Author: jeff

The Buffalo Bandits were interlocked with their arms draped over their teammates’ shoulders as they christened a third consecutive championship banner to the KeyBank Center rafters.  

Defensively in the second half, the Bandits played like a group ready to chase another trophy. 

Dhane Smith scored a team-high four goals with a game-high eight points, Josh Byrne tallied six points and the Bandits allowed just three goals in the second half en route to a season opening 15-11 win over the Georgia Swarm on Saturday at KeyBank Center.  

Buffalo’s second-half shutdown marked a shift in the game after they’d allowed eight goals in the opening half and trailed 9-8 early in the third period.  

The Bandits allowed just two goals over the final 29:15 and prevented Georgia from scoring for over 14 minutes from the 14:15 mark of the third quarter to the 14:22 mark of the fourth quarter. 

“Defensively, we’re a lot more stingy down there,” head coach John Tavares said. “Didn’t give them as many step-down shots that they had in the first half. [Shayne] Jackson was shooting the ball very well, and he did get one in the second half, but I thought we came out with a little pressure. We made a few adjustments and they seemed to work today.” 

A key piece to the Bandits’ second-half success was also predicated on playing better defensively in transition. Tavares said Buffalo allowed four transition goals in the first half and it became a focus for the final two quarters, which included eight created turnovers and 42 loose ball recoveries.  

The Bandits finished the game with 12 blocked shots, 13 created turnovers and 80 loose ball recoveries. Buffalo held Georgia to 1-for-5 on power-play opportunities including two killed penalties in the fourth quarter.  

Bandits goaltender Matt Vinc shined in the second half with 11 of his 32 saves coming in the fourth quarter. His performance proved pivotal as the Bandits dressed eight defensive players instead of their traditional nine. 

Smith – who along with captain Steve Priolo was joined…

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The closed Nanticoke/West Nanticoke Bridge project is moving out of a technical scoping phase and advancing toward the start of preliminary engineering work, according to the latest Luzerne County update on the project.

The county owns the closed Nanticoke/West Nanticoke Bridge over the Susquehanna River and closed the bridge in March. In August, PennDOT approved Modjeski and Masters Inc., the county council’s selection, as the design firm responsible for determining how to repair, reconstruct or replace the bridge.

The county went through PennDOT’s process to select a design firm, which allows the county to receive $10 million in federal project funding through the state Transportation Improvement Program.

Modjeski and Masters re-submitted a scope and fee plan after receiving comments from PennDOT, Luzerne County and the Federal Highway Administration, the county said in the latest project update on Wednesday. Representatives from the county, PennDOT and the FHA will review the revised information and provide final comments, and that process could take a few weeks.

“If there are no additional comments, the next step in this lengthy process will be to fully execute the agreement between Luzerne County and Modjeski and Masters,” the county said in a news release. “Once the agreement is signed, the first task is for preliminary engineering work to begin. Regular meetings are held between all parties to ensure that this project moves forward in a timely manner.”

On March 20, County Manager Romilda Crocamo closed the bridge after engineers conducting a scheduled routine bridge inspection determined that advanced deterioration and section loss of primary, load-carrying components were critical deficiencies.

The bridge, built in 1914, links Nanticoke City to the West Nanticoke section of Plymouth Twp. The distance between the West Nanticoke/West Nanticoke Bridge and the next-closest bridge over the river, the Route 29 bridge connecting Hanover Twp….

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Transfiguration of Our Lord Christmas fundraiser: 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturdays, Nov. 29 and Dec. 6. Church hall of Transfiguration of Our Lord Ukrainian Catholic Church, 240 Center St., Nanticoke. Food sale; church-made pierogis with butter and onions, clam chowder, haluski, whimpies, potato pancakes, etc., to eat in or take out. Also, gently used Christmas trees, lights, ornaments, toys, furniture, garland, blankets, holiday kitchen ware, books, coats, tablecloths, curtains, candles, cards and more for sale. Basket raffle tickets, $5 for 11 chances.

Hunters breakfast at Glen Lyon Legion: RSVP as early as possible; event 3 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 30. American Legion Post 539 Hall, 62 Newport St., Glen Lyon. Cost is $15 per person; includes scrambled eggs, breakfast potatoes, bacon and sausage, buttered biscuits, sausage gravy and baked goods, catered by TND Deserts and More. Call 570-592-4251 for reservations.

Newport Twp. Christmas tree lighting: 4 to 6 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 30. Wanamie Municipal Building. There will be children’s crafts, cookies, hot chocolate and caroling; food trucks available. Santa will arrive on fire truck and he will listen to the children’s Christmas wishes.

West Side Playground bi-monthly bingo: Doors open at 5 p.m.; games begin at 6 p.m. Every first and third Tuesday of the month; next bingo Dec. 2. Association’s hall, 389 W. Grand St., Nanticoke. Two magic numbers. Food, refreshments and door prizes. Non-smoking. Call 570-905-0524 for information.

American Legion bingo: Doors open at 6 p.m.; games start at 7 p.m. Second Wednesday of every month; next bingo Dec. 10. American Legion Post 350, 23 W. Broad St., Nanticoke. Kitchen open 6 to 8:30 p.m.

Food distribution: Newport Twp. Community Organization and the Weinberg Regional Food Bank conduct a monthly food distribution. An outdoor, drive-through distribution takes place from 11 a.m. to noon on the…

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