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Buffalo Bandits fan is a bit spoiled, and rightly so. The last time the Bandits didn’t qualify for the National Lacrosse League playoffs was way back in 2002 but since then, they’ve celebrated a 2008 title and come real close with title-game losses in 2004 and 2006. So when last year’s edition got off to a 7-1 start then saw that melt away with a 3-5 mark down the stretch and a loss to New York in the East semifinals, it left a bad taste. Coach Darris Kilgour was none too pleased and he vowed changes, starting with the removal of himself as general manager. But he didn’t stop there.

“I gave up the GM role because I was very unhappy with the way the season ended last year,” Kilgour told The Buffalo News last week.  “I don’t want my name attached to that, but I know it will be. I told my team that this is something they’ll go to their graves with.”

Chuckle all you want about ”the grave” comment, but if you know Kilgour at all, you know he wasn’t smiling when he said it. Competition is something Kilgour takes to heart so if he’s saying stuff like that months after the season ended, you can imagine what he was thinking in the days following the season’s end. Point is, Kilgour’s not afraid to man-up when anything competitive is on the line and the direction the Bandits are taking this offseason backs it all up.

Gone are Bandits mainstays Pat McCready and Phil Sanderson. Kilgour said both unrestricted free agents were offered contracts after the season but neither one was heard from. The result? Gone. They were dealt to the Toronto Rock. In another deal, made on draft day, Kilgour pulled the trigger on a deal to bring in the sturdy Frank Resetarits, a native of nearby Hamburg who will shore up a spotty right side. Jon Harasym, another gritty forward, was acquired on a draft day trade, and Kilgour abandoned his two-goalie approach and named Ken Montour the No. 1 goalie.

Losing is something Kilgour’s never been non-chalant about. There are no excuses for losing in his book, so to come up short last season with essentially the same roster that won it all the year before is what’s sticking in his craw. But just as he did in his playing days, he’s doing something about it. And there really isn’t any reason to doubt Kilgour’s gonna get it done right.

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Some of the Calgary Roughnecks helped raise money for cancer research by getting arrested … The Wild Bunch dance team has been named for the new Colorado Mammoth season … Minnesota Swarm plans to honor the Native American roots of lacrosse … The Philadelphia Business Journal sings the praises of the Philadelphia Wings … The Toronto Rock signed a few fellas, including Sandy Chapman, Scott Campbell, Kasey Biernes, Phil Sanderson and Dave Cutten … The Orlando Titans want their fans in Florida to know what they’re up to, including plans for a few Casey Powell billboard ads around town … Washington Stealth fan! Get to know Brett Manney!

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