Finally, the Buffalo Bandits heeded coach Darris Kilgour’s warnings. After surrendering at least 15 goals in three consecutive starts — and losing two of the three — the reigning National Lacrosse League champs turned in their most thorough defensive effort in last week’s convincing 14-4 victory over Portland.

Now, Kilgour is hoping his team remembers the hard work that got the Bandits to the top of the East Division standings. A win over New York tonight at HSBC Arena could clinch a playoff berth for the team with four games remaining.

“We play some pretty good teams coming up. Rochester already beat us once this year,” said Kilgour, a Niagara-Wheatfield grad. “Our season can change really quickly if we don’t focus.”

First off is a New York team that could get a boost from the return of Casey Powell. Before missing the last few starts due to injury, Powell had a team-high 52 points in eight games. The Knights have lost two of three with him out of the lineup and his return, put alongside the dangerous Pat Maddelena, could give the Bandits defense some fits.

“Very talented guys on the offensive side,” Kilgour said of the Knights. “They pose a lot of different problems. Our goal is to make slow it down, make it our pace, make it our game. Five on five and control the tempo. If we can do that we have a good chance of winning. If we don’t, then they have a very good chance of winning.”

On offense, the formula is the same — Mark Steenhuis, John Tavares and a merry cast of others. Steenhuis opened the scoring last week and Tavares finished things off with three of the Bandits’ last seven goals. Steenhuis is still the league’s leading scorer with 79 points. Tavares is fourth with 64.



GAME NIGHT

New York (6-5) at Buffalo (8-3)

• WHEN: 7:30 p.m. today

• WHERE: HSBC Arena

• RADIO: 1520-AM

• NOTES: Win could clinch a playoff spot for the Bandits with four weeks remaining. ... John Tavares was named offensive player of the week for his seven-point night in last week’s 14-4 win over Portland. ... Goalie Ken Montour was the defensive player of the week.