let alone long stretches twice in a game. I understand this is playoffs, the Rush are a very good team as is Frank Scigliano, but the Bandits need to find ways to score a bit more consistently throughout the game. As for the players, for the most part everyone is pulling their weight. Kyle Buchanan had one goal going into this series. As my player to watch for the finals he has added four goals, including a game one hattrick, as well as three assists. My co-host PK called on Josh Byrne (2g, 7a) and Dhane Smith (5g, 8a) to step up and both have. Dhane took over the second half of game one and led the Bandits to victory. Byrne has been a bit quiet in the goal department, but his presence has still been felt. The thing about players like Josh is that even if he isn’t scoring quite as well as he did throughout the season, he still draws plenty of attention allowing players like Ian MacKay and Clay Scanlan time and space to score. Speaking of Ian MacKay, he has continued his hot streak throughout the series with 6 goals and 3 assists, including a four-goal game one. The depth scoring has been decent with Chase Fraser scoring 3 goals and 2 assists on 12 shots, scoring nothing but highlight reel goals. Scanlan did a great job filling in for Chris Cloutier in game two, scoring 2 goals and 1 assist on just 6 shots. Tehoka Nanticoke has been the quietest of the forwards scoring no goals and 6 assists on 5 shots. He had a particularly rough game two missing plenty of passes as the offense tried to get him going. However, some of his primary assists have been great feeds and important to these close games. Twelve of Buffalo’s 22 goals came from inside on Scigliano. They need to continue to find ways to get on top of the crease, that is where they are finding their most success. The Rush deserve a lot of credit for what they have been able to do against this offense. They have both the defender of the year and the goaltender of the year on their side. Before the games against Buffalo, the Rush had not allowed more than 9 goals in a game during the playoffs. Clean up a few passes, score a bit more consistently and this team will be fine.
The defense has been as streaky as the offense. Neither side has put together a complete game in this series. The defense has shifts where they look great, and shifts where they look slow and out of position. The Rush have scored in similar fashion to the Bandits defense being very streaky. In game one, they had three 2-goal runs. In game two, they had runs of three goals twice and two goals once. This shows that the defense is going through stretches where they have things figured out, and times they are let down. My biggest concern with the defense isn’t necessarily anyone’s stats, but instead the style we are seeing them play. Against the Vancouver Warriors the Bandits played a heavy press defense staying on hands the entire game. The Rush have a more balanced offense but far too many times the Bandits are allowing time and space for the Rush to shoot. The Bandits are doing a decent job of not allowing the Rush to have too many inside opportunities. However, it is the mid-range shots that are proving to be lethal for the Rush. Often when I go through my goals against breakdown the goals aren’t the defenses' fault or Vinc’s fault, they are simply great plays. In this series, I have a lot of goals against the defense. Whether it is a slow switch, a loose ball they can’t pick up, or allowing the Rush attackers too much time and space, they have plenty they need to clean up. It is not the dominating defense we saw in the first two rounds of the playoffs. I think they can make the adjustments and be that defense again, we’ll just have to see if they do it. The Bandits combined for 23 blocked shots and 17 caused turnovers with everyone pitching in in a variety of ways. This defense is still a dominating force. They simply need to clean up the mistakes and play a full 60-minutes.
The special teams have been limited but important. The Bandits have had two power play opportunities through two games. I know the Rush are one of the cleaner teams in the league, but that is a low amount, especially when the call in game two wasn’t even a penalty. The power play unit scored on their one chance in game one and missed on their chance in game two. The penalty kill did great in game one allowing no goals on two opportunities for the Rush. In game two, the Rush made a few adjustments and scored on two of their three chances. The power play needs to be able to capitalize on their limited opportunities while the penalty kill can’t allow the Rush power play to get going.
The definition of both games for the Bandits was sloppy play, but they don’t ask how, they ask how many. That number for Buffalo was one. That’s what they needed in the opening weekend. This is why they fought so hard to be the top team throughout the season. This is why home field advantage throughout the playoffs is important. The Bandits will have to prove just how important it is as the deciding game three runs through Banditland. Can the Bandits become the second team ever to win three championships in a row, or will it be the Rush beating them in the finals once again. It all comes down to Saturday.
Game 1
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.
Frank Scigliano
Inside – 6
Mid-Range - 3
Outside – 2
Transition - 1
*1 goal was on the penalty kill
*1 empty net goals
Matt Vinc
Inside – 4
Mid-Range - 5
Outside – 1
Transition - 0
*0 of the goals were on the penalty kill
Goal 1 – Walter left alone right on the crease for a quick one timer (D)
Goal 2 – Anderson beats Wyers to the net and beats Vinc on a crease dive
Goal 3 – Shanks left wide open on top of the crease for another quick one timer (D)
Goal 4 – Defense doesn’t step to Haley, lets him walk in, pick his spot and fire (D)
Goal 5 – Messenger scores from downtown, one Vinc needs to save (V)
Goal 6 – The defense does not step to Shanks who finds a perfect far side bouncer (D)
Goal 7 – A bit of a quick shot that caught Vinc off guard but looked like he could have had it (V)
Goal 8 – Manns with a nice step back shot over Vinc’s shoulder
Goal 9 – Defense loses Keenan who gets a nice mid-range shot off over Vinc’s shoulder again
Goal 10 – Shanks grabs a rebound off a Vinc save, takes his time and beats him high
2/10 on Vinc
5/10 on the defense
Challenges by the Bandits – 1/1
The Bandits challenged the good goal call scored by Rush forward Levi Anderson. The ball ended up going off Vinc, off the post, off Vinc and in. While that was all happening, Anderson stepped into the crease before the ball crossed the line. In my opinion, the referees correctly overturned the call. The Bandits would score on the very next possession. Big swing for the game, great challenge by Tavares.
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 – 1-1 on the PP
Rush – 0-2 on the PP
T. Nanticoke – Roughing – This was sold well by Jay and a weak call by the referees. They often get the second man in, but it wasn’t much of a punch – iffy call
Z. Belter – Roughing – This was a horrible call. Belter defends his teammates, doesn’t throw a single punch and simply pulls Rush players off his men – bad call
J. Byrne – Roughing – This was a fair call as Byrne and Shanks got tangled up and had a small scuffle – good call
J. Byrne – Roughing – Byrne and Messenger went back and forth, you either take both or neither, they took both – good call
2.5/4 – good calls
Game 2
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.
Frank Scigliano
Inside – 6
Mid-Range - 1
Outside – 3
Transition - 0
*0 goals were on the penalty kill
* empty net goals
Matt Vinc
Inside – 5
Mid-Range - 5
Outside – 1
Transition - 1
*2 of the goals were on the penalty kill
Goal 1 – A missed shot by Smith resulted in an odd man transition opportunity for the Rush and Boudreau buries it
Goal 2 – Shanks shoots early in the shot clock as Dawson does not get out to him quick enough
Goal 3 – Priolo doesn’t switch fast enough to Keenan who has time and space to pick his spot
Goal 4 – PP Goal – Keenan shoots through the screen to beat Vinc
Goal 5 – Belter slow to set up on Manns who fires a quick shot (D)
Goal 6 – A broken play as the Wyers and Weiss can’t find the loose ball leaving MacKay to defend a 3-on-1 before Boudreau scores (D)
Goal 7 – Dawson must play a bit stronger on Haley but it took a ridiculous finish to score the goal
Goal 8 – Walter shoots around a screen but from that distance it’s one Vinc needs (V)
Goal 9 – PP Goal – Manns fires a good shot from the top of the set-up
Goal 10 – Again, multiple players cannot pick up the loose ball before it finds Shanks who finishes in tight (D)
Goal 11 – Belter got caught watching on a switch leaving Shanks to run free to the net (D)
1/11 on Vinc
3/11 on the defense
Challenges by the Bandits – 0/1
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 – 0-1 on the PP
Rush – 2-3 on the PP
T. Nanticoke – Roughing – Punched Boudreau in the face right in front of the referee, that will be called every time – good call
N. Weiss – Illegal Cross Checking – I could see this going both ways. Both players were called on a foul. I think the refs could have let both go, or called both, either way it’s fair – good call
J. Byrne – Illegal Cross Checking - If you’re going to hit him, make sure you get him, and Byrne got him – good call
J. Byrne – Illegal Cross Checking – I can see what the referee saw in the moment, which was the player’s head snap, but Byrne set a hard pick on the player’s shoulder. It was a change of possession, not a penalty – bad call
3/4 – good calls