The 2014 NLL season begins today as the Buffalo Bandits take on the Philadelphia Wings for a 7:30pm home game at the First Niagara Center. After an exciting and very challenging training camp, the Bandits are ready to hit the floor and show theBanditland faithful their new and improved team.
Heading into their season opener against the Wings, head coach Troy Cordingley said “We’re looking forward to the opportunity. Being the only team not to make the postseason last season, the players want to redeem themselves.”
Three weeks ago at the First Niagara Center the Bandits and Wings faced off against one another for two scrimmages. In both games the Bandits emerged victorious against the Wings. The scrimmage that occurred on December 7th ended with a Shawn Williams game-winning goal with 1:20 remaining in the game to lead the Bandits to a 12-11 win. In the second meeting between these two teams on December 8th, the Bandits emerged victorious with a 16-10 win over the Wings.
“We had a look at them for two games,” said Cordingley. We worked on some things that we saw from them (during the two scrimmages) at our last practice. (The Wings) obtained some players new to the league this season, but (The Bandits) looked good during the scrimmages. We have our work cut out for us.”
Philadelphia Wings head coach Blaine Harrison echoed pretty much the same sentiments regarding the Bandits. “(The Bandits) are going to be a test for us. They are a different team from last year. Their defense is going to be big, strong and tough. We’re going to have to match that kind of work to have success on offense.”
The 2014 roster turnaround for the Bandits were due to the results of the 2013 team that ended the year second last in scoring with 171 goals and tied for dead last in goals allowed with 211. Helping to right the ship for the team this season are new head coach Troy Cordingley, and the offseason acquisitions of forward Ryan Benesch and transition player Andrew Watt from Minnesota, forward Joe Resetarits from Calgary and defenseman Rory Smith from Colorado.
The Wings were also busy doing their own roster turnaround due to their 2013 season. The Wings scored a league-worst 170 goals while also placing third last in goals allowed with 207. Trying to bring the Wings back from the brink are new Wings head coach Blaine Harrison and the offseason acquisitions of forward Ryan Ward from Edmonton, forward Tracy Kelusky from Buffalo and goaltender Evan Kirk from Minnesota.
This 2014 season, the Bandits will travel to Philadelphia on January 12th to take on the Wings and then return back home to Buffalo on February 15th for their final showdown of the season with the Wings.
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