The Buffalo Bandits (6-5) will meet the Saskatchewan Rush (10-2) for the second time this season on Friday night at KeyBank Center at 7:30P.M. EST. While the Rush have already clinched a playoff spot in the West Division, the Bandits find themselves in the thick of an incredibly tight race in the East Division.
When these teams met in January, the Rush opened up a 6-0 lead in the first quarter and a 12-5 lead in the second half only to have the Bandits win an overtime thriller 16-15.
“In the game we beat them in Saskatchewan, we had our worst first quarter of the year, but we probably had our best second half of the year,” said Bandits head coach Troy Cordingley. “We know the potential that we have, and that’s what we’re striving for. This league is so tight, you basically have to play a flawless game to win.”
Buffalo hopes to find another win, but they know every win is tough to come by in this league, especially against a team that has been as successful as the Rush.
“They are a consistent team that make very few mistakes. Their core has been together for five or six years,” said Coridingley. “Having said that, we believe we’re a good team as well. We’ve had some really good moments this year, but we’ve also had some not so good moments. With the young team we have, we’re going to run into that here and there. We’re looking to make a run here and get into the playoffs.”
The entire East Division is currently only separated by two games. Buffalo is holding onto the second place slot. They sit only 0.5 games behind the New England Black Wolves for first place, but only 0.5 games ahead of the third place Rochester Knighthawks.
“That’s the nature of the beast in this league. You have to bring your A-game to have a chance, and even then some bounces have to go you way,” noted Cordingley. “It’s difficult. There are five teams giving everything they’ve got to get one of the three spots.”
Friday night is game one of a two game weekend as Buffalo will head to Georgia to take on the Swarm on Sunday afternoon at 4:05P.M. EST. Two wins would put the Bandits back into sole possession of first place while two losses could have them looking up at the division.
The Buffalo Bandits (6-5) will meet the Saskatchewan Rush (10-2) for the second time this season on Friday night at KeyBank Center at 7:30P.M. EST. While the Rush have already clinched a playoff spot in the West Division, the Bandits find themselves in the thick of an incredibly tight race in the East Division.
When these teams met in January, the Rush opened up a 6-0 lead in the first quarter and a 12-5 lead in the second half only to have the Bandits win an overtime thriller 16-15.
“In the game we beat them in Saskatchewan, we had our worst first quarter of the year, but we probably had our best second half of the year,” said Bandits head coach Troy Cordingley. “We know the potential that we have, and that’s what we’re striving for. This league is so tight, you basically have to play a flawless game to win.”
Buffalo hopes to find another win, but they know every win is tough to come by in this league, especially against a team that has been as successful as the Rush.
“They are a consistent team that make very few mistakes. Their core has been together for five or six years,” said Coridingley. “Having said that, we believe we’re a good team as well. We’ve had some really good moments this year, but we’ve also had some not so good moments. With the young team we have, we’re going to run into that here and there. We’re looking to make a run here and get into the playoffs.”
The entire East Division is currently only separated by two games. Buffalo is holding onto the second place slot. They sit only 0.5 games behind the New England Black Wolves for first place, but only 0.5 games ahead of the third place Rochester Knighthawks.
“That’s the nature of the beast in this league. You have to bring your A-game to have a chance, and even then some bounces have to go you way,” noted Cordingley. “It’s difficult. There are five teams giving everything they’ve got to get one of the three spots.”
Friday night is game one of a two game weekend as Buffalo will head to Georgia to take on the Swarm on Sunday afternoon at 4:05P.M. EST. Two wins would put the Bandits back into sole possession of first place while two losses could have them looking up at the division.
