Player Spotlight


Player Spotlight highlights the finer details and elements while supplying insight to the fans on what a player's thought process may be pertaining to a certain play, game or situation. It brings the intensity, passion, and inner most thoughts of the individual player that otherwise may not be felt or heard.

In the Player Spotlight this week is Chris Panos of the Buffalo Bandits. Chris took the time to answer a few questions after Saturday's frustrating 13-12 home loss to the New York Saints.

PLPA correspondent Tom Borrelli interviewed Panos after the game.

Question What were thoughts about the game against the Saints?
Answer I thought New York came out with their backs against the wall. They needed the win. I think we were a little lackadaisical, especially in the first quarter, when they jumped out on us (to a 5-1 lead). I think we came back, but let back down again.


Question When was the crucial point of the game?
Answer I don't know if it was one particular play. They had the momentum for a bit and they're a good team. Take nothing away from them.


Question Six of the Bandits' eight games have been decided by one goal. Why has the team been involved in so many close games this season?
Answer I think we're trying to give our GM a heart attack. I don't know, it's a game where teams score in bunches. If you get a bunch of goals, then get complacent, the next thing you know you're in a one-goal game again.


Question Have the Bandits played their best lacrosse yet?
Answer No, I think fortunately for us we're at .500 (4-4) and none of us are playing up to our potential. Down the stretch, hopefully we'll turn it up a notch and start to play serious lacrosse. Teams in the past here have been able to walk through the league. But now there's a lot more parity.


Question Why has the team rallied around rookie goaltender Matt Disher?
Answer He's a great goaltender who plays with a lot of confidence. He's very vocal out there. He's a young kid (22 years old) but he plays with a lot of confidence. He played another great game tonight. (Disher finished with 49 saves).


Question Can you explain why there is so much parity in the National Lacrosse League this season?
Answer Teams are just picking up the game. Everyone is athletic and everyone can run. As a whole, everybody just keeps getting better and that's good for the league.


Question How has playing with Buffalo differed from last season with the Baltimore Thunder?
Answer I'm playing with more experienced players no, guys who have played box lacrosse almost their whole lives. Guys with Baltimore were primarily field lacrosse players who had been playing box for about four or five years.


Question Has your game improved because of playing summer box lacrosse in Canada?
Answer A tremendous amount. When I first came into the league I knew I had a lot of potential, I just didn't have the experience I needed. When I went up to Canada to play about 25 games, you add that up and it's more than 40 games a year. You can only get better.


Question If the season ended today, who would you like to face in the playoffs?
Answer We haven't played Rochester yet. I think we can play with anyone, it's just a matter of putting it together for 60 minutes. When we manage to do that, I think we can beat any team in this league.


Question How would you like to improve this team if it were your responsibility?
Answer I just think that we need to work on our passing more. I thought we rushed shots, too, me in particular. My shot wasn't on. I got one late tonight, but I should have had three or four.


Question What are your plans for this summer?
Answer I'm gonna play in Canada again, I'm not sure where yet. I think I may end up on the West coast. I'm going to check that out, then go from there.


PLPA Correspondent

Tom Borrelli, fell in love with lacrosse while writing for his school campus paper "The Record" as a student at Buffalo State College in 1977.

He has seen and covered over 1000 games at all levels which includes the Buffalo Bandits for the Buffalo News since their inception in 1991, NCAA Tournament games, Final Four Championships, upstate New York schools games, the Canadian Mann Cup Championship, the OLA Major Box Lacrosse Series, the Buffalo Gamblers of the OLA Major Series and high school events.

Tom presently writes for the Buffalo News and does extensive feature writing for Lacrosse Magazine and Inside Lacrosse. Between pro box, college and high school field and OLA box lacrosse Tom attends about 50 to 60 games a year (and Dick Vitale thinks he has it made with hoops!) The PLPA is happy to have Tom on board as a contributing writer for the Player Spotlight.