With both teams riding a three game win streak, the Buffalo Bandits (3-1) will host the undefeated back-to-back NLL champion Rochester Knighthawks (3-0) at the First Niagara Center Saturday night at 7:30 pm for the first of four “Thruway Rivalry” matchups.
What makes this game that much more special is the fact that the team that emerges victorious will take sole possession of first place in the Eastern Division.
One of the main concerns Buffalo lacrosse fans have going into this weekend’s matchup with the Knighthawks will be if Bandits captain John Tavares will be able to participate.
Tavares sat out last week’s 16-9 road victory over Colorado after “tweaking” an injury in practice. Buffalo Bandits general manager Steve Dietrich, during his participation in the NLL coaches’ conference call, suggested that Tavares should be available for Saturday’s game. But to air on the side of caution, Tavares is still considered a game-time decision.
The next concern for Bandits’ fans turn to: how important is John Tavares to the Bandits success when he is in the lineup and when he is taken out of the lineup?
The first time that Tavares played fewer than 16 games due to injury was during the 2010 season when he missed the first six games to recover from said injury. During that stretch with Tavares out of the lineup, the Bandits were only able to go 2-1. The lone win was an 11-7 home victory on January 30 against the Minnesota Swarm. Tavares eventually returned and the Bandits went 7-3 while Tavares amassed 49 points (21 goals, 28 assists) en route to leading the Bandits to an 8-8 record. (21 G + 28 A = 49 points).
Now let’s take a look at the 2013 season. The Bandits were in the same predicament this current year with the team riding a three-game win streak and a 3-1 overall record. Then the Bandits’ captain sustained a calf injury which eventually caused him to miss four games throughout that year. During that stretch with Tavares out of the lineup, the Bandits posted a record of 1-3. The three losses were at the hands of Toronto, Colorado and Rochester. The lone win was a 10-6 victory on the road against who else…? The same Rochester Knighthawks. In those 12 games he did play last year with the Bandits, the team had a record of 5-7 and Tavares recorded 39 points (14 G, 25 A). Unfortunately, the Bandits ended the 2013 regular season with a record of 6-10 and missed the playoffs.
So, based on 2010’s and 2013’s data, this information proves that with Tavares out of the lineup, the Bandits can possibly win but not sustain an overall winning record.
When the Bandits were unable to make the 2013 playoffs, general manager Steve Dietrich made it his mission to improve the team on both sides of the ball. This off-season he improved the offense with the acquisition of forwards Ryan Benesch, Joe Resetarits and transition Andrew Watt.
So far during this 2014 season, the Bandits are 3-1 with Tavares in the lineup. But, say for instance that you take away Tavares and all of the goals he has tallied so far, the Bandits would have lost their second matchup against the Wings (where Tavares recorded five goals where the final goal won the game in overtime) and the Bandits would have a 2-2 record heading into this weekend’s game.
Looking at last week’s game against the Mammoth, Buffalo had been led by strong offensive contributions from forwards Dhane Smith, Ryan Benesch, Shawn Williams, transition players like Andrew Watt and defensemen like Steve Priolo. Priolo, whose previous career high was seven points, already has 10 points (5 G, 5 A) in just four games this season.
With Tavares missing and the Bandits coming away with the 16-9 victory in Colorado, it was incredible watching the other members of the Bandits step up into stronger leadership roles and come together as a team. This new team transition will hopefully be able to give Tavares the time and rest that he needs to endure this newly created 18 game season and when Tavares returns, he will hopefully lead this team to the playoffs and the cup as envisioned.
