Bandits steal overtime victory from Rush

The Buffalo Bandits stole a 16-15 overtime win in a fourth-quarter collapse as the Saskatchewan Rush, lost a perfect season.

A quick start from the Rush resulted in 4 goals on the first 4 shots, a 9-3 halftime lead and a 12-5 third-quarter score that seemed to have the Bandits taken care of.

But a goaltender change in the first quarter from starter Alex Buque to backup Zach Higgins seemed to calm the Bandits down.

Buffalo was able to reorganize on both sides of the floor and put together a 7 goal fourth quarter to send the game to overtime.

It was there that Pat Saunders took care of the rest and sent the Rush faithful home disappointed.

Rush head coach Derek Keenan was not impressed with his team’s play post game.

“We thought we’re up by six, 9-3 at halftime you think it’s going to be easy and it wasn’t clearly,” he said. “We got outshot for the first time since I don’t remember and we got outplayed and outran and they deserved to win, we didn’t.”

With just under two minutes remaining in regulation Rush Captain Chris Corbeil took a costly penalty in the momentum-swinging fourth quarter that the Bandits converted to a power-play goal that kept them within reach of tying the game.

After the game, Corbeil took full responsibility for his mistake.

“My penalty is inexcusable. That was me, good call by the refs. You’re not allowed to hit a guy in the crease, I did. That’s bad composure,” he said.

“I undid a lot of the work I did. I have to own that. It’s going to be a long week,” Corbeil said.

The Saskatchewan Rush, now 4-1, look to get back on track Jan. 27 when they travel to Calgary to take on the Roughnecks.