LACROSSE: Can Bandits keep winning without Steinhuis?

By Tim Schmitt
Niagara Gazette

February 28, 2009 12:49 am

— Opposing defenses have had little success stopping Buffalo Bandits’ forward Mark Steinhuis this season.
Maybe an injury can slow the star.
After posting a National Lacrosse League-record with 17 points two weeks ago, then following with a tremendous performance in last week’s victory over Toronto in which he scored the final two goals of regulation, then the game-winner in an extra session, Steinhuis is questionable for tonight’s contest against Minnesota.
Bandits coach and Niagara-Wheatfield graduate Darris Kilgour wouldn’t discuss the nature of the injury, and is not required to by league policy, but he did say he’s unsure if the star will be in the lineup.
“He was hurt in the third period. He came back, but he’s very sore. Obviously, we’re going to be cautious,” Kilgour said. “We’ll see how it feels.”
Steinhuis has become the type of player opposing teams gameplan against. But Minnesota coach Duane Jacobs said that’s easier said than done since Buffalo’s leading scorer has become as keen at getting teammates involved offensively as he’s become prolific as a goal scorer.
“You’ve got to try to contain him somehow. You can’t let him go off for 17 points or goals, that’s for sure,” Jacobs said. “From my point of view, it’s just the maturity of Mark. When I was with Buffalo, he was obviously a lot younger and probably tried to do much. Now, he uses everyobody on the floor and it makes Buffalo a dangerous team.”
Although his team leads the league with a 6-1 record, Kilgour is still looking for his defensive unit to make significant strides. Kilgour has consistently praised his goaltenders this season, but has also insisted his defense must improve.
“Right now, guys aren’t trusting their system. We have to trust the guy behind us,” Kilgour said. “We want to settle everybody down and make everybody’s on the same page.”

GAME NIGHT

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