Bandits vs. Rock

 

The Bandits head to Toronto tonight to face  their Canadian nemeses the Toronto Rock.  The Bandits have not beaten the Rock at the Air Canada Center since 2006.  The Rock play a very defensive style that always seems to stifle the Bandits. 

The Bandits have shown that they are in mid season form in their win over the Wings last Saturday night.  The Bandits defense came to play in that game, holding the Wings to five goals in the first three periods.   With Laverty gone and Kilgour out, the defense has stepped up and played a much tighter defense than the style they played last year.  Last year, the Bandits had a good defense but the offense could score at will.  This year, the defense should be able to help the offense out and keep the game close if they cannot score.  The Bandits first goal came 10 minutes into the first quarter, which was a tying goal thanks to the defense.

The Toronto Rock look to be a higher flying offense this season with their showing in the first Florida Cup.  The Rock defeated the Titans 15-14 with a last minute goal by Blaine Manning.  The Rock have added some heavy scorers with Jason Crosbie and Luke Wiles along with Manning and Lewis Ratcliff.  The Rock have always had a strong defense and great goaltending led by Bob Watson.  Watson has been playing for the Rock since the team’s inception in 1995.  In fact, Watson has only missed 2 games total. 

I would assume that Mike Thompson would be starting in net for the Bandits, but it would not surprise me to see Kilgour use a goaltender rotation between Thompson and Montour.  Watson will be in goal for the Rock.  Game time is 7 pm and will be on NLL.com and 1400 AM.  All games will be broadcasted on the internet free of charge all season.