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  It was only two years ago that the Buffalo Bandits were in a similar place. In 2006 they had the best record in the NLL (at 11-5) and were meeting a team Western team (Colorado Mammoth) whom they had just beaten late in the season.  I worked that Championship game for ESPN that year and I remember that the Bandits were very loose heading into the game. They weren’t cocky or arrogant but practices were open to the media and they were working hard but having fun. In my opinion they were ready for a championship. However a funny thing happened on the way to the forum – I mean HSBC Center. Maybe they were a little over confident but what killed them that day was that they seemed more concerned with hurting the Mammoth than winning the game.  The loose team that I saw before the game was replaced by a team that had lost all composure and before long the Bandits were down 7-1 on their way to a 16-9 loss.  On the night Colorado scored 6 power play goals on 10 chances. Buffalo was 0 for 1.  

So I guess I wasn’t surprised when the Bandits sent out an email to media members stating that the only media access to the team would be a Tuesday practice in Buffalo. If I were them I would want to prepare for this game with a different routine than two years ago – even if its just for superstitious reasons.

 So of course I considered it lucky when I bumped into one of the Buffalo Bandits at the gas station the other day. He had just come home from practice and was not looking to be interviewed but I bombarded him a few questions anyhow. To be fair I won’t mention his name. My first questions was “What do the Bandits have to do differently this year than 2006″.  The answer was not unexpected. “Stay out of the penalty box”.  Second question. Who do you start in net?  He said he honestly doesn’t know. He was surprised the coaches made a change heading to the divisional final but both goalies have played well and so far the coach’s decisions on goaltending have worked. Third and last question: How do you plan to stop Dawson? To answer this he first stated that he’s not going to give me any specific game plans but then he said that he doesn’t think they have anything special planned for Dawson. (it should be noted that the Bandit I was speaking to plays offence – not Defense). “Maybe it’s the style of game our defense plays but Dan Dawson has never had a big game against us”.  Could that be true? Dawson has 22 points in two playoff games. So of course when I went home I checked the stats when I got home.  Buffalo defeated Portland 14-10 the last game of the season. Dawson had 1 goal and 2 assists. Last year the Bandits spanked the Arizona Sting (Dawson team in 2007) 15-5   and Dawson again had 1 goal and 2 assists.  In 2006 the Bandits defeated Arizona 13-10 and Dawson only had 1 and 1.

 So my mystery Bandit is correct. Dawson has only 3 goals and 4 assists in 3 losses against the Bandits, hardly monster numbers. However great players turn it up for the big games and there’s no game bigger than this one. Regardless of what he’s done in the past I’d be preparing my team for Dawson the same way I’d prepare them for a game against John Grant or Gary Gait.  I’m also pretty sure the Bandits already know that.

I’ll give you my prediction tomorrow.

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