OH, WHAT A NIGHT IT WILL BE
Saturday night, the Bandits will raise their fifth championship banner to the rafters of KeyBank Center in a ceremony that will start at 7:15 p.m.
It will be an emotional moment for everyone and rekindle memories of the previous four titles.
DO YOU REMEMBER?
Steve Donner, a former Buffalo Sabres front office executive who was instrumental in founding the Bandits franchise in 1992, remembers the club’s first championship like it was yesterday.
Some things you never forget.
“The team was struggling early until Les Bartley took over as head coach, and they started to build confidence one win at a time. Making playoffs late in the season was amazing,” said Donner.
“With us having sellout crowds, the fans helped propel us into the playoffs. The team was brimming with confidence; even facing the Wings in Philly seemed like an impossible challenge. We battled from behind and took the game to overtime. I remember the absolute shock of John Tavares’ behind-the-back goal in overtime to win it!
“It became a Cinderella season for the Bandits.”
BUFFALO WHAT?!
The Bandits’ legendary PA announcer Chris Swenson has been a part of all five championships. Selecting one as the best was difficult because “they were all so special.”
But the craziness of the Bandits first season was capped off with JT’s overtime goal in the championship, and the charter members of Banditland weren’t quite sure what they had experienced.
“I remember JT winning it in OT in Philly, and back then, I’m not sure we truly knew what we had with this team,” said Swenson. “Honestly, I couldn’t predict we’d be here 30-some years later celebrating their fifth championship.”
MORE MEMORIES…
John Livsey, also a former Sabres and Bills executive, was a part of the Bandits operations and was just as surprised as anyone.
“The fans were bedlam, and the players had such extreme talent. The teamwork was terrific,” said Livsey.
“Buffalo was starting its resurgence with the Bills and Sabres’ as both were great but couldn’t climb to the mountaintop. These “Buffalo-type” guys did with real jobs!”
REPEAT?
Heading into this season, the Bandit players have repeating last year’s result top-of-mind, following the path the players before them accomplished in 1992 and 1993.
Donner said the 1993 championship was special because they won at home for the fans. His recall is impressive.
“Again, the Bandits were playing a very tough, veteran Wings team. But really, these were the two best teams in lacrosse battling back and forth,” Donner said.
“The Bandits crowd was stunned when Philly took the lead late in the fourth quarter. But Kevin Alexander won a huge faceoff late in the game and then, on a give-and-go, scored a behind-the-back goal to tie the game and send the crowd into orbit!
“The Wings took a bad penalty with about two minutes to go in the game, and Darris Kilgour scored the winning goal, which created an explosion of emotion from the players and fans.
“The [Memorial Auditorium] was so loud, the upper deck in the oranges was literally shaking! It was the loudest I had ever heard in the old Aud, and the celebration on the field and in the stands was on. It was so special.”
AND THERE IS MORE
1996 was just as special for the Bandits, claiming their third title under Patrick O’Toole’s goaltending and Troy Cordingley’s three goals.
After three failed attempts in ’97, ’04, and ‘06, the Bandits won their fourth title in 2008 with a colorful and talented roster in a 14-13 nail-biter over Portland, including five goals by NLL Finals MVP Mark Steenhuis.
“That was a special team led by Darris Kilgour. The Kilgour’s, much like the Cordingley’s, JT, and Mark Steenhuis, meant a lot to me, and getting this win after losing a few in the previous year was so special,” said Swenson.
“I remember 2008 being much like 2023 in the sense that they had a great team that went to the finals in two of the previous four years and lost them both before winning their four Championship.”
2023, THE FIFTH
I have covered seven finals with the Bandits over my tenure. The seventh one was a charm, what with all we have been through, the quality of players, and you, the amazing citizens of Banditland.
I echo Swenson’s thoughts about the 2023 Championship, too.
“2023, for me, will go down as the most special for a few reasons. The Bandits had been to the NLL Finals in three of the previous five years (not including the lost COVID seasons). I knew how much the organization wanted to win, not only for them but the city and fans,” Swenson said.
“I also look at the 2023 as the most memorable because I could share it with my family.
“My son Brett, who is a ball boy and unconditionally embraced by everyone in the organization, my daughter Sara, who’s probably one of the biggest Bandits fans, and wife who were there for the losses, got to enjoy the absolutely unbelievable feeling of being a champion!”
Usually loaded with anxiety before every game, Swenson had a good feeling going into Game three of last year’s finals from the moment he walked into the arena.
“This was the Bandits time.”
Remember?
NOW, ABOUT LAST SATURDAY NIGHT
Accenting a positive spin on the Bandits 17-13 loss to the FireWolves, the club scored some excellent goals, which included Josh Byrne’s raised right-arm shot, Chris Cloutier’s four, Tehoka Nanticoke’s finish on a give-and-go, Chase Fraser’s twister, and Ian MacKay’s tally.
Buffalo didn’t get much chance to put some flow into the start of the game, what with penalties and pugnacities. A strange first half was an understatement; including a moment during which Chase Fraser, Josh Byrne, and Dhane Smith shared together in the penalty box.
“It’s not going to be easy with every team coming for our heads. We need to stick to the game plan and gel together, and I think we will, but it might take a few shifts,” said Smith, who had a goal and five assists on the night.
I liked how the Bandits stood up for each other, even as the FireWolves went on a four-goal run in the second quarter. The club battled back in spurts, but it wasn’t enough as the youngest team in the NLL, led by rookie Alex Simmons, rode on a wave of enthusiasm and talent.
“Out of the box, you could tell which team had one game under their belt. Penalties derailed the Bandits first half. If Buffalo strung three goals together, I think they would’ve flipped the game,” said Dave Buchanan, a member of the Bandits broadcast team.”
“Josh Byrne looked explosive but didn’t connect on some chances early. He’s definitely one of the best players in the game (2+7=9). The first goal was a goal of the year candidate.”
The Bandits outscored the FireWolves 4-2 in the third quarter but couldn’t get a run going, always trying to catch up.
“Buffalo was able to slow things down & play more 5-on-5 lacrosse in the second half, but
Albany always responded to Buffalo goals, which hurt the visiting team’s momentum,” said Steve Bermel, color analyst with the Bandits broadcasts.
“MacKay (1+2) looks so good in transition, and his speed is a great asset. Priolo continues to be a loose ball magnet on the back end.”
THE SEALS
There’s no time to fret about the loss. San Diego, also 14-4 last year, comes to town Saturday night. Like the Bandits, they are loaded with offensive firepower and coming in stoked from their 12-9 victory last week over Calgary.
But first, they must shelter in place during the Bandits’ championship banner-raising ceremony.
“We’ve gone into a place that has raised the banner, and that puts a burr into your saddle. They are going to be pretty fired up,” said Steve Dietrich, Bandits GM and defensive coordinator.
For the Bandits, it will be the first time in 15 years a championship banner has been raised. And it’s going to be special.
“I got traded here in 2001, and it’s something I’ve been thinking about for 22 years. You start to get goosebumps just thinking about it, but it should be a fun night.”
BROADCAST
The game will air locally on CW23, nationally on ESPN+ and in Canada on TSN+. As for radio, you can find it on 1520 The Bet. Opening faceoff will take place at 7:30 p.m.
The radio pregame show will start at 7 p.m. and will feature interviews from both the Bandits and Seals.
Steve Bermel will join me in the booth, while Dave Buchanan will be down between the benches.