BUFFALO, N.Y. – Over the past few months, the Wire has provided several articles about Buffalo’s two professional sports teams of the four major sports leagues – the Bills and the Sabres. The Buffalo Bandits, the Buffalo Beauts, and the Buffalo Bisons aren’t a part of the four major sports leagues, but all three are professional sports teams that have shined in the past few months. Here’s a look at the lacrosse team, women’s hockey team, and minor league baseball team in Buffalo that have exceed over the past few months:
Buffalo Bandits
The Bandits have been on a tear this season. Their 13-4 record sits them atop of the National Lacrosse League. Their Apr. 20 win over the New England Black Wolves saw the Bandits clinch the top seed in the Eastern Division, and the NLL, for the upcoming 2019 NLL Playoffs. The win also tied a franchise record for wins in a season. Hopefully by the time you’re reading this, they will have broken that record with a win in their Apr. 27 bout against the San Diego Seals.
Buffalo Beauts
Much like the Purple Eagles, the Beauts’ 2018-19 season concluded with an appearance in the championship game of their respective sport. After finishing the regular season 11-4-1, winning their last seven of eight, the Beauts suffered an OT loss to the Minnesota Whitecaps in the 2019 Isobel Cup. Despite losing the Isobel Cup, the Beauts were bestowed with many of the 2019 NWHL Awards. G Shannon Szabados was named Goalie of the Year, Blake Bolden was named Defender of the Year, Maddie Elia won the Most Valuable Player award, and Hayley Scamurra was named The Players’ Top Player of the Year (as voted upon by the NWHL Players Association).
Buffalo Bisons
The Bisons as a team are not off to a hot start, as they’re currently last in their division with a 4-9 record, but they currently have two of the top ten prospects in all of baseball (according to mlb.com) on the roster in 3B Vladimir Gurerro Jr. and SS Bo Bichette. Guerrero Jr. is the best player Buffalo has seen in quite some time. He even has his own page on the Bisons’ online store. Guerrero Jr. has started the season hitting .367 with three HRs and eight RBIs in just five games with the Bisons. Bichette has also started the season well hitting .250 with eight RBI in 13 games. 2B Cavan Biggio, son of Hall of Famer Craig Biggio, has started the season hitting an astounding .415 with three HRs, eight RBIs, and .500 OBP in 13 games.
Statistics and information as of April 24, 2019.
Niagara Wire 