2002 Buffalo Destroyers season
| 2002 Buffalo Destroyers season | |
|---|---|
| Head coach | Ray Bentley |
| Home stadium | HSBC Arena |
| Results | |
| Record | 6–8 |
| Division place | 2nd |
| Playoffs | Lost 1st round (vs. Predators) 27–32 |
The 2002 Buffalo Destroyers season was the 4th season for the franchise and the 4th in Buffalo, New York. They finished with a 6–8 record and qualified for the playoffs for the second time in franchise history. The Destroyers lost to the Orlando Predators, 32–27 in the first round.
Coaching
Ray Bentley started his third season as head coach of the Destroyers.
Preseason schedule
| Week | Date | Opponent | Home/Away | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | March 30 | Detroit Fury | Away | L 27–32[1] |
| 2 | April 11 | Grand Rapids Rampage | Home | W 51–48[2] |
Regular season schedule
| Week | Date | Opponent | Home/Away | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | April 19 | New Jersey Gladiators | Home | W 53–51[3] |
| 2 | April 28 | New York Dragons | Away | L 54–69[4] |
| 3 | May 4 | Detroit Fury | Away | L 48–50[5] |
| 4 | May 11 | Detroit Fury | Home | W 49–21[6] |
| 5 | May 18 | Toronto Phantoms | Home | W 49–46[7] |
| 6 | May 25 | Grand Rapids Rampage | Away | L 45–47[8] |
| 7 | June 1 | San Jose SaberCats | Home | L 35–63[9] |
| 8 | June 8 | New York Dragons | Home | W 40–35[10] |
| 9 | June 13 | Toronto Phantoms | Away | W 55–27[11] |
| 10 | June 23 | New Jersey Gladiators | Away | W 52–45[12] |
| 11 | June 28 | Arizona Rattlers | Home | L 42–69[13] |
| 12 | July 6 | Georgia Force | Away | L 33–54[14] |
| 13 | July 12 | Carolina Cobras | Home | L 31–52[15] |
| 14 | July 20 | Los Angeles Avengers | Away | L 41–46[16] |
Playoff schedule
| Round | Date | Opponent | Home/Away | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | July 26 | (7) Orlando Predators | Away | L 27–32[17] |
References
- ^ "Destroyers drop preseason opener". The Buffalo News. Buffalo, New York. March 31, 2002. p. 40. Retrieved January 29, 2024 – via Newspapers.com
.
- ^ McKissic, Rodney (April 12, 2002). "Destroyers win, tough decisions still to come". The Buffalo News. Buffalo, New York. p. 41. Retrieved January 29, 2024 – via Newspapers.com .
- ^ McKissic, Rodney (April 20, 2002). "Destroyers open season with win". The Buffalo News. Buffalo, New York. p. 39, 41. Retrieved January 29, 2024 – via Newspapers.com .
- ^ "Destroyers finished by poor finish". The Buffalo News. Buffalo, New York. April 29, 2002. p. 42. Retrieved January 29, 2024 – via Newspapers.com .
- ^ "Destroyers nipped by Detroit". The Buffalo News. Buffalo, New York. May 5, 2002. p. 37. Retrieved January 29, 2024 – via Newspapers.com .
- ^ Wilson, Allen (May 12, 2002). "Destroyers win without Cooper". The Buffalo News. Buffalo, New York. p. 15, 17. Retrieved January 29, 2024 – via Newspapers.com .
- ^ McKissic, Rodney (May 19, 2002). "Cooper super as Destroyers clip Phantoms". The Buffalo News. Buffalo, New York. p. 15, 23. Retrieved January 19, 2024 – via Newspapers.com .
- ^ "Destroyers fall just short vs. champs". The Buffalo News. Buffalo, New York. May 26, 2002. p. 37. Retrieved January 29, 2024 – via Newspapers.com .
- ^ McKissic, Rodney (June 2, 2002). "Destroyers take big step backward as SaberCats show teeth". The Buffalo News. Buffalo, New York. p. 33. Retrieved January 29, 2024 – via Newspapers.com .
- ^ Wilson, Allen (June 9, 2002). "Destroyers squeak past Dragons". The Buffalo News. Buffalo, New York. p. 20. Retrieved January 29, 2024 – via Newspapers.com .
- ^ McKissic, Rodney (June 14, 2002). "Destroyers use crafty moves for first win on road". The Buffalo News. Buffalo, New York. p. 14. Retrieved January 29, 2024 – via Newspapers.com .
- ^ "Destroyers capture first place". The Buffalo News. Buffalo, New York. June 24, 2002. p. 43. Retrieved January 29, 2024 – via Newspapers.com .
- ^ McKissic, Rodney (June 29, 2002). "Destroyers rattled early, stepped on late". The Buffalo News. Buffalo, New York. p. 13, 17. Retrieved January 29, 2024 – via Newspapers.com .
- ^ "Slow start dooms Destroyers". The Buffalo News. Buffalo, New York. July 7, 2002. p. 38. Retrieved January 29, 2024 – via Newspapers.com .
- ^ Wilson, Allen (July 13, 2002). "Destroyers fall under .500 with third consecutive defeat". The Buffalo News. Buffalo, New York. p. 13, 15. Retrieved January 29, 2024 – via Newspapers.com .
- ^ "Destroyers lose finale, playoffs likely". The Buffalo News. Buffalo, New York. July 21, 2002. p. 18. Retrieved January 29, 2024 – via Newspapers.com .
- ^ "Predators end Destroyers' season". The Buffalo News. Buffalo, New York. July 27, 2002. p. 13. Retrieved January 29, 2024 – via Newspapers.com .
