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Brandon Robinson Breaks Out for 5 Goals as the Bandits Offense Swarms Georgia 18-9 | NLL Week 7 Preview

by Eddy Tabone - 0

The Bandits became the first of two (maybe?) Buffalo team to win in Georgia in 2023, as they went into Gas South Arena and dominated the Georgia Swarm in an 18-9 score-doubling blowout. Buffalo never trailed and led for the final 56:04 after Kyle Buchanan made it 2-1. A four-goal run gave some comfort room in the first quarter, and then after Lyle Thompson scored with 9 seconds left in the first, the Bandits opened up the second with another four straight goals. Georgia was able to string together its only multi-goal run of the half to counter that run and bring it back to 9-5, but it was a 4-0 third quarter, including 3 straight goals from Brandon Robinson, that all but sealed the game.

The Bandits’ offense shared the wealth, with Robinson’s 5 goals and assist in his first big performance since taking over Chris Cloutier’s available shifts in the offense. Tehoka Nanticoke had 4 goals and 4 assists as part of the team share of a high 8 points. Kyle Buchanan’s 3 goals and 5 assists were also part of that point-scoring party, while the third member of that party was from a casual 8 assist performance from Dhane Smith (all but 1 being a primary assist). Josh Byrne added 3 goals and 4 assists, Brad McCulley had 1 goal and assist in his first game of the season, and Matt Vinc allowed 8 goals in a winning effort.

For Georgia, Lyle Thompson and Andrew Kew each had three goals while the rest of the supporting cast for the Swarm struggled to keep pace. Ryan Lanchbury (2021 second overall pick) scored his first career goal. St. Bonaventure grad, Brett Dobson, was pulled for Craig Wende but returned later in the game for 48 minutes in net, giving up 14 goals and stopping 29 shots.

These two teams will take their newfound familiarity with each other on the road this weekend as the two teams will faceoff again on Saturday, this time in Buffalo. From a preview perspective for the Bandits, the goal will be to change nothing. Buffalo (3-1) vs Georgia (0-3) will take place on Saturday (January 14) at 7:30 from KeyBank Center and be featured on ESPN+.

Week 7 Preview Around The League (All times Eastern)

Friday

Albany FireWolves (1-3) @ Halifax Thunderbirds (3-1) – 6:30 ESPN+ and TSN Game of the Week

The status of Doug Jamieson remains in the air as the FireWolves will look to play spoilers in the Thunderbirds’ first home game since Week 1, while Halifax will hope to get this one taken care of in a more convincing fashion as they look to keep pace in the East.

Saskatchewan Rush (2-1) @ Colorado Mammoth (2-1) – 9:00 ESPN+

After the Rush handled the Mammoth 18-6 in Week 1, Colorado will hope to ride the crowd at The Loud House to a revenge week. Both teams are 2-1 headed in this one with wins in their most recent games.

Saturday

Halifax Thunderbirds (3-1) @ Toronto Rock (2-2) – 7:00 ESPN+

Toronto will get the benefit of the home crowd and the Thunderbirds had to travel overnight for their second game of the weekend. It will be the first matchup this season between last year’s #2 and #3 teams in the East and the Thunderbirds return to Hamilton for the first time since last season ended in the Steel City.

Panther City (2-3) @ Philadelphia Wings (2-1) – 7:00 ESPN+

The Wings will at long last play their first home game of the season against the team they opened up last season against. While they’d love the same result in the win column, a regulation win would probably be preferred after last that matchup a year ago took until overtime to decide. It will be each team’s final East-West crossover game this season.

San Diego Seals (4-0) @ Calgary Roughnecks (2-2) – 9:00 ESPN+

There will certainly be less fanfare headed into this one as it won’t be Curtis Dickson’s first game back in Calgary since signing in San Diego, but with Dickson putting up 4G and 3A in that first game, gaining comfort as a road opponent in Calgary isn’t something the Seals will probably be too worried about. After a midweek trade, the Roughnecks will get a double dose of Currier for the first time if Josh enters the lineup.

Las Vegas Desert Dogs (0-3) @ Vancouver Warriors (0-4) – 10:00 ESPN+

Both teams will be coming into this one hoping for their first win, and I guess the good news for both of them is that next week they’ll match up again in Vegas for a chance at a split where both teams could perhaps get their first win. We shall see.

Sunday

Rochester Knighthawks (4-0) @ New York Riptide (0-3) – 3:00 ESPN+

In the game you will have on your phone while watching the Bills at 1:00, Rochester will have Connor Fields back in the lineup to face the struggling Riptide. Rochester averages a little over 14 goals per game while the Riptide is allowing nearly 17, so expect the red light to get a matinee workout on Long Island.

A look ahead to Week 8

Here’s something to start keeping on your radar, especially if you are in the Rochester area or are wondering how Banditland travels. Week 8 will be headlined by the first matchup of the season between Rochester and Buffalo in a game that could be the first of 2 going toward deciding the East Division. The game is Friday, January 20 at 7:30 pm. Promotionally, the Knighthawks are hosting a Knight of Beer, with a Beer Tasting taking place starting at 6:00 and going on up until the start of the game.

Photo Credit: Kyle Hess/Georgia Swarm
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