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.