Coach Troy Cordingley must be in my head; or is it the other way around? I mean, come on! I’m talking about the Buffalo Bandits and how they should reinvent themselves; as I think of a solution the improvement is made.
Nick Diachenko of Delaware Men’s Lacrosse was a standout at school along with one or two others. He stands six foot and 180 pounds. Picked 14th overall in this year’s draft, Cordingley says Diachenko has helped fulfill the desire for a younger, more agile team.
It will still be a transition for the transition player. Diachenko is from Ontario which gives him familiarity to the indoor style of lacrosse. Though he played midfield the indoor game is much faster and more continuous. New types of hits and faster play will catch up with him. As a spectator of both styles myself, there is a large difference in play techniques and strategies. Rather than set an offense, Diachenko will need to learn more fluidity in his offensive sets and how to roll off the glass and keep moving.
With everything thus far stated there seems to be a story behind this guy. For one, he was a standout at Delaware.
“He earned the team’s Alumni Association Most Valuable Player Award and participated in the USILA North-South Senior All-Star Game.”
–Delaware Athletics, 09/29/2013
To pop the cherry on top of the whipped cream, which covered the multi-colored sprinkles and M&Ms, etc., Diachenko was ALSO rewarded with second team All-Colonial Athletic Association honors in 2013.
So, now for the obvious, but most ultimate, question I’ve had so far (…of 3):
WHERE DO WE PUT ALL THESE PUZZLE PIECES????
Nick Diachenko Rory Smith
Ryan Benesch
Andrew Watt Mitch Jones
Mitch Wilde Joe Resetaris
I believe spectators will see positioning along the following lines
(Not necessarily all at the same time, nor in these orders):
Forward:
Mitch Jones
Mitch Wilde
Ryan Benesch*
Transition:
Joe Resetaris*
Nick Diachenko
Mark Steenhuis
Defense:
Rory Smith*
Andrew Watt
Billy Dee Smith
utility players (can play multiple positions)
I believe Diachenko will be most effective as a transition player on a second or third line. He’s coming from a midfield position and is accustomed to game-changing reactions. The energy that comes from youth more than seasoned players could play an advantage for Nick, and the faster pace may very well not affect him. Even if he’s settled on a second string line, that will give him a few moments to observe and contemplate the details of the game: opponent, pace, etc. The Bandits have other veterans who know the league teams better than the young guns coming out of school.
For the time being, we’ll have to wait and see what Coach Troy Cordingley has in store and how the players all work best together. Maybe I’ll continue my streak of semi-psychic-but-mostly-lucky open-ended predictions.
