Nice Brush
When someone from the crowd yells, “Paint a starry night, man!” It’s not hard to reflect on the artistry the Bandits have employed in the last 14 games (last season and playoffs), where they have not lost.
“It’s the calmness on the bench, and we just look at each other and say, let’s go,” said Chase Fraser, following Saturday night’s goal-scoring spree of 19.
“It’s so easy to get in the grove running on the energy the Banditland crowd brings – just amazing. Everything was going right, and the ball was finding the back of the net.”
Even with his three-goal, four-assist night, Fraser paid tribute to Josh Byrne’s seven goals as magic and art and amplified: “We all have the same capability.”
Mind Over Matter
I noticed an isolated shot of Byrne from my broadcast television monitor Saturday night with his eyes closed as the anthems were sung. You could tell he was following the lyrics but multitasking mentally of the soon-to-be-played game.
In an interview earlier this season, he mentioned that mentally playing ahead of the game helps him adjust to the nuances, including opposing defensive coverage, how the goaltender will position for his shots, and the stick whacks and checks he takes.
His performance paid dividends; he shot almost 50 percent from the floor last Saturday night. But in reality, Byrne is already preparing for the February 1 game, which is 13 days away because of another hideous bye week.
“It’s the process and routine of another day. Head to the gym, get the shots off, watch the video, and think about what we are doing to be better; doing those things every week,” said Byrne, who now has 16 goals and 29 assists on the season.
“Our group is so special and so talented; we all just play to our strengths.”
On the Clipboard
Bandits head coach John Tavares and general manager and defensive coordinator Steve Dietrich must challenge themselves to keep the players focused and prepared during bye weeks and the never-ending evaluation of their depth.
When the schedule doubles up and, God forbid, injuries occur, the staff will utilize the players and give them a chance.
“We have more of a veteran team, and it’s a challenge adjusting the lineup, which we might have to do when we play a second game the next night,” said Tavares. “Clay Scanlan has done a great job coming in, and there will be others to get in the lineup.”
As the team’s general manager, there is always the option, when needed, to acquire personnel.
“We are always looking for something, but then again, you try and look out further, just in case injuries become a problem,” said Dietrich.
Everything is going quite well with this team playing like they are now off the drive, determination, and chemistry.
The Commish
National Lacrosse League Commissioner Brett Frood was my guest on Saturday’s halftime report. His assessment of the season so far was positive, and he remarked on the improvement of the teams that did not make the playoffs last year but are right up in the standings this season.
I asked the commissioner about the NLL’s newfound followers, which stemmed from the viral video of the Belter/Gash fight, prompting massive impressions.
“This is an opportunity to harness it. Many people’s eyes were on the NLL, and hopefully, they had a chance to see some of the games this past weekend,” said Commissioner Frood.
“But the reality is for all the fans out there that have watched us, we are a tough league. It’s intense every week.
“There were 28 goals (in the Buffalo/Toronto game), many of them spectacular. We had 18-thousand people there watching, so for me, it’s a league of intensity, physicality, and skill.
“And yeah, we will certainly have some fights along the way, but they are not at the epicenter of our DNA.”
The entire interview can be seen on the replay of the Buffalo/Philadelphia game on 1/18/25 on the NLL+ site.
If there’s one positive of another bye week, we can all follow Sabres when they take on the Oilers at 4 p.m. on Saturday, as well as the preparations for the Bills vs. Chiefs AFC Championship Game on Sunday at 6:30 pm.