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ROCK HOST BANDITS TO KICK OFF WEEKEND

Buffalo heads to Toronto looking to build on last week's win

03/12/2010

By Megan Robinson, covering the Rock for NLL.com

After a well-timed bye week and much needed rest, the Toronto Rock (6-4) are back to host the Buffalo Bandits (3-6) Friday night at the Air Canada Center. The Bandits rank fifth in the East Division and trail the Rock by two and a half games going into the tenth week of the season. The Rock are 0-3 in their last three games after a successful start to the season and look to end their losing streak against the Bandits, who make their first and only trip to Toronto. Game time is scheduled for 7:30pm EST and will broadcast live on the NLL Network at NLL.com.

The Rock, who played an exhausting ten games in the first eight weeks of the season, are revitalized after a week off and ready for a strong comeback in the final weeks of the season. Toronto Rock General Manager Terry Sanderson commented earlier this week about the effects that playing ten games in eight consecutive weekends had on the team, which contributed to a handful of injuries for the Rock roster.

"We got banged up," said Sanderson by phone Thursday morning. "But in this league, that's just the way things are at times."

After winning six of their first seven games, the Rock began to falter. The ease in which they played together and executed the systems coached by Troy Cordingley had altered, resulting in two road losses and a loss at home in week nine of the season. The Rock, who scored 99 goals (an average of 14.14 goals per game) in their first seven games, scored 33 goals (an average of 11 goals per game). Sanderson made it very clear that playing ten games led to an increase in injury but did not contribute to the current losing streak.

"Teams outplayed us," said Sanderson about the Rock. "Our guys started taking things for granted and didn't trust the system."

The Bandits square off with the Rock for the second of three meetings this season this weekend, a series the Rock lead 1-0 after winning Feb. 6 in Buffalo by the score of 14-10. Sanderson, along with other members of the Toronto coaching staff, were in Buffalo last weekend to take in the Bandits' win against the Orlando Titans. The Bandits, who are 1-3 on the road, look to build on the momentum they gained last weekend at home. Sanderson noted that he liked the way the Bandits are playing with more confidence than they did at the beginning of the season and is looking forward to seeing them play in Toronto.

"We expect to see the same thing from Buffalo this weekend that we saw from them last weekend," said Sanderson. "That win was typical of Buffalo and we're expecting the same."

Trying to break their losing streak, the Rock approach this weekend well rested and eager to come back and take on the rest of the season. The Rock's attitude going into the game Friday is one of respect, according to Sanderson; respect for the Bandits and the tough situation they're in at this point in the season.

"Overall it's a respectful attitude this weekend," said Sanderson. "Most importantly, respect for ourselves as we get back to doing things the way we want to be doing them."

Watch the game live on The NLL Network at NLL.com.

By Jonathan McGrath, covering the Bandits for NLL.com

The Buffalo Bandits (3-6) will attempt to build on their biggest win of the season and move up in the East Division standings on the road this weekend. Coming off of a much needed home win against the Orlando Titans last weekend, the Bandits will hit the road to start a two-game weekend against East Division rivals. They face off with the first-place Toronto Rock (6-4) on Friday night, then travel to Boston to take on the Blazers (5-4) Saturday night.

With a win in either contest, Bandits Head Coach Darris Kilgour would break the record for most regular season coaching wins. Last weekend in a 12-10 victory over the Orlando Titans, he tied Les Bartley's record with 93 regular season wins. According to the Bandits' head coach, his team means much more to him than any record.

"It doesn't matter one bit to me. I'm here to win championships and I'm here to win games and I'm here to be part of the team. I'm never going to separate myself," said Kilgour.

Bandits goalie Ken Montour will have his work cut out for him against Toronto. After making 43 saves last weekend, Montour will face a team with four of the league's top ten leading scorers. Colin Doyle leads the league in points with 61, and rookie Garrett Billings is a close second with 58. According Torontorock.com, Billings is fulfilling team expectations extremely well.

"Garrett was the guy we wanted. We were obviously very thrilled when we got the opportunity to draft him," said Rock owner Jamie Dawick. "I told him that we were committed to him being here and being a part of rebuilding this franchise and the rest is history, really."

The Bandits hope to stop the Rock's offensive attack and score some goals of their own. Buffalo forward Mark Steenhuis, who had six goals last week, will look to continue his scoring momentum.

Both Bandits contests this weekend are set for a 7:30pm EST start and can be seen live on The NLL Network at NLL.com.