This certainly wasn’t the way the Bandits had hoped their home and home with Colorado would go. Before last weekend, Colorado was a lowly 2-7. It was looking like they would certainly be the team to miss the playoffs this season. However, they won both their games against the Bandits and have jolted life into their season. The Bandits put up a fight last night, but were never able to overcome a lackluster effort towards the middle of the game.
For the Bandits special teams was once again a story, as they gave up six powerplay goals and two shorthanded goals while they were only able to go three for seven on their own powerplays. The Bandits had yet another five minute penalty to kill in this one, this time a high sticking major committed by forward Chad Culp.
Kurtis Wagar got more time in net after Anthony Cosmo was pulled with about ten minutes left in the game. Wagar made some nice saves to keep them in it, but it was too little too late in the fourth quarter. The Bandits went on some spectacular runs, including a three goal run late in the game to get the goal differential to one. Despite there being time on the clock for another Bandits possession, Darris Kilgour pulled the goaltender. Big Rich Morgan picked up a loose ball in the Mammoth zone and bulldozed his way down to the empty net. He was dragged down by a Bandit on the play, leading to an automatic goal.
John Grant Jr. led the Mammoth with three goals and five assists on the night, while newcomer Casey Powell scored a goal and five assists. Tye Belanger recorded his second straight victory against the Bandits.
If there’s a bright spot for the Bandits its Derek Hopcroft, who was making his Buffalo Bandits debut. Hopcroft scored three goals and two assists and proved that he probably should have been on the roster from the start. Jamie Rooney also had a good game, scoring two goals and three assists while Shawn Williams had two goals and two assists.
The Bandits look to turn things around next Saturday at home when they take on the Edmonton Rush who are sitting at 6-5 and coming off a victory against the Rochester Knighthawks. Colorado returns to the Western Division to take on the Calgary Roughnecks.
