The Bandits traveled to Rochester to take on the Knighthawks Saturday night at Blue Cross Arena and would keep the hot streak going. After taking down the Knighthawks 12-8, the Bandits have started the season 2-0 for the first time since 2012.
Buffalo dominated the first quarter, starting off quickly with a goal from Dhane Smith two minutes into the game. The Bandits followed that up with two goals from Connor Fields to finish out the quarter and continue his great start to the 2021-22 season.
Goaltender Matt Vinc made 13 saves during the first quarter to quiet the Knighthawks.
Rochester’s Curtis Knight helped the Knighthawks mount a comeback, finding the back of the net three times throughout the second quarter.
It seemed that the Bandits would finish out the half in a 3-3 tie, but with 3.3 seconds left of the clock, Knighthawks point leader Holden Cattoni ripped a shot passed Vinc to take the lead.
The Knighthawks continued to build on their lead after halftime as Jeff Wittig snuck through the defense and tucked a goal in from the top of the crease to take the lead.
It wouldn’t take the Bandits long to answer, as Ian MacKay wristed his first of the year and tied the game up.
From that point on, Buffalo would own the game. The Bandits would go on an 8-3 run to finish out the game and not give Rochester a chance to get back in it.
Vibes are high in Rochester! 🙌#LetsGoBandits pic.twitter.com/QUXSHV3hGY
— Buffalo Bandits (@NLLBandits) December 12, 2021
Buffalo native Connor Fields stayed red hot as he finished the game as the leading scorer with six points (4+2). He has four goals in back-to-back games to open the season.
Steve Priolo, Matt Spanger and Kyle Buchanan all slammed home their first goal of the season, as the Bandits got 12 shots past Knighthawks goalie Evan Kirk on 54 shots.
Vinc was lights out, stopping 48 shots and moving to 2-0 on the season.
Buffalo will have to wait until January 8 for their next action as they take on the Toronto Rock at KeyBank Center.