The Bandits will win the title with defense
Per Adam Levi, everyone on the Rush outside of Zach Manns shot a combined 3 of 62 on Saturday night. Just a shade under 5% shooting. As a team. Buffalo won the game 9-7. Saskatchewan played a clean game. They didn’t have a single penalty minute. They won more loose balls. They caused more turnovers. But the Bandits blocked a whopping 13 shots (Dawson and Wyers soaked three each). The Bandits seem to be able to do no wrong. This was by far their lowest scoring output of the year, with the next lowest being 13 goals. And yet it was the fourth time this season they’ve held an opponent to seven or fewer. Even when the offense isn’t running it up, the Bandits can find ways to win. The Rush had the lead for nearly half the game clock, but a big three goal run in the 4th quarter put things away.
Calgary picked the wrong week to quit shooting
The Riggers made waves this week with the acquisition of Nick Rose to upgrade the goalie spot. Surely with Rosie in net, the offense would keep cooking, and Calgary would be well positioned for a deep playoff run. Colorado rained on the parade this week. The Roughnecks offense had serious struggles. They didn’t score in the first quarter, and only had two goals at half time. Dillon Ward was a major reason why, he finished with 49 saves, but we aren’t used to see Curtis Dickson shoot 2/15, or Dane Dobbie score just once on eight shots. A visit to the Loud House is never easy, but Calgary’s experience on the offensive end should have them prepared for anything. With better shooting days, this team is in fact built for a playoff run. But eight goals on 57 shots isn’t a recipe for success for anyone.
Albany spent the 4th quarter in the offseason
A year after reaching the finals, it’s been a season to forget for the FireWolves. They currently sit at 3-9, tied for the league’s worst record. The average margin in their last four losses is over six goals. With a young team, consistency can be a challenged. Albany certainly is a young squad. But the drop off may be taking a mental toll on the Wolves. Against Rochester, they entered the fourth quarter trailing by only three goals. Given their firepower, certainly it was a deficit within reach. They cut it to one with a pair of quick ones on the power play, and fortunes seemed to be changing. Bur Ryan Lanchbury scored two goals about a minute apart, grinding Albany’s momentum to a screeching halt. Late penalties by Mike Byrne and Sam Firth gave Rochester plenty of power play chances, and the Hawks put the game out of reach. Rochester ended the game on a 6-0 run, the last four coming on power plays (the last being an empty net goal). It was frustration from Albany that comes with just being ready for the season to end.
The Thompsons have Georgia buzzin
We had the trifecta on Saturday night. It doesn’t happen often, but when it does, it’s a pretty special occurrence. Miles Thompson scored a goal, primary assist to Lyle Thompson, secondary assist to Jeremy Thompson. Thompson, from Thompson and Thompson. Jeremy ran the floor, left it for Lyle who started the offense and found Miles inside off a savvy roll from a pick. The trio of Thompsons combined for eight points, 15 loose balls, and 14 shots on goal. As a cherry on top, Lyle reached the 350 goal mark, just the 28th player in league history to do it. Georgia has now won back to back games and three of their last four, the lone loss by one goal. The remaining schedule is challenging, but Georgia’s recent form has them positioned for a top four playoff seed if they can keep it up.
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