The Bandettes at the Bandits' Home Opener against the Wings

This year, the NLL has expanded their schedule to 18 regular season games, starting a week earlier and ending a week later. Unfortunately, that seemed to have a psychological effect on the Buffalo Bandits. The 2013 NLL season was their worst performance in several years and, while the Bandits looked solid in their scrimmages against the Wings 3 weeks ago, they looked more like the team that struggled all season long in the spring. The offense was ok but the defense was porous to say the least and the goaltending did little to make up for the defensive struggles. The game wasn't nearly as close as the 17-13 score indicated and the fans in attendance were left thinking that the team looked at the 2013 on the calendar instead of the 2014 on the season schedule.
In the case of the Bandettes, it seems they also had a carry-over from 2013 but in contrast to the Bandits' play, the ladies are looking great, just as they did in 2013. Only 3 girls didn't return from the spring's squad and in their place are two stunning rookies in Janelle and Mandy with returning alum Ashley V filling out the squad. Behind Jaclyn and Erin, with strong captains in Kirsten and L.B., the 2014 Buffalo Bandettes squad should have a strong season. Maybe the NLL Girl of The Year crown, which now-3rd year vet Stephanie O won in 2012, will return to Buffalo as well.

Ashley

Amanda T

I started off the gamenight getting to the arena shortly before the gates opened. Once I got inside, Ashley and Amanda T were there with gameday programs and souvenirs for the fans. In addition to being a stunning redhead on the Bandettes, Ashley is one of the biggest Bills fans I know. Amanda, in her 3rd year on the squad, started her Bandettes career as an Ambassador and is one of the most well-spoken young ladies I've met in many years as I discovered in a conversation we had at an event 2 years ago.





I made my way up to the 100 level where the rest of the squad was on hand greeting fans and posing for photos. I bounced back and forth from Kirsten's line at the east end to LB's line at the west end of the escalators a few times with visits from Bandettes alumnae Alicia (2012-13), Melissa (2005-11) and Sarah (2005-09)

Mandy, Chrissy, Stephanie, Kirsten, Brianna V, Danielle, and Lauren K

Kelsey, MaKenzie, LB, Alicia, Janelle, Cheri, Jessica, and Chelsea

After grabbing several photos, I headed down to my seat for the game where it wasn't long before the Bandettes came out to get set for pregame. Of course there were photo poses as well and the Bandits' mascot, Rax, even photobombed a pic with Jessica and Amanda.

Jessica and Amanda with Rax

The line set-up is pretty similar to how it was last year with Chelsea switching over to LB's line and newcomer Janelle slotting in over beside Jessica. Kirsten's line has Lauren K moving back to Chelsea's old slot with newcomer Mandy filling the other vacated slot alongside Chrissy.

MaKenzie and Janelle

dance squad photo minus LB

See all the pics at https://buffaloprocheerbuffalobandettes.shutterfly.com/pictures/6480

Next up, the Bandettes and Bandits' next game is Friday January 10th at First Niagara Center playing host to the Toronto Rock. Hopefully the team can turn things around and get this march to a 5th NLL Title going in the right direction! Even though we're still waiting for the Bandettes webpage to be updated, the Bandette of The Week series will be kicking off soon leading off with 6th year vet Kirsten who started her Bandettes career posing with the Champions Cup.