Helbig, Sundin Remain Silent about Future

Toronto Hockey News (staff) -

Not unlike Niedermayer and Selanne before them, long-time Toronto Bandits stars Jason Helbig and Mats Sundin are remaining silent about their future as professional hockey players. The general impression in the Queen City is that Helbig and Sundin are holding their team, supporters and all of Toronto up for ransom. The reality is that with the salary cap situation the way it is, it's unlikely the Bandits will be able to hold down two spots for both Sundin and Helbig. As for who between the two would get a spot if they did decide to join the team, it remains unclear as neither Sundin or Helbig have been in touch with Bandits GM Fortin. In fact, no cheque has arrived from Helbig, which has lead to widespread speculation that Helbig is either entertaining offers from other clubs or is truly contemplating retirement.

THN

Bandits Light up the Green Lanterns

TORONTO - (Bandit Press)

Action in the True North Hockey League's Clancy Division resumed last night with a penalty filled tilt which saw the Bandits taking on the Green with Envy Lanterns. The unruly Bandits edged the Boys in Green by a score of 5 - 3 in a come from behind win which saw a total of nine minor penalties and two game ejections assessed to both teams. The Bandits were assessed the major load of penalties taking seven of the nine minors while the more disciplined G.L.s managed only two. Richard Mad Man Barlow was ejected from the game late in the 3rd when he levelled Geoff Soloway for having shoved Junior B. in the kidneys while on a breakaway. Soloway was also sent to an early shower for his role in the altercation.

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Barlow opened the scoring for the surging Bandits in the first period, which ended 1-1 following the equalizer by the Lanterns at the 9:25 mark. The Green Lanterns scored two quick goals in the second period to earn a 3-1 lead that would last until the seven minute mark of the second frame when Barlow scored his second goal of the night to make it 3-2 . The Bandits pulled away from the Greeners in the third when Dennis Papadatos scored two goals keeping him atop of the Bandit scoring list and third in the league with eight points. Tetley Tea Bag Man Rick Prebble scored an empty netter to put the game away at the end of the period.

ICE NOTES: As suspected, Marcel Fortin was kept off the score sheet by an unattentive official who failed to see his wonderful pass to Papadatos in the slot who slammed the pass into the net for the game winner in the third period.

Bandits Run Over by Roadrunners

TORONTO (Bandit Press) - The Toronto Bandits were in semi-action again last night losing to the lowly Roadrunners 3 - 1. The uneventful tilt of the bottom end of the Clancy Division saw the Runners take a quick 2 - 0 lead in the first period. The Roadrunners pulled away in the third scoring early at 3:34 making the score 3 - 0. The Bandits managed to make it somewhat interesting later in the third when Dennis Papadatos assisted by Tony Manocchio and Rick "Texas Hold 'em" Prebble scored the lone Bandits goal of the evening.

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The loss by the Bandits leaves them with a record of 1-3-2, good enough for last place in the Clancy Division either tied with Bones Brigade if the Boners lost last night. If the Brigadettes lost, the Bandits are in sole possession of the bottom of the division.

The Bandits' next game is October 28th, on Rinx 2 as they take on the Green Lanterns who currently sit in third place in the division.

ICE NOTES: League officials readjusted the Clancy division this week sending down the punching bag Fury to the Day Division and brought up the 4-1-0 (before last night's game) Mojo Mardi. The Tuesday Mojos currently, along with the Bandits hold down 4 of the top 5 spots in the Knucklehead standings. Unfortunately Bandits fans will have to wait until December
before they see their team take on the Mojos.

Bandits Unleash Fury on Fury

Toronto - (Bandit Press)

The Toronto Bandits improved to 1-2-2 last night with a 4 - 0 win against a Fearful Fury squad. Richie Notsorich Barlow topped all goal scorers with his second consecutive hat trick of the season, and a natural one no less. Not to be outdone, Bandits backup goaltender Eugene Attila Horvath not only posted a shutout for his efforts on the night but also countered Barlow's prowess with two-thirds of a hat-trick of assists.

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Also assisting on goals were OuiOui Dennis (say it in french, it rhymes) Papadatos, Tatoo Tony Manocchio with two, Andrew BlocCoalition Posluns with one, and Scott McKinnon with an unofficial one that evaded the referee's attention when he cleared the puck to Posluns at the blue line who then unleashed a beautiful pass to set Barlow free on a breakaway for his last goal of the night. The last tally on the night was credited to Papadatos, despite his arguments with referees against being the last man to touch the puck.

Goalie Horvath basked in the attention of adoring fans after the game and when asked about the shutout he credited defenceman Marcel BochnerCandidate Fortin for his success on the evening. "Since Fortin didn't even seem to see or know where his skates were all night, I figured I'd better find my A-game".

ICE NOTES: The Bandits managed the win despite a very short bench of only four substitute lungs (that's two skaters for those of you who can't divide).

NEXT BANDITS GAME: Bandits take on the Roadrunners on Rinx 3 at 9:00 on October 21st.

Bandits Strong in Loss to Bones - Bottle Drive Still Underway

TORONTO - (Bandit Press)

The Bandits were in action again last night and put on quite a show for their fans despite ending up on the losing end of a 9-6 score against the Bones Brigade. The first half of the game was marked by a volley of goals between the Bandits and the Bitchy Bones and finished with a tied score of 1-1 by the end of the first frame. The Bandits opened the scoring on a goal by Richie Barlow assisted by Greg Prata. The Bandits then took a short-lived two goal lead on a goal by Dennis Papadatos assisted by Rick Prebble and Marcel Fortin. The BBs scored two quick ones to tie the score.

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The volley continued into the second period but the Bones slowly started pulling away all the while remaining chirpy, bitchy, and ugly. Fortin opened the scoring for the Bandits in the 2nd frame, assisted but not documented by the refs by Papadatos. Bandits closed out the scoring in the second on a goal by Barlow assisted by Evan Dion. Bandits were outscored in the middle stanza by four goals, three by the Iron Lunged number 00 for the Bones.

The Bandits managed a resurgence in the 3rd with 2 more goals but just didn't have enough in them as they could not contain 00 who tallied another 2 of the 3 Bones goals. Goals by the Bandits by Prata, assisted by Andrew Posluns and Barlow who also scored his third of the night on a pretty goal on an even prettier assist by Dennis Papadatos who sent the puck to a streaking Barlow half the length of the ice. Barlow, who had just come onto the ice from a two minute penalty, was given a clear path to the goalie who got one sniff of Barlow's equipment and ceded most of the net to make the Bandit forward look good.

ICE NOTES: Greg Prata took an early shower in the third period when he was assessed a third minor penalty for the night and an early exit to the lovely scented and decorated Bandits locker room.

The Bandits take on Fury next week on Rinx 1 at 11:15. Fans are encouraged to buy tickets early to support their team.

BOTTLE DRIVE UPDATE

The new salary cap imposed by the TNHL is still wreaking havoc with the Bandits ledgers. There are still players who have not paid up yet and there are a few who are nearly there but still need to provide management with that extra $25.00 agreed upon at the beginning of the season. Reached for comment, Bandits GM Money Bags Fortin said he had no fear at all of reaching the cap soon and that he doesn't want this to be a distraction to his team as it claws its way to the playoffs. He noted that what was most important was that the flow of cash not hamper the team from sipping a few following the reasonably scheduled games and of course prevent his family from eating.

Bandits Lose First Game

TORONTO - (Hillcrest Wire News Service)

We played what I thought to be a competitive game despite the final outcome. Our shoots on goal surely out weighted theirs in the first two periods but................. Two players or the other team, numbers 49 and 77 seamed to kick into high gear using us as pylons in the third period.

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I’m happy that we conversed prior to game time and established that we were going to have a short bench. Richards buddy turned out to be pretty good despite leaving his defensive position a little too often. Our final line-up was two forward lines and three “D” making it a fun game to play. One less guy and we would have been too pooped leading into the second period. I hope we continue to keep the team up to date on the attendance and possibly have a few of our friends wanting to play now and again.

Greg Prata for HWNS