The Buffalo Bandits defeated the Colorado Mammoth, 12-11, in front of 16,905 fans at HSBC Arena on Saturday. The Mammoth outshot the Bandits, 56-38, but Mike Thompson was up to the task, making 45 saves in a closely played contest in front of a near-sellout crowd in Buffalo.
Thompson and the Bandits defense held Colorado scoreless for the first 20-plus minutes of the game, jumping out to a 4-0 lead. Buffalo did not trail the entire game.
Mark Steenhuis led Buffalo with three goals, while Kevin Dostie and Roger Vyse scored two apiece.
Brian Langtry and Jason Wulder led Colorado with three goals each, while Jed Prossner added two for the playoff-bound Mammoth.
Buffalo (8-5) meets the Rochester Knighthawks next Saturday at Blue Cross Arena. Colorado (7-5) meets the New York Titans next Saturday at Madison Square Garden.
