fbpx

BUF at SD - Sat. 10pm ET on ESPNews Schedule

×
WK
1
Fri, Dec 2
FINAL
Philadelphia
8
Halifax
18
Sat, Dec 3
FINAL
Vancouver
8
Toronto
19
Sat, Dec 3
FINAL
San Diego
15
New York
14
Sat, Dec 3
FINAL
Albany
11
Buffalo
10
Sat, Dec 3
FINAL
Rochester
16
Georgia
11
Sat, Dec 3
FINAL
Colorado
6
Saskatchewan
18
WK
2
Fri, Dec 9
FINAL
Las Vegas
11
Panther City
13
Fri, Dec 9
FINAL/OT
Saskatchewan
12
San Diego
13
Sat, Dec 10
FINAL
Toronto
7
Rochester
11
Sat, Dec 10
FINAL
Vancouver
9
Calgary
11
WK
3
Fri, Dec 16
FINAL
Calgary
14
Vancouver
5
Fri, Dec 16
FINAL
Panther City
9
Las Vegas
3
Sat, Dec 17
FINAL
Buffalo
11
Toronto
8
Sat, Dec 17
FINAL
Rochester
14
Albany
13
Sat, Dec 17
FINAL
Philadelphia
13
Georgia
12
Sat, Dec 17
FINAL
Halifax
20
New York
11
Sat, Dec 17
FINAL
Colorado
12
Panther City
9
WK
5
Fri, Dec 30
FINAL
Halifax
13
Buffalo
18
Fri, Dec 30
FINAL
San Diego
17
Calgary
14
Sat, Dec 31
FINAL
Panther City
9
Saskatchewan
11
WK
6
Fri, Jan 6
FINAL
Philadelphia
14
Las Vegas
9
Sat, Jan 7
FINAL
Panther City
9
Rochester
17
Sat, Jan 7
FINAL
Halifax
14
Albany
11
Sat, Jan 7
FINAL
Buffalo
18
Georgia
9
Sat, Jan 7
FINAL
Toronto
15
New York
7
Sat, Jan 7
FINAL
Calgary
8
Colorado
9
Sat, Jan 7
FINAL
Vancouver
11
San Diego
16
WK
7
Fri, Jan 13
FINAL/OT
Albany
11
Halifax
10
Fri, Jan 13
FINAL/OT
Saskatchewan
10
Colorado
11
Sat, Jan 14
FINAL
Halifax
8
Toronto
17
Sat, Jan 14
FINAL
Panther City
12
Philadelphia
10
Sat, Jan 14
FINAL
Georgia
9
Buffalo
11
Sat, Jan 14
FINAL
San Diego
10
Calgary
14
Sat, Jan 14
FINAL
Las Vegas
16
Vancouver
19
Sun, Jan 15
FINAL
Rochester
11
New York
8
WK
8
Fri, Jan 20
FINAL
Buffalo
12
Rochester
15
Fri, Jan 20
FINAL
Vancouver
14
Las Vegas
15
Sat, Jan 21
FINAL
Toronto
14
Philadelphia
5
Sat, Jan 21
FINAL
New York
16
Albany
10
WK
9
Fri, Jan 27
FINAL
Rochester
7
Halifax
17
Fri, Jan 27
FINAL
Buffalo
13
Philadelphia
9
Sat, Jan 28
FINAL
Buffalo
16
New York
10
Sat, Jan 28
FINAL
Las Vegas
10
Saskatchewan
15
Sat, Jan 28
FINAL/OT
Toronto
11
Calgary
10
Sat, Jan 28
FINAL
San Diego
13
Colorado
9
Sat, Jan 28
FINAL
Panther City
20
Vancouver
7
WK
10
Fri, Feb 3
FINAL
Georgia
10
Colorado
13
Sat, Feb 4
FINAL/OT
Calgary
12
Halifax
11
Sat, Feb 4
FINAL
New York
14
Toronto
22
Sat, Feb 4
FINAL
Albany
5
Philadelphia
13
Sat, Feb 4
FINAL
Rochester
10
Buffalo
13
Sat, Feb 4
FINAL
Panther City
10
San Diego
12
Sat, Feb 4
FINAL
Saskatchewan
14
Vancouver
8
Sat, Feb 4
FINAL
Colorado
8
Las Vegas
13
WK
11
Fri, Feb 10
FINAL
Toronto
11
Georgia
10
Fri, Feb 10
FINAL
Saskatchewan
6
Calgary
13
Sat, Feb 11
FINAL
Halifax
14
Rochester
16
Sat, Feb 11
FINAL
Albany
12
New York
14
Sat, Feb 11
FINAL
Vancouver
13
Panther City
14
Sat, Feb 11
FINAL
Colorado
9
Calgary
13
WK
12
Fri, Feb 17
FINAL
Calgary
14
Vancouver
9
Fri, Feb 17
FINAL
Saskatchewan
16
San Diego
11
Sat, Feb 18
FINAL
Georgia
7
Toronto
16
Sat, Feb 18
FINAL
Las Vegas
12
Albany
10
Sat, Feb 18
FINAL/OT
Philadelphia
12
Buffalo
13
Sat, Feb 18
FINAL
Colorado
7
Panther City
13
Sun, Feb 19
FINAL
New York
12
Halifax
13
WK
13
Fri, Feb 24
FINAL
Panther City
12
Colorado
14
Fri, Feb 24
FINAL
Calgary
9
Las Vegas
11
Sat, Feb 25
FINAL/OT
New York
10
Rochester
11
Sat, Feb 25
FINAL
Albany
4
Georgia
20
Sat, Feb 25
FINAL
Vancouver
16
Saskatchewan
12
WK
14
Fri, Mar 3
FINAL
Buffalo
10
Halifax
9
Sat, Mar 4
FINAL
New York
12
Philadelphia
19
Sat, Mar 4
FINAL
Las Vegas
12
San Diego
15
Sat, Mar 4
FINAL
Rochester
8
Toronto
9
Sat, Mar 4
FINAL/OT
Georgia
9
Albany
8
Sat, Mar 4
FINAL
Saskatchewan
10
Panther City
16
Mon, Mar 6
FINAL
Toronto
10
Philadelphia
11
WK
15
Fri, Mar 10
FINAL/OT
Halifax
9
Buffalo
10
Fri, Mar 10
FINAL
Calgary
16
Colorado
10
Sat, Mar 11
FINAL
Albany
6
Toronto
12
Sat, Mar 11
FINAL
Philadelphia
10
New York
13
Sat, Mar 11
FINAL
San Diego
12
Saskatchewan
11
Sat, Mar 11
FINAL
Vancouver
14
Las Vegas
5
Sun, Mar 12
FINAL
Rochester
19
Georgia
18
WK
16
Fri, Mar 17
FINAL
Saskatchewan
6
Calgary
11
Fri, Mar 17
FINAL
San Diego
16
Vancouver
9
Sat, Mar 18
FINAL
Georgia
13
Philadelphia
12
Sat, Mar 18
FINAL
Toronto
12
Halifax
14
Sat, Mar 18
FINAL
Albany
10
New York
13
Sat, Mar 18
FINAL
Colorado
13
Buffalo
8
Sat, Mar 18
FINAL
Las Vegas
8
Panther City
11
Sun, Mar 19
FINAL/OT
Philadelphia
9
Rochester
8
WK
17
Fri, Mar 24
20:30:00
San Diego
Panther City
Sat, Mar 25
19:00:00
Toronto
Albany
Sat, Mar 25
19:00:00
Halifax
Philadelphia
Sat, Mar 25
19:30:00
Georgia
New York
Sat, Mar 25
21:30:00
Calgary
Saskatchewan
Sat, Mar 25
22:00:00
Buffalo
San Diego
Sat, Mar 25
22:00:00
Colorado
Vancouver
Sat, Mar 25
22:30:00
Rochester
Las Vegas
WK
18
Fri, Mar 31
19:00:00
New York
Georgia
Fri, Mar 31
21:00:00
Las Vegas
Colorado
Fri, Mar 31
22:00:00
Calgary
San Diego
Sat, Apr 1
19:00:00
Buffalo
Toronto
Sat, Apr 1
20:00:00
Albany
Panther City
Sat, Apr 1
21:30:00
Vancouver
Saskatchewan
Sun, Apr 2
13:00:00
Georgia
Halifax
Sun, Apr 2
18:00:00
Rochester
Philadelphia
WK
19
Sat, Apr 8
19:00:00
Albany
Rochester
Sat, Apr 8
19:00:00
Saskatchewan
Georgia
Sat, Apr 8
21:00:00
Panther City
Calgary
Sat, Apr 8
21:00:00
Vancouver
Colorado
Sat, Apr 8
22:30:00
San Diego
Las Vegas
WK
20
Fri, Apr 14
21:00:00
Las Vegas
Calgary
Fri, Apr 14
21:00:00
San Diego
Colorado
Sat, Apr 15
19:00:00
Philadelphia
Toronto
Sat, Apr 15
19:00:00
Georgia
Albany
Sat, Apr 15
19:30:00
New York
Buffalo
Sat, Apr 15
21:30:00
Halifax
Saskatchewan
Sat, Apr 15
22:00:00
Panther City
Vancouver
WK
21
Fri, Apr 21
20:30:00
Calgary
Panther City
Sat, Apr 22
18:00:00
New York
Halifax
Sat, Apr 22
19:00:00
Georgia
Rochester
Sat, Apr 22
20:00:00
Toronto
Buffalo
Sat, Apr 22
21:30:00
Colorado
Saskatchewan
Sat, Apr 22
22:00:00
Las Vegas
San Diego
Sun, Apr 23
15:00:00
Philadelphia
Albany
WK
22
Sat, Apr 29
19:00:00
Philadelphia
Rochester
Sat, Apr 29
19:00:00
Buffalo
Albany
Sat, Apr 29
19:00:00
Halifax
Georgia
Sat, Apr 29
22:00:00
Colorado
San Diego
Sat, Apr 29
22:00:00
New York
Vancouver
Sat, Apr 29
22:30:00
Saskatchewan
Las Vegas
Powered By
MGM Logo
Scores / Schedule
Stories/Op-Ed

Bandits’ Tavares Will Return In 2015

Buffalo’s veteran enters 24th season plus coverage from 2014 NLL Draft

He’s back. The Buffalo Bandits have announced legendary forward John Tavares, the National Lacrosse League’s all-time leading scorer, will return to the team for a league-record 24th season after reaching a contract agreement earlier this month.

“John wanted to make sure we wanted to have him back,” said Bandits director of lacrosse operations Scott Loffler. “Of course, we couldn’t say no.”

The 46-year-old helped the Bandits return to the playoffs last year by posting 51 points (24+27) in 16 games in a bounceback effort following his 2013 campaign that saw him play only 12 games due to injury.

“We’re excited,” said Bandits general manager Steve Dietrich. “JT seems to be getting older, but his production doesn’t seem to decline, and he’s a tremendous leader in the locker room. It’s fantastic to have the greatest player back.”

Tavares, a four-time NLL champion who won the league’s MVP award three times (1994, 2000 & 2001), holds the league record in pretty much every statistical category including points (1,717), goals (803), assists (914) and games played (296).

“The guy’s a phenom,” added Bandits assistant coach Dan Teat.

This season, Tavares will have a few left-handed prospects to mentor as the team was busy during the 2014 NLL Draft at Toronto Rock Athletic Centre on Monday, Sept. 22.

Bandits head coach Troy Cordingley said beforehand that the team had to “fill some areas where we can get better.” In order to help the team do just that, the Bandits traded back into the first round to select Brandon Goodwin.

“He’s a big kid who our western scouts really like,” said Bandits general manager Steve Dietrich. “We felt like we needed to get ahead of a few teams to get him.”

Goodwin is a left-handed forward who had lots of success at Adelphi University with a big body and good hands. He’s been scouted as a strong complementary offensive player. Goodwin’s sophomore year saw 89 points from his midfield spot.

Buffalo traded Rory Smith, Eric Penney and the 12th overall pick in 2014 to Vancouver for Nick Weiss, the 9th overall pick (’14), the Stealth’s 2015 second round pick and their first round pick in 2018.

Nick Weiss was acquired by Vancouver in the second round of the 2013 draft, 17th overall. The gritty enforcer played 16 games last year and recorded 86 loose balls and 13 points. Weiss is expected to help fill the hole left by trading away Smith.

With their first pick in the second round, the Bandits selected Matthew Bennett (LT) from the Brampton Excelsiors, a physical player who racked up 193 penalty minutes last season. Bennett said being drafted by the Bandits was a “dream come true” while noting that he can “add some edge and grit out the back door…I see myself fitting in on transition.”

Bennett also has attended Bandits games before and said he was star struck when he shook Tavares’ hand.

At 24th overall, the Bandits selected Jordan Dance from Orangeville. Dance’s father played in the league in the early 1990’s. 

“My dad had a lot of friends who played for Buffalo,” Dance said. “I was always keeping my eye on playing for them.”

Dance is described as a pesky lefty who won a Minto Cup with the Orangeville Northmen in 2012.

Buffalo also selected versatile transition player Tyler Ferreira in the second round. He’s excited to join the Bandits organization and said he’s ready to bring his game to Buffalo.

“Coming in as a young guy, I bring a lot of speed and can find the middle of the floor,” said Ferreira after being drafted.

The Bandits moved back into the sixth round of the draft to select Mike Melnychenko. Steve Dietrich traded for Melnychenko halfway through the summer indoor season and must have liked what he saw as he made the trade with New England to acquire him.

“I’m excited to be drafted by the home team, the closest team to me,” said Melnychenko. “I want to bang some bodies and get people open.” 

Mike also spent some time playing with Ryan Benesch and Shawn Williams in his summer league.

The Bandits brass seemed to focus on left-handed offensive talent with the 2014 draft. There will be stiff competition in camp for the few left side spots in transition and forward positions.

Dietrich talked about their selections and how they’d fit in with Williams, Benesch and Tavares. The Bandits are hoping to find some support for an aging left side, especially off-ball to get Benesch and Tavares open.

“If these draft picks come to camp with an open mind, they can learn a lot from them,” he said.

Buffalo’s GM also talked about the Weiss for Smith trade.

“Nick Weiss is a kid we targeted last year,” Dietrich said. “He’s hard-nosed and gritty like Rory in a lot of ways.”

With the trade, the Bandits stockpiled some future draft picks including a second-round selection in what is considered to be a deep 2015 draft. Buffalo will help open the 2015 NLL season by visiting the New England Black Wolves at Mohegan Sun Arena on Friday, Jan. 2.

NLL