Boston Blazers Lose 9-8 in Heartbreaker
In a heartbreaker at the TD Bank Garden in Boston, MA, the Boston Blazers lost to the Buffalo Bandits 9-8 only 36 seconds into overtime on Sat. March 13, when Buffalo forward John Tavares scored against Boston goalie Anthony Cosmo, leaving the Blazers in a trail of smoke. But, the goal didn’t end the game for either team.
Within minutes, each team ran back towards each other in a whirlwind of emotions ready to brawl.
The Bandits ignited the spark after scoring in overtime and celebrating zealously next to the Blazers’ bench. Soon after, the refs intervened, coaches grabbed players and teammates pulled one another out. Finally the fight ceased.
The Blazers entered the game knowing the Bandits’ reputation for playing cheap. And the Blazers knew the Bandits weren’t going to be tired from the playing the day before, said Cosmo, who had 41 saves in the game.
It was a slow scoreless start to the first quarter until Boston’s Jack Reid was dealt a slashing penalty and Buffalo’s transition player Mark Steenhuis took advantage of the power play scoring with 2:46 left in the first for Buffalo. Soon after, Bandits’ forward Jon Harasym scored at the 1:01 mark.
But, the Blazers weren’t ready to give up a scoreless first quarter; 32 seconds later Boston forward Daryl Veltman scored on Buffalo goalie Mike Thompson.
When both teams headed into the second quarter, the play picked up, the music continuously blared from the speakers throughout the game, the hitting increased, the intensity amplified, and the goals kept coming.
By the end of the second half the score was 4-3 Buffalo. The Bandits had 11 shots on net versus Boston’s 14. Brenden Thenhaus and Matt Lyons led the scoring for Boston with one goal each in the second quarter.
After a quick 15-minute halftime during which two local high school lacrosse teams played a mini-game, both teams took the field once again and readied their gear for what was sure to be an exciting second half.
The Blazers went on an offensive prowl scoring two goals out of 15 shots by Brendan Thenhaus and team captain “Dangerous” Dan Dawson, to take the lead in the third quarter 5-4.
Heading into the quarter, Buffalo was ready to bounce back but, Boston took a three goal lead in the fourth quarter by goals from forward Nick Cotter and defenseman Matt Abbott. In the game of lacrosse, a three goal lead is negligable because of the fast paced back and forth scoring.
Later on, some step up play by Buffalo led their forwards John Tavares and Tom Montour to score and help climb their way back up to a one goal game with Boston still leading 7-6.
Bandits forward Roger Vyse then scored to tie it up at 7 apiece with 9:46 remaining. Buffalos’ Vyse improved his play even more and within a minute, he scored-upsetting the Blazers to take the lead 8-7. But, Boston’s Thenhaus with 5:17 remaining, rebounded with a goal to retie the game and complete his hattrick.
Buffalo ultimately diminished Bostons’ chance at the playoff by beating them in overtime.
Though they suffered a loss at home, Boston outplayed the Bandits in almost every aspect of the game that night, but there were a few things that could have been executed differently said head coach Tom Ryan.
“Our power play has been a problem all year, and that’s one of our priorities to work on this week,” said Ryan.
“To lose a game like that and ourselves like that is just painful. We can’t settle for those outside shots.”
Ben Cohen is a senior at Barnstable High School
The Blazers Beat is a student reporter program which provides high school students access to the Garden on game nights. Students will receive a media credential for a game of their choice, access to the post-game player and coach press conference and can write a game recap which the Blazers will help to publish with their local papers. For more information, contact Krista Olson, Marketing & Event Operations Manager at krista@blazerslacrosse.com.