The Buffalo Bandits will host the Albany FireWolves at KeyBank Center on Saturday for Native American Heritage Night.
Faceoff is set for 7:30 p.m. on CW23 and ESPN+ while radio coverage can be found on WWKB 1520.
Buffalo takes on Albany following a 14-12 road loss to the Halifax Thunderbirds last Friday. Josh Byrne and Dhane Smith combined for 13 points, but a goalie change gave the Thunderbirds the momentum they needed to come back in the second half to win.
Now Buffalo will come home to take on one of the top teams in the league as Albany is tied for first in the NLL with Toronto with a 7-2 record. However, the Bandits now know what to expect after their season-opening, 17-13 loss to the FireWolves on Dec. 9.
“I think we probably went into Albany not giving them as much credit as they deserved,” Byrne said. “They have a great defense, a great goalie, and a young offense that really likes to buzz around. They like to cut the middle hard and set good picks.”
Defenseman Justin Martin knew what Albany could bring to the table when the two teams played in Week 2. Ahead of their second meeting of the season, Martin knows the matchup will be a challenge.
“I think last year when we played them, they were kind of a team that surprised us a bit,” Martin said. “Coming into this year with the first game, we knew they would be a much-improved team. … They were a good team and obviously, they proved that Game 1 and they’ve continued to prove that.”
A win on Saturday would be key to keeping the Bandits comfortably in a playoff spot. Buffalo currently sits in fifth place in the NLL standings with a 5-4 record in 2023-24.
Here’s everything you need to know before the game.
Native American Heritage Night
The Bandits will honor the creators of the medicine game on Saturday with Native American Heritage Night, presented by Seneca Resorts & Casinos.
Buffalo will wear specialty Native American Heritage jerseys designed by Bandits defenseman Frank Brown’s sister, Alyson Brown.
It meant a lot to me to have had the opportunity,” Alyson Brown said. “As an artistic creator and lifetime Bandits fan, it’s surreal to see a jersey being worn that I creatively directed. I am also a little sister of Bandits player, Frank Brown. So, the team is extra special to me and I wanted them to look good. Finally, being a proud Seneca is really what made this opportunity so special.
“With the display of the different jersey elements, I hope that it encourages those wanting to grow the game to dig a little deeper. To understand the people who are the roots of the game that is being honored. The significance of the different elements on the jersey hold a shared history. Likely, among all in attendance at the game. To possibly have these jerseys facilitate a deeper discussion – beyond lacrosse – is the ultimate goal.”
This Saturday, we’ll be honoring the roots of the beautiful medicine game we’re grateful to play.
Bid now on our game-worn jerseys for Native American Heritage Night: https://t.co/jOTBa5cWLq pic.twitter.com/zormmBQZpr
— Buffalo Bandits (@NLLBandits) February 20, 2024
See below for the different jersey elements and the meaning behind them.
Dust Fan
The “Dust Fan” design on the shoulder of the jersey is a representation of the great white pine tree. The significance of this belt and the white pine is that these came about during a time our people were at war. It is said a great white pine was planted and this treaty amongst the nations established peace and formed what we now know as the confederacy. It is believed that in this moment, the men buried their weapons and picked up a lacrosse stick, thus the first game of peaceful lacrosse.
Canandaigua Treaty of 1794
The design on the back is a representation of the Canandaigua Treaty of 1794. This was between the newly formed United States and Chiefs across the confederacy. This was monumental in that it established a friendship between the two nations and recognizes the sovereignty of the Six Nations to govern and set laws as individual nations. The included quote is Seneca Chief Red Jacket on the treaty.
Buffalo: Došo:wëh logo
The o: elongates the pronunciation of “oooo” while the š makes a “shh” sound and ë is nasalized. I only mention this because these details in the spelling are not to be overlooked. Without them, the words could mean something entirely different.
Clans of Haudenosaunee Confederacy
Recognition of the clans the make up the Haudenosaunee Confederacy.
The jerseys are available for auction now at bandits.com/auction. A limited number of jerseys will also be sold in the team store.
The night will feature various activations, including a beading demonstration and an opportunity to win a team-signed wooden stick. For more information on the night, click here.
Secondary scoring
Byrne currently ranks tied for second in the NLL with 62 points (23+39) in nine games this season while Smith sits in fourth with 61 points (11+50).
The Bandits have also had a boost from secondary scoring from players like Chris Cloutier and Chase Fraser.
In Buffalo’s last three games, Cloutier and Fraser have combined for 28 points.
“At the end of the day, I think we know as an offense that we gotta play better as a group. It’s really that simple,” Byrne said. “We have to play for each other, we have to celebrate each other. We have to do a better job at making sure Fraser gets his touches and make sure Clooch gets his touches and put those guys in positions to be great.”
Milestone watch
Last week, Ian MacKay tallied a season-high 14 loose-ball recoveries to reach 500 in his career.
This week, goaltender Matt Vinc has the chance to pass Anthony Cosmo for the most saves in franchise history. He needs 24 more saves to record 3,044 stops as a Bandit, which would top the list.
Scouting the FireWolves
The FireWolves started their season 6-0 while riding the hot hand of Alex Simmons. The rookie currently leads the team in goals (21) and points (48).
“We knew he was a good player coming in as a rookie, (but) didn’t have much tape. Now we know, obviously, he’s a pretty dynamic goal scorer,” Martin said. “Guy can shoot the lights out from anywhere, so that’s something that may have surprised us early on. Now we have the chance to review some tape and find ways to play a little bit differently and take away some of their tendencies.”
Simmons isn’t the only rookie scoring in bunches for Albany as fellow rookie Tye Kurtz recorded a seven-point performance against Colorado last week to earn NLL Rookie of the Week honors.
In the defensive end, the FireWolves have allowed an average of 10.6 goals per game, led by goaltender Doug Jamieson.
Jamieson has posted a 7-0 record in eight appearances this season.