(Photo courtesy of the Buffalo Bandits Instagram)
The Vancouver Warriors traveled east to face the Buffalo Bandits in game one of their best of three semifinal series at the KeyBank Center in Buffalo, NY.
Since the acquisition of Christian Del Bianco, the Warriors have been white hot. Vancouver has been undefeated since the trade, and were looking to continue the streak. Marcus Klarich, Adam Charalambides, Keegan Bal, and Kevin Crowley lead a talented Warriors squad.
The Bandits are vying for a three-peat, and snuck by San Diego last week in a 5-4 victory. Josh Byrne and Dhane Smith lead a potent Bandits team. Tehoka Nanticoke, Chase Fraser, Ian MacKay, Chris Cloutier, and Kyle Buchanan also add to an high octane offense.
The goaltending match-up had Christian Del Bianco for Vancouver facing Matt Vinc in net for the Bandits.
Although Vancouver took an early lead, penalty trouble got them in a world of trouble in the first half. Buffalo scored three power-play goals en route to a 7-2 first half lead. Ian MacKay led all scorers with three goals, while Josh Byrne (1g,2a) had three points in the half.
The story in the second half was Buffalo’s defense. Holding a potent Vancouver team to only three goals in the game. While the Bandits only had a couple themselves, the game of keepaway they played with the Warriors was exceptional. Buffalo wins game one, 9-3.
To The Game:
The Warriors got on the board first on the power-play When Kevin Crowley scored from in close off a Ryan Martel pass at 3:04. Ian MacKay tied the game from in close with a fake then shot off a Ron John pass in transition at 5:14.
Dhane Smith gave the Bandits the lead on the power-play with a blast off a Josh Byrne pass at 7:48, followed by Chase Fraser with another laser to the top corner also on the power-play at 10:23.
After one quarter, Buffalo 3 Vancouver 1.
Second Quarter:
Ian MacKay opened the second quarter with a pair of goals. The first was on the power-play with a give and go from Kyle Buchanan to the top corner at 7:49, followed by a blast that Del Bianco got a glove on, but trickled in at 9:10. Tehoka Nanticoke then scored with an underhand shot that eluded Del Bianco at 9:58.
Aden Walsh replaced Christian Del Bianco in the Warriors net briefly.
Vancouver finally got on track when Dylan McIntosh quick sticked an Adam Charalambides pass on the power-play at 11:35, but a high to low shot through the five-hole from Josh Byrne restored the five goal lead at 12:11.
At the half, Buffalo 7 Vancouver 2.
Third Quarter:
The only goal of the third quarter came from Ian MacKay, his fourth of the night, off a one hand pass from Josh Byrne at 14:49.
(Photo courtesy of Buffalo Bandits Instagram)
After three quarters, Buffalo 8 Vancouver 2.
Fourth Quarter:
The Warriors got on the board with Keegan Bal firing a howitzer to the far corner on the power-play at 2:36, but a Dhane Smith goal off a Josh Byrne feed on the power-play restored the six goal lead.
Final score, Buffalo 9 Vancouver 3.
The Three Stars:
1. Matt Vinc
2. Ian MacKay
3. Josh Byrne
Game Stats:
- The shots on goal favored Buffalo 49-38.
- The faceoff battle was won by Vancouver 9-7.
- The loose ball battle went to the Bandits 63-55
- Vancouver went 3 for 5 on the power-play, while Buffalo went 4 for 7.
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