When it comes to fierce rivalries, few in sports match the hatred that exists between the Buffalo Bandits and the Toronto Rock. With 4 games separating them from the division-leading Rock, the Bandits played host in the 1st game of a home-and-home weekend with their rivals from the north and the early parts of the game were filled with some of the issues that have plagued the Bandits all season long. Some soft goals allowed and dumb penalties were a key factor in the Rock putting up an 11-7 lead late in the 3rd quarter. Luckily, as fans of the NLL well know, a game can turn in an instant and the Bandits made the 4th quarter of this Friday the 13th game a horror for Toronto as they poured in 8 goals in the final quarter and 57 seconds while only allowing 1 past returning goalie Anthony Cosmo, who helped in the scoring with 5 assists. The final minute of play turned into a pressure cooker with an incredible 13 penalties assessed, including a pair of match penalties which will likely keep a player out of the lineup for each team in tonight's rematch at the Air Canada Centre. The Bandits have to hope they can ride the momentum of this 15-12 win enough to pull out another win on the weekend.
When I got to the arena, the Bandettes were just inside the gates signing their new posters which, as I posted after the last game, look incredibly sharp, grouping the girls by the lines they perform on. After I grabbed a few photos of the girls at the table as well as of Chrissy and Stephanie selling programs, I took the time to chat with Erin for a few minutes, finding out some more details about next week's return of several Bandettes alums. In all, 25 alumnae will be returning with 18 as dancers with girls from the earlier years of the squad all the way up to a few that only retired after last season.
Rookie beauties Brittany and Melanie
Cheri and Abby
LaToya and Cheri cheering on a goal
Performing at 1st intermission
Last year's stunning rookies, Janelle and Mandy, pose for the camera while Syidah smiles for the camera in the background
When a pair of girls pose for the camera, it just draws in more beautiful women to pose for that pic as well lol
Lauren, Stephanie, and Syidah at halftime
Jennifer cheering on one of the Bandits many 4th quarter goals
Brittany, Melanie, and Chrissy cheering on a goal
See all the pics at https://buffaloprocheerbuffalobandettes.shutterfly.com/pictures/8196
After the game, I took a quick moment to talk to Mandy on my way out and I have a personal observation to make. Last year, her smile and enthusiasm were hard to miss and for her to get a captain's role in only her 2nd season says she impressed her coaches a lot. Seeing the way she carries herself and how she leads her line is not only impressive for a 2nd year vet, but impressive overall. She's become one of the most vocal young ladies on the squad and if she carries herself in her private life as she does as a Bandette, she'll go far in whatever she does.
Next up, the Bandits play in Toronto tonight as they try to close the gap on the East Division leaders and then it's back to Banditland next Saturday night for a matchup with the Minnesota Swarm. The Bandettes will be joined by 25 Bandettes alums from throughout the years and as anyone who remembers the 2011 game against the Boston Blazers can attest, it should be a fun time...and with 3 times the alums joining in, it should be 3 times as much fun.
No comments:
Post a Comment