As I enter my 5th year as a Bandits season ticket holder, it almost seems different. I obviously am much more into the sport than I was before, and with there once again being only 9 teams I feel like I know just about everyone. But with there being only 9 teams, it seems that almost everyone of them is pretty good. That changes how I analyse my team. No longer do you just need a few good players, you need great ones. Do the Bandits have great players? I'm not certain yet.
Last season was an odd one for many Bandits fans. At times we showed flashes of excellence, other times we just looked terrible. For every great start, we would blow a game big time in the 4th quarter. I think there are a few key factors that will determine how well the Bandits play this season.
1. Goaltending: This is an obvious issue for the Bandits, and the one seemingly brought up most often. Will Mike Thompson be healthy? It's looking more and more like he will be, which is a huge positive for the Bandits. Although Mikey can be hit or miss at points, when he's on his game is one of the best goalies in the sport. Once again it looks like Montour is out for the season, which is really a shame because he was at the top of his game when he got injured originally. Goodleaf got some experience this summer because of the injury to Thompson, so he should be better as well. If all goes according to plan the Bandits should be pretty solid in net.
2. Discipline: I love Billy Dee Smith ramming a guy over the benches as much as the next guy. However, at points the Bandits get a little out of hand. Almost every year they lead the league in penalty minutes. Especially with the rule change allowing three goals to be scored in the five minute majors, the Bandits need to be much more disciplined. Brandon Francis, that means no using your stick as a club.
3. Playing without Tavares: Johnny T is back for another year, but obviously he is not in the physical shape he was in his prime. He's going to miss a few games with injury. Last year, it seems the Bandits fell to mush whenever he wasn't in the lineup. They need to fix this because (I know this seems crazy) John Tavares will not play for the Bandits forever. We will need to survive without him. Secondary scoring is vital to this team. Who picks up the slack? Kelusky, Clancy, Steenhuis, Wiles, Vyse, Resataris, and Thenhuis will all be looked to for scoring. This leads me into my final point...
4. Will Steenhuis return?: Ever since Mark had the crazy year he has been invisible. My theory has always been people figured out what he does. Heck, it wasn't that hard. I've watched him go and do the same move hundreds of times. Unfortunately, it just doesn't work anymore. He basically just gives the ball up a lot. I wish he would pass a tad more. Going down low and trying to spin out and run to the goal is great, but when it doesn't work, please try to do something else.
That's all I have to say about the Bandits key factors coming into the season. What do you think the Bandits need to do to be successful? Are they Champions Cup contenders? As always comment below with any opinions. Follow me @GoodsOnSabres for all the latest NLL, NALL, and NHL news.
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