Gary Groob
All Lacrosse All The Time – A Division of Edge of Philly Sports Network
The Buffalo Bandits (1-1) visited the Toronto Rock (1-2) at the FirstOntario Centre in Hamilton, Ontario in front of 7,730 fans. Both teams were coming off disappointing defeats their last time out, and were hoping to get back to their winning ways. The Rock and Bandits were looking for more offensive output to match their stellar defenses.
This was “Teddy Bear Toss” night. After a Tom Schreiber goal in the second quarter, it rained teddy bears to help give less fortunate kids Christmas gifts.
The goaltending match-up had Matt Vinc in net for the Bandits against Nick Rose in net for Toronto.
The Bandits jumped out to 3-0, and 9-4 leads in the game. Toronto couldn’t solve the Buffalo defense, dropping the game 11-8. Tom Schreiber (3g,2a) and Corey Small (3g,3a) led the way for the Rock. The Bandits had Tehoka Nanticoke (3g,1a), Chris Cloutier (2g,2a), and Josh Byrne (2g,2a) lead the way for them. Dhane Smith (1g,5a) predominantly played the part of the set up man.
To The Game:
The quarter started out with a ferocious pace. Both teams racing up and down the floor. Buffalo’s game plan was to be aggressive, taking the game to Toronto. It worked. Buffalo struck first with two “in close” goals to start the game. Dhane Smith opened the scoring at 3:32, followed by Tehoka Nanticoke at 4:48.
Josh Byrne then increased the Bandits lead with a Howitzer of a shot at 7:20 off a Dhane Smith feed.
Toronto came back with three of their own. Corey Small got the Rock rolling with a quick stick off a Tom Schreiber pass. Schreiber then scored on the power play off a Small feed at 14:04, followed by Dan Craig’s buzzer beater on the power play as well at 14:58.
After one quarter, Buffalo 3 Toronto 3.
Second Quarter:
The second quarter was almost all Buffalo. Josh Byrne opened the scoring converting a Kyle Buchanan feed at 2:10, followed by Tehoka Nanticoke scoring from the ground at 3:40
Tom Schreiber scored Toronto’s lone goal at 4:07. The Bandits increased their lead with Chris Cloutier scoring off a Kyle Buchanan feed on the power play at 5:07, followed by Nanticoke getting his third of the game unassisted at 8:32.
Even when the Rock were able to penetrate the Bandits defense, goalie Matt Vinc was spectacular in net. Vinc made some outstanding saves to frustrate Toronto shooters time and time again.
At the half, Buffalo 8 Toronto 4.
Third Quarter:
Although Toronto came out with more jump, they weren’t able to solve the stingy Bandits defense in this quarter.
Buffalo increased their lead when Brandon Robinson beat Nick Rose over his shoulder off a Dhane Smith pass at 8:25.
After three quarters, Buffalo 9 Toronto 4.
Fourth Quarter:
The Rock were finally able to mount some offense in this quarter, but had dug a big hole to climb out of.
Corey Small got his second of the night with a shot to the shortside at 0:29 seconds, followed by Dan Craig converting a Brad Kri pass at 3:39.
Kyle Buchanan scored one for the Bandits at 7:06, but Tom Schreiber’s third of the night on the power play kept the lead at three with 10:29 remaining. Chris Cloutier and Corey Small traded goals with just over a minute to play in the game, but that would do it for the scoring.
Final score, Buffalo 11 Toronto 8.
The Three Stars:
- 1st Star Matt Vinc
- 2nd Star Dhane Smith
- 3rd Star Tehoka Nanticoke
Game Stats:
- Toronto outshot the Bandits 61-50
- TD Ierlan was dominant on faceoffs for the Rock winning 23 of 27 draws.
- Buffalo went 1 for 1 on the power play while Toronto – went 3 for 5.
- The Rock dominated the loose ball battle 99-65.
Top Scorers:
Buffalo Bandits:
- Dhane Smith (1g, 5a)
- Tehoka Nanticoke (3g, 1a)
- Chris Cloutier (2g, 2a)
- Josh Byrne (2g,2a)
Toronto Rock:
- Corey Small (3g,3a)
- Tom Schreiber (2g, 4a)
- Dan Craig (2g, 2a)
Don’t forget to check us out every Sunday at 9pm (ET)
Gary Groob has been involved with Lacrosse for the majority of his life, whether playing, coaching, or covering the sport for the media.
An avid fan, with a real drive about helping to “grow the game”, Gary became part of podcasts about the game in 2010. Through the podcasts, Mr. Groob was given an opportunity to write about lacrosse, and the rest as they say, is history.
Through many miles (flying and driving) Gary has made inroads with the National Lacrosse League, Major Series Lacrosse League, the Ontario Lacrosse Association, as well as the Arena Lacrosse League, covering the leagues, their teams, and players, working for, and in concert with all of them.
In the year 2020, Mr. Groob was made the media person for the Arena Lacrosse League, voted onto the board of directors of the Brampton Excelsiors Lacrosse Club, as well as being made administrator of the Lacrosse page “Global Lacrosse” with a membership of 9000 members in over 90 Countries. Gary was also made an administrator of Lacrosse History Past Present and Future in 2022.
Mr. Groob co-hosts a weekly Lacrosse show on Spanglish Sports World, and ZingoTV channel 250, as well as writes a weekly lacrosse column for La Portada Canada News (both in print, and online).
Gary also hosts a Lacrosse talk show and podcast for The Edge of Philly Sports Network, seen live Sunday nights at 9pm (ET), and archived on the Edge of Philly YouTube page, as well as Spotify.
Mr. Groob’s other sports interests include Hockey, Football, Boxing, Wrestling, and Baseball, competing competitively in Boxing and Wrestling for many years.
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