At the Reception

“You can’t always get what you want.”

Indeed, and this bye week, as much as we all dislike them, will be great for the Bandits to heal their wounds and egos, returning to the form they are known for, but I want to get right back and play.

“I get eager to play again, especially when you lose. Waiting two weeks is going to be a long time for me,” said Bandits head coach John Tavares.

At the very beginning of the month, the head coach made a definitive statement: “If we are going to compete in the playoffs and championship, we are going to need production from everybody on offense; you can’t rely on one or two guys – you need depth. When everybody is a threat out there, it’s hard to defend.”

Prescription

Even though Tavares went with seven forwards Friday night against the Black Bears (Dhane Smith, Josh Byrne, Kyle Buchanan, Tehoka Nanticoke, Clay Scanlan, Ian MacKay, and Ryan Benesch), I’m not sure he’s satisfied.

“We are looking for that seventh offensive player who’s going to connect, providing secondary scoring or set picks,” said Tavares last Friday on the radio pregame show. “Right now, I don’t know that we’ve found that combination.”

Foot-loose Man

Smith, who scored three goals and four assists last Friday night, keeping his league-leading average of seven points per game, noted in his post-game presser that the team is working to find their roles, stick together, and work a bit harder to earn goals.

“We need to step it up, and we’ll figure it out. It’s early in the season, and there are a few things we can work on and rise to the challenge,” Smith noted, who is pacing for his ninth 100+ point season.

The Demonstration

The challenge now for the Bandits is to rebound and end January with scoring prowess that brings them back to 12 goals-plus a game, which gives them a high percentage of winning.

“All I can do is try to put people in positions to be successful,” Tavares said. Scoring is an art in any sport, and that’s why those guys get paid the top dollars in whatever sports they are playing. It’s tough to finish; it’s an art. You have to be able to score to win.”

Vent Frustration

Friday’s 10-9 loss and the loss to Rochester previously are the first set of back-to-back losses in a while, and it’s not like its unfamiliar territory, but it does shake the nerves.

“It’s hard because we are getting chances. We get a little bit lazy sometimes, and hot goalies are a bad excuse now,” said Bandits Kyle Buchanan, 11+7=18 in his last four games, including four goals against Rochester.

“We are getting the same number of shots; it’s just about putting the ball in the back of the net. So (during the bye week), we need to work on our sticks and work together more.”

50-Amp Fuse

I thought the defense was brilliant last Friday night, especially Nick Weiss, who has points in every game (2+9=11, 10 loose balls, and a palm sandwich to a Black Bear player’s grill, taking liberty on goaltender Matt Vinc, who recorded a .788 save percentage).

Other notables: Kiel Matisz (six lb.’s and two soakers), Steve Priolo (points in four straight, two soakers, and eight lb.’s), and newcomer Mike McCannell, who entered the action wearing sweater No. 26.

“These guys were great, getting me up to speed with conversations and X&Os during the week,” said McCannell, a first-round choice by San Diego in ’21, playing the last two seasons in Philadelphia.

“This team works really, really hard. It was easy for me to get back in the swing of things. Definitely a positive thing. And not getting booed, being a visitor. Playing in front of 17 thousand is awesome. It’s a special place.”

Meet Connection

And while on the subject of the community Banditland, Black Bears head coach and GM, Dan MacRae, paid a compliment to the Bandit fans and organization.

“It’s a privilege to have a team and fan base like this in our league, and I know all of the guys feel that way,” MacRae said. “It’s an easy one to get up for.”

Indeed, having the league’s leading scorer, Jeff Teat, helps, and, for that matter, Friday night featured five of the top 10 scorers in the 14-team loop.

Art of Deception

The club will practice this week, prancing for their prey, which won’t happen until Saturday, January 31, when they play the Mammoth in Denver.

“A loss never sits well. It’s just more time to think about it,” said Tavares on the 14 days between games.

“But if you try sometime, you’ll find you get what you need.”

Four NLL games are on tap this weekend, two on Friday and two on Saturday. Enjoy.