Bandits lose third in a row
Published: January 23, 2010, 1:30 am
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EVERETT, Wash. — The Buffalo Bandits probably need to send John Tavares a get-well card about now. Maybe Ken Montour needs one too.
The Bandits didn't have either of those stars in the lineup at times on Friday night, and the result was the team's third straight loss at the start of the current season. The Washington Stealth recorded a 13-11 win over the Bandits before 2,879 in Comcast Arena.
The Bandits tied a team record for the worst start in team history. The club had lost its first three games in 1992, the first year of the franchise's existence. Buffalo rebounded that season by winning its remaining five regular-season games, and then sweeping through the playoffs to win the league title.
Buffalo will try to avoid breaking that team record tonight, when it plays in Edmonton against the Rush (9 p.m., Radio 1520 AM).
Tavares still hasn't played in his first game this season. He's been bothered by a calf injury and was again a late scratch on Friday night. Tavares led the league in goals last season, and is the league's all-time leading scorer.
Montour's injury took place in the second period, and he left the game for the rest of the night. Montour, the league's top goaltender in 2009, was replaced by Angus Goodleaf, who played in his first-ever game for Buffalo.
The Bandits slowly fell behind during the course of the game after Ian Llord scored the contest's first goal. Buffalo trailed by 4-2 after the first quarter and by 7-6 at the half.
Then Washington outscored the Bandits, 4-2, to fall behind by 11-8 after three quarters, and the Stealth held on from there. Buffalo pulled its goalie in the final two minutes when down by three goals, but Kevin Dostie was the only Bandit who could score before time ran out.
Mark Steenhuis was the only offensive bright spot for the Bandits. He had five goals and an assist, while rookie Chris Corbeil, Brett Bucktooth, Mike Accursi, and Chris Driscoll were the other goal-scorers.
Cam Segwick led the Stealth with four goals, while Jeff Zywicki had a goal and five assists.
Montour saved 16 of 23 shots, while Goodleaf had nine saves on 15 shots. Tyler Richards of Washington stopped 20 of 31 shots.
It was the first-ever meeting between the teams. The San Jose franchise moved to suburban Seattle in the offseason.
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