The Buffalo Bandits are back at KeyBank Center this Saturday for Tucker Out Lymphoma Night. This event honors Tucker Williams and raises awareness for cancer. The Bandits will take on the Las Vegas Desert Dogs at 7 p.m.
For fans, this game features the Tucker Out Lymphoma Cup, a series that also includes the Oshawa FireWolves. There will be jersey auctions and “Braver Than Brave” placard ceremonies during the game.
“It’s a significant night for our team,” said Bandits coach John Tavares. “Many people are impacted by cancer. We’re proud to support Lymphoma Night and the Williams family.”
In their last game against the Calgary Roughnecks, the Bandits clinched a 13-7 win. Despite a slow start, they rallied with eight of the last eleven goals. Smith and Byrne, usually key players, were held scoreless in the first half but finished strong, helping lead the team to victory.
Looking ahead, the Bandits want a quicker start against the Desert Dogs, who have allowed just four goals in the first quarter throughout their games. Tavares emphasized the importance of “attacking by committee,” ensuring that different players contribute to the scoring.
“The beauty of secondary scoring is that it opens up space for our top players like Dhane and Josh,” Tavares added. “When others score, it takes pressure off them.”
Buffalo’s power play has been effective, recently scoring two goals against Calgary. They’re currently 6-for-10 on power plays this season. Tavares stresses the need for volume over precision. “Sometimes it’s better just to shoot rather than look for that perfect shot,” he said.
The Desert Dogs have several former Bandits in their lineup, including Chase Fraser and Chris Cloutier. They pose a significant challenge, bringing experience and skill to the game. Cloutier has 15 points this season, while Fraser adds five goals and five assists. Leading scorer Mitch Jones, acquired from Philadelphia, further strengthens their offense.
Historically, the Bandits and Desert Dogs have had competitive matchups, and this game is no exception. With both teams eager to win, the atmosphere will be electric. Fans can catch the game on CW23 and ESPN+, or tune in on WGR550 AM.
This night serves not only as a sporting event but also as a community effort to honor and remember those affected by lymphoma.
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