Tavares Returns to Lead Buffalo over Philly
by Patrick Gordon | NLL.com
PHILADELPHIA -- Mark Steenhuis scored a pair of
goals to go along with six assists, and Brett Bucktooth chipped in
with a pair of goals to lead the Buffalo Bandits over the
Philadelphia Wings, 13-11, in front of 7,723 fans at the Wachovia
Center on Saturday.
John Tavares cemented the Bandits' win with his goal with just over
three minutes remaining in the fourth quarter. He finished with a
pair of goals and four assists. Tavares, the National Lacrosse
League's all-time leading scorer, finally played his first game of
the season after missing six games with a calf injury.
Both teams entered the contest floundering near the bottom of the
Eastern Division, so the win was crucial for Buffalo (2-5) in
keeping their chances for a postseason berth alive.
"Anytime you get a win in Philadelphia, it's a big win," said
Bandits Head Coach Darris Kilgour. "Especially being 1-5 though,
this was a playoff game for us. It was a huge win and it gives us
confidence that we can come from behind, which we haven't been able
to this year. It really is a big stepping stone for us."
The loss knocks Philadelphia (1-5) to last place in the division,
and puts their quest for a postseason berth on life support.
"I thought our guys fought till the end, and I'm happy with how
they played," said Wings Head Coach David Huntley. "I think we
competed well tonight and that's all I can ask of them. Sometimes
the ball just doesn't fall the way you want it to."
Geoff Snider's goal with just over eight minutes remaining in the
fourth quarter brought Philadelphia within one, but Jon Harasym's
goal nearly four minutes later pushed the Bandits lead to
12-10.
Buffalo took their first lead of the evening early in the third
quarter on Kevin Dostie's goal, but Kyle Wailes answered 7 seconds
later with his third goal of the evening to tie the game at 8-8.
Bucktooth notched his pair later in the frame to push the Bandits
ahead for good.
Dostie finished with four points (2 G, 2 A). Rookie Kyle Clancy
chipped in with three assists.
Drew Westervelt, who entered the contest tied with Mat Giles as the
Wings' leading goal scorer, finished with a goal and two assists in
the losing effort. Giles finished with three assists. Rookie Max
Seibald chipped in with a goal and an assist in his home debut.
"We didn't put enough balls in the net, but I don't fault the
effort of anyone tonight," Huntley said. "I'm proud of how they
played."
The two teams exchanged goals throughout the second quarter before
Frank Resetarits's goal with eight minutes remaining brought the
Bandits even with the Wings at 7-7.
Philadelphia scored five unanswered goals within the first seven
minutes of the first quarter, but Buffalo struck back with four
goals of their own, including a pair within a seven-second span, to
cap off an offensively driven opening frame.
Bandits' goaltender Angus Goodleaf relieved Ken Montour after the
Wings jumped ahead with a 5-0 advantage. He recorded 37 saves on 43
shots in the winning effort.
"Guys just got focused," Kilgour said. "Once we got our
communication going and got players to the areas we wanted to I
think that changed the momentum of the game and gave us a lot of
confidence that we could play good defense in front of Angus."
Philadelphia hosts Rochester next Saturday, while Buffalo enjoys a
bye before hosting the Wings on February 27.
"At some point it has to all come together for us," Huntley said.
"Maybe next week will be it."
