ABC… Always be Closing
The prelude to all good sales pursuits. Related to the Bandits, their effort reflects the principle above (always be scoring) in their recent rise to the upper echelon of the National Lacrosse League standings, a feat they achieved after wandering aimlessly back on February 7th.
AID…Attention, Interest, Decision
My interpretation of the Bandits’ steps needed for the remaining two regular-season games, and essentially seven playoff games, if not fewer, to achieve what no other NLL team has done.
Attention: May I have your attention, please? We are not backing down and play with an under-promise-and-over-deliver attitude.
“When we play five on five, we’re as good as anybody, and we know that. This locker room doesn’t panic when you get the crowd behind you; it’s tough to play against,” said Joe Resetarits, who potted three beauties last Saturday in the Bandits’ 15-5 win over Vancouver.
Interest: Our interest will never wane, and we will outscore anyone and achieve victory.
“When we invest in the 30’s (shot clocks), we believe in each other. There are so many threats out there. The chemistry is all around; anyone can have a night,” said Dhane Smith, who went over the 100+ point plateau for the fifth straight season, ninth overall in his 13 seasons played.
Decision: The decision is yours. Give us a good game, and we’ll show you how we claim victory.
“Everyone is playing at a high level, and everyone is a threat and starting to figure it out and what their role is, and how to be effective with this new system,” said Josh Byrne, who, too, went over the 100+ point mark for his third straight season with his 4+6=10 point night.
You probably realize by now, after reading parts of the above, that I paraphrased the idea in my own words, not completely, to avoid plagiarism, from the movie “Glengarry Glen Ross,” where Alec Baldwin delivers a fiery speech to struggling salespeople to motivate them to succeed and close deals.
After Saturday night’s convincing win over the Vancouver Warriors, the bar is now higher for the Bandits to maintain consistent AID throughout. Every game should be played like last Saturday—an impeccable performance and a lesson in the box game.
Holding the number one team in the NLL to just one goal in the second half is incredible. But was it, is it?
Questioning the value of individual and team play, like looking into a cracked mirror, a sense of impending roster breakup was felt across the organization three days before the league’s trade deadline. This exemplifies what sports are all about, as well as the internal pressures to win consistently.
“We were at a bit of a crossroads. You looked around the room, and the writing was on the wall (having lost five of the last six games). You build such a bond with the guys, and it’s really hard to realize how fast it becomes real. I’m not going to see this guy every week.
“When that hit, it forces you to take a look in the mirror and play for each other, and now we’ve been doing that for the last six games; it’s fun to be a part of, it’s a great group and a perfect locker room; I’m proud of our guys,” Byrne said.
The late Al Davis, owner of the Oakland Raiders, would often walk through the administrative hallways with his faux smile and catchphrase: “Just win, baby.” If you didn’t, you’d find yourself on a Trailways bus heading home.
“We were so close to being sellers at the trade deadline. It’s been a different year to say the least. It means a lot to keep fighting. We have found our standard, and we want to keep raising that,” Smith said.
Six straight Bandit victories since being stuck in the Erie Canal muck have demonstrated the chemistry and talent this club possesses. From the leadership group to individual effort, including everyone on the current roster.
I am not going to give a marquee to a player, whether it be goals, assists, saves, blocked shots, caused turnovers, loose balls, faceoffs, hits, effective passes, touches, penalty minutes, game-winning goals, power plays, short-handed goals, or shots-on-goal percentage.
A 10-6 current record speaks to the entire team, who have spent hours practicing, training on their own, watching game videos, and confiding in each other, believing that together with their natural talent, they can achieve greatness and keep winning.
“I don’t want guys to get overconfident just because of the 15-5 score. A win is a win. We are a good team. Guys are riding a nice wave, but I remind them that it’s hard work that got us here; there’s no room to be too comfortable and complacent. We have to keep earning everything we get,” said Bandits coach John Tavares.
ABC…always be closing. You know what I mean.
Ted Talk
Teddy Jenner, TSN’s lead play-by-play announcer and host of the “Off the Crossbar” podcast, was our guest on the Bandits radio pregame show last Saturday. He helped us see the big picture with his perspective on the Bandits.
“Buffalo is a team playing with the utmost confidence right now. They are Healthy and have the swagger back. They are still the big bad Buffalo Bandits, and they are playing the best lacrosse we have seen in a long time.
“They are contributing, executing on special teams, and the hustle play battles; that’s what Buffalo prides itself in, and that’s why they’ve been successful.
“The bonus is that playing in Banditland gives the team that extra boost of energy.”
Accolades, Numbers, and Notes on the Streak
- Congratulations to Paul Dawson, who played in his 300th regular-season game, making him only the 4th player in NLL history to reach that mark (his bother Dan holds the record with 322 games played). Dawson leads the NLL in blocked this season with 33 and holds the NLL record of 138 since charting soakers in 2022.
- Milestone watch for Kyle Buchanan, who needs one point for 700 career regular-season points. Buchanan is 7+10=17 points on the six-game streak
- Mitch de Snoo has scooped 71 loose balls in the six-game streak, including 20 against San Diego
- Tehoka Nanticoke has 15 points in his last six games
- Ian MacKay has 15 points during the streak, two games he was on IR
- Dylan Robinson has four points in his last two games
- Josh Byrne, in his last six games, has recorded 15+33=48 points, including 4+6=10 Saturday night
- Steve Priolo has seven points in the last six and six penalty minutes shy of 600 (thanks to his Thanos bout against Matt Beers)
- Joe Resetarits has points in every game played since returning 5+4=9
- Clay Scanlan has nine points in his last six games
- Dhane Smith has 15+22=37 points in his last six, now three assists from 880 for NLL fourth all-time
- Matt Vinc played in his 319th game Saturday night, earning his 181st victory, 83rd as a Bandit, and in his last six games, the eight-time goaltender of the year has a .828 save percentage and three straight games allowing eight or fewer goals. Vinc now has ten 10+ victories in his career.
Broadcast Information for the Saturday, April 11 Game vs. Rochester at KeyBank Center.
Radio coverage of the game will be on 1520 AM The Bet, with the pregame show starting at 6:30 pm EDT.
Television coverage will be on MSGN, ESPN+, TSN+, and NLL+. Broadcast starts at 7 pm EDT.