Thunderbirds Fall in First Game of Doubleheader Weekend, 16-11 to the Bandits
Mar 26, 2022
BUFFALO, N.Y. (March 26, 2022) – In their first game of another doubleheader weekend, the Halifax Thunderbirds (8-4) fell on the road at KeyBank Centre to the Buffalo Bandits (11-1) on Saturday afternoon.
Newcomer Dawson Theede had a big game his first time in purple and orange, and defenceman Jake Withers made NLL history by becoming the fastest player to reach 1000 career face-off wins, doing so in just 56 games. However, a 5-1 second quarter for the Thunderbirds was overmatched by them being outscored 10-3 the rest of the way.
Chris Cloutier opened up the contest’s scoring with a diving goal, but Eric Fannell answered a minute later in return, followed by Theede delivering off a great two-man play to put the Thunderbirds up 2-1. A three-goal run from the Bandits saw them take the lead back, and an extra attacker goal from Stephen Keogh was matched by an outside shot from Dhane Smith. The first quarter ended in the Bandits’ favor, 5-3.
The Bandits started the scoring in the second quarter, but it would be their last tally for the remainder of the half. Back-to-back shorthanded markers from Keogh and Fannell were followed by a transition goal from Tyson Bell. Theede’s second goal of the game was a slick turnaround shot around his defender low to high into the far corner, and captain Cody Jamieson capped the five-goal run with a stinger shortside. Halftime came with the Thunderbirds in the lead, 8-6.
Theeded changed the quarter-opening narrative, as he hammered in a goal off the bench, but the Bandits found a groove. They outscored the visiting team 6-1 the rest of the third quarter, as the Thunderbirds lone goal came courtesy of Shawn Evans’ shot trickling through goalie Matt Vinc. The third quarter ended with the Bandits up 12-10.
The final frame was more of the same, with the Bandits outscoring the Thunderbirds 4-1. Theede’s fourth goal of the game was the only time his team found the back of the net in the quarter, bookended by two-goal streaks from the Bandits. The final buzzer sounded with the Bandits winning 16-11.
Evans led the Thunderbirds in scoring with six points (1G, 5A), followed by Theede’s five points (4G, 1A). Goalie Warren Hill earned the loss after making 26 saves, a .619 Sv%.
The Bandits were led by Smith’s nine points (3G, 6A), followed by Josh Byrne with seven points (3G, 4A). Vinc made 54 stops, holding the Thunderbirds scoreless on their seven power play opportunities and finishing the night with a .831 Sv%.
Both teams turn around immediately and head to Nova Scotia for the back end of this home-and-home doubleheader. They play Sunday at 5 p.m. AT at Scotibank Centre.