Kevin M.Neibauer
LaxPhilly- Part of the Edge of Philly Sports Network
The Buffalo Bandits (4-0) welcomed the Georgia Swarm (1-3) to the Key Bank Center in Buffalo, New York for a pivotal early season East Division match up.
The Georgia Swarm have been a National Lacrosse League powerhouse who are fading fast.
The Buffalo Bandits are 4-0 for a good reason.
When these two meet up, it’s always a nip and tuck affair and this event would follow the script.
Buffalo seized a quick 2-0 lead when Chris Cloutier (2g ,2a) followed by Brad McCulley (1g) hitting net and with just 3:01 gone, the Bandits seemed primed for a romp.
Save that thought…Lyle Thompson (2g, 2a) stepped up to close the gap to 2-1.
Matt Spangler notched his first goal as a Bandit with Dhane Smith (2g,3a) potting a Brent Noseworthy feed just :51 later to get it to a 4-1 game.
Kason Tarbell (1a) hit Thompson in stride to close the opening quarter with Buffalo in charge, 4-2.
As always with Thompson, posted an outrageous speed highlight marker on the short handed tally.
To The Second
The pace picked up started by Jordan Hall doing the work with the emerging Brendan Bomberry (2g, 2a) reaping the benefits to cut it to 4-3.
Josh Byrne (2g, 5a) started his big night with assists going to Connor Fields (2a) and Steve Priolo (2a) but, was quickly answered by Jordan Hall (1g, 3a) to keep it at a one goal affair.
Thompson and Bomberry helped out on a Shayne Jackson (1g,2a) marker that evened things at 5-5 at the 8:35 mark.
.The score would stay deadlocked for exactly 4:00 until Byrne lit the lamp with a shorthanded marker.
Kyle Buchanan (1g,2a) made it 7-5 with three seconds on the clock.
Shaping Up to Be a Classic
A two goal third stanza with markers from Dhane Smith at 8:11 on the man advantage followed at 12:58 when Thomas Semple (1g, 1a) countered off a nifty set up from Jordan Mac Intosh to take things to the final 15:00 with The Bandits holding an 8-6 advantage.
Can the Bandits See it Through?
With 4:10 gone, Bomberry planted one behind Bandits goalie Matt Vinc to cut the advantage to 8-7.
1:58 later, Chase Fraser (1g, 1a) got the goal back with help from Connor Fields and Byrne.
Cloutier got it to a 10-7 game at 7:24 but Tanner Buck (1g,1a) closed it back to a two goal deficit.
Ian McKay (1g).for Buffalo followed by Jordan MacIntosh (2g, 1a) countering for the Swarm got it into the final 4:17.
MacIntosh buried another at 11:21 to get it to 11-10.
Tehoka Nanticoke (1g, 3a) supplied the 12th and game clincher with1:43 remaining and Buffalo built upon their Division lead.
Somewhat Fun Facts
Mike Poulin made 41 saves in the Georgia net and, the other ageless wonder, Matt Vinc accounted for 37 for the victory.
Kevin has followed and promoted the game of lacrosse since May 19, 1974.
The same day the Philadelphia Flyers won the Cup, the Philadelphia Wings were introduced to Neibauer and Philadelphia.
Kevin has covered many sports, including baseball, football, basketball, and.. lacrosse. A former licensed football referee and baseball umpire, Kevin brings a unique insight to his game coverage.
A published writer in JustHockey Magazine, Kevin covered the American Hockey League as well as a monthly story on a pugilist where Kevin used the pen name, The Rink Rat. Neibauer turned his attentions to lacrosse for a few years and does his part, whether podcasting or writing to grow the game. Kevin branched out to his roots and currently provides insight for all Philadelphia teams for Edge of Philly as well as his full-time duties with LaxPhilly.
