The Bandettes at Tucker Out Lymphoma Night vs the Rock

After a 6-game win streak came to an end on Friday night with a loss in Toronto, the Bandits returned home to the First Niagara Center Saturday night to a near-capacity crowd hoping to get back to their winning ways. Their opposition was the same Toronto Rock team that beat them 12-9 Friday night. After being held to a single goal in Toronto, league leading scorer Dhane Smith was a man on a mission with 5 goals to add to Ryan Benesch's 8 total points. Toronto's only lead of the night came a few minutes into the game but took over from there and, buoyed by a 6-1 2nd quarter, got revenge on the Rock with a 14-8 win over their rivals from the north.
Saturday's game was a special game as it was the annual Tucker Out Lymphoma night, an annual event to raise funds for the Braver Than Brave Foundation, named in honor of the late Tucker Williams, the son of former Bandits star Shawn Williams who passed away a year and a half ago after a battle with Burkitt lymphoma. To help with the fundraising, the Bandettes were stationed just inside the gates with their annual lacrosse ball sale. A $10 donation got you a boxed lacrosse ball with a surprise autograph on it. Since it was pretty hectic in there with the lacrosse ball sales and the large crowd coming in, I didn't stay long, just long enough to check in with Janelle and Stephanie and to get a few photos and my own Anthony Cosmo-autographed ball. Missing from the game were Angela, still recovering from an injury suffered in field practice last week, and Mandy, out of town for the weekend.
Once things got going, it was Janelle leading a line out to perform in the 1st quarter and to balance things out, appearances captain Jennifer switched over to fill in to put 6 girls on each line and to assist our reigning Bandette of The Week in providing leadership in Mandy's absence.

MaKenzie, Janelle, Stephanie, and Karley

Jackie with some of her fans

kicking up a storm in pregame

The Bandettes debuted a few new looks for the season as they donned throwback jerseys in the 1st half and, in keeping with the warmer weather that Western NY is currently enjoying, tank tops and shorts in the 2nd. As they've done the last few games, they brought out the crowd-favorite spelling routine, performing it at 1st intermission while facing the benches instead of the press box this time. No matter which way they face, it always gets the crowd excited and, as it turned out, it was pretty timely as the officiating in the game had the fans booing as the 1st quarter drew to a close. Thanks to the Bandettes and their performance, the mood in the arena was positive going into the 2nd quarter.

squad photo!!

Stephanie loving the score!!

Making the "S" in BANDITS at 1st intermission

Deanna and Rachel

performing at 3rd intermission

See all the pics at https://buffaloprocheerbuffalobandettes.shutterfly.com/pictures/9823
Next up, the Bandits are on the road next week for their only regular season road game in Rochester before returning home to the First Niagara Center to host the New England Black Wolves in the regular season finale. Currently, the Bandits hold a 1.5 game lead in the East over New England. The teams have split their season series with the home team winning each time. Fan Appreciation Night in Banditland, along with the positive energy and spirit of the Bandettes may prove to be the key in that battle. A single Bandits win over the next two games or a single Black Wolves loss over their next 3 will give Buffalo the regular season division title with only Saskatchewan left to overcome to gain homefield throughout the playoffs.
We're hoping to have the NLL's premier dance team back at full strength for the season finale and the playoff run and prayers are welcomed for Angela's recovery.