Steenhuis, Buffalo Send Boston Home
from press releases
BUFFALO, N.Y. - The Buffalo Bandits defeated the
Boston Blazers, 10-8 on Saturday night at HSBC Arena. Mark
Steenhuis scored four goals as the Bandits will now face the New
York Titans in the East Division Final next weekend. The Blazers
finish their fine inaugural season with a 10-7 record.
Buffalo jumped out to a 4-1 lead in the first quarter. Mark
Steenhuis scored twice as the Bandits grabbed an early lead. Boston
responded with three goals, including two by Brendan Thenhaus.
Buffalo led 5-4 after the opening frame.
Defense and goaltending took over in the second quarter. Following
a Daryl Veltman goal that tied the score 6-6, with ten minutes
remaining, both goalies buckled down and held the game scoreless
until Mike Accursi's goal with three minutes remaining. The goal
gave the Bandits a 7-6 lead that they took into halftime.
In the third quarter, the goalies stepped up their games even
further. Cosmo stopped all 14 shots he faced, while Ken Montour
stopped all but one of the 14 shots he faced. The goal by Daryl
Veltman tied the score at 7-7 through three quarters of play.
With the season on the line, the big home crowd looked on as the
Bandits started the final quarter having not scored in the previous
27 minutes of play. John Tavares quickly restored the confidence of
the Bandits faithful, scoring a minute into the quarter to put
Buffalo back in front, 8-7.
Steenhuis scored two minutes later for a 9-7 lead. A Gary Bining
goal brought Boston back to within one at 9-8. but that's as close
as it would get. Steenhuis scored his fourth goal of the game with
7:32 remaining, and Ken Montour did not allow another goal to the
Blazers en route to the 10-8 win.
