National Lacrosse League

John Tavares assisted on five straight fourth-quarter goals, two of them by Jonas Derks in the final minute of the game, as the Buffalo Bandits stormed from behind to snatch a 23-22 win over the Washington Power Saturday at the Capital Centre.

Derks netted the game-winner ten seconds before the buzzer.
The Bandits led 18-17 with one period left, but Washington's Gait brothers fueled a five goal comeback at the top of the fourth quarter. Paul Gait served as playmaker, picking up assists on Paul Cantabene's equalizer at 1:52 and Gary Gait tallies at 2:11 and 6:57. Matt Shearer boosted the Power's lead to 21-18 with 7:22 left, and John Rosa gave Washington a little more breathing room at 10:16.

Accursi started the Bandits' furious comeback with 3:40 left on the clock, and Roy Colsey narrowed the gap to one (22-21) with goals at 13:45 and 13:59.

Accursi and Colsey each finished with four goals, and Colsey contributed a pair of assists. Tavares took the playmakers' prize, however, setting up ten tallies while scoring three of his own.

Gary Gait led the power in points with 12 (3 9), with Paul Gait close behind at 11 (4 7). Shearer recorded a double hat trick, plus three assists.

The teams combined for a dizzying 134 shots. Ken Montour stopped 44 in goal for the Bandits. Washington starter Devin Dalep snagged 12 shots in each of the first two quarters before being replaced by Erik Miller, who made 22 saves.