It’s the most wonderful time of the year

It was perfect timing last week for the Bandits to escape the cold and snow on the Niagara Frontier. They flew 2,500 miles to San Diego and were greeted with blue skies and 73-degree temperatures.

Yes, a Bandits business trip with the second game of a home-and-home with the Seals at hand, but too, take a collective breath and defrost, closing out the first half of their NLL season.

The California weather was a nice bonus to go along with a Bandits victory.

Get down to Business

There was not much time to absorb the sights and sounds of Southern California’s best climate year-round as the team headed to the arena for a practice Friday afternoon. They then prepared with a shootaround Saturday morning, followed by the game Saturday night.

Few Breaths in Between

Between the business cycle, I had a chance to absorb and witness a typical San Diego Saturday, drenched in the sun and mid-70s temperature. Boating off the shores of the Pacific Ocean, surfing the waves on Pacific Beach, and daredevil body surfers taking three-second rides in the swells of what is titled “the blood bank” of the La Jolla Cove.

My understanding of the latter from locals is that rocks form under the water, and the rip current forces body surfers to curl out of the waves before they break, pounding the open surface and taking those who stay or get caught right onto the rocks….Ah…No.

Exciting Game in the Seals House

As the sun set Saturday evening, a large and noisy crowd inside the Pechanga Area, clad in complimentary Margaritaville hats, enjoyed an exhilarating NLL game from the opening faceoff to the closing whistle, with the Bandits preserving a 13-12 win.

Indeed, it was a successful trip for the two-time defending champions. As Bandits head coach John Tavares mentioned before the start of the game, “This is redemption day.” And the club redeemed themselves in fine fashion with an all-around effort.

The postgame team gathering was well earned, and again, the timing couldn’t have been better with the second half of the season ahead.

Jake Elliott

Longtime NLL broadcaster and host of the popular lacrosse podcast “Lax Classified,” Jake Elliott, was in town to cover the game on the television broadcast.

I took advantage of our time together during the Saturday morning shootaround to record our conversation for part of the pregame show and Fast Break.

We covered several lacrosse-related topics, which included the upcoming game with the Bandits and Seals, other teams and players, as well as the what-ifs with a three-discipline All-Star Weekend, the collective bargaining between players and owners, and the NLL playoffs.

Condensed and edited for clarity, the following are remarks from the above topics.

A Lacrosse All-Star Celebration

JG: Based on the recent success of the NHL’s 4 Nations tournament, what about a unique all-star approach by the NLL to raise the profile of the lacrosse game as we grow closer to the 2028 Olympics?

JE: I believe it was Joe Spallina [decorated college coach and Team USA] who first came up with the idea of organizing a tournament featuring the USA, Canada, and Haudenosaunee: Box, Field, and Sixes. Three games, three countries, men and women, and as Teddy Jenner said, you can only play for one team.

Select the box players, as well as the Field and Sixes players. Arrange a weekend and location to host a Box, Field, and Sixes game. Involve these three nations where there is real competition; nobody wants to watch a lackluster all-star game.

But if you introduce some national pride into the mix, I think that changes everything immediately. The NLL could leverage this opportunity by enhancing its marketing and branding and showcasing its players. It’s a fantastic idea and something this league (NLL) should seriously consider.

There is still more work to do, and we are running out of time with the 2028 Olympics approaching, so it’s time for the National Lacrosse League to seize this moment and realize its potential.

Contract Talks

JG: What are your thoughts on the ongoing talks of the collective bargaining agreement between the National Lacrosse League Players Association and the NLL owners? 

JE: A lot of work and communication need to occur. NLL Commissioner Brett Frood, the board of governors, and the executives of the Players’ Association all need to find a way to understand this landscape, recognize the potential, and identify common ground.

If we face another work stoppage, I’m uncertain if we will survive, and that thought is genuinely terrifying.

A significant issue for the players is the duration of free agency and the franchise tag. I believe that’s the hill they want to die on, and it’s about how much concession the owners are willing to provide in that area.

However, everyone needs to be reasonable. If everyone is, then we’ll reach an agreement, and lacrosse will continue into 2026.

Playoffs 2025

JG: In a recent episode of your Lax Classified podcast, you mentioned goaltending is the key to claiming the 2025 NLL crown.

JE: Goaltending is everything in the playoffs. That’s why old number 48 has a chance for a three-peat. That’s why Dillon Ward is a champion. And let’s not forget that former MVP Christian Del Bianco is just sitting on the sidelines.

It starts and stops in goal. In this league, you’re only as good as your goaltender, and the history of past champions over the last decade proves that.

It all comes down to the same situation we saw a year ago: five teams were tied for eighth place, and it hinged on a series of tie-breakers determining who got in and who got out.

On the Road again

The Bandits’ road trip continues this weekend with a game against the surging 9-2 Saskatchewan Rush, who have won five games in a row. The entire roster bought into a system that has elevated every part of the team, including the toughest defense in the league.

Radio and Television

Radio coverage of Saturday night’s game in Saskatoon will be on 1520 AM and audacy.com. The pregame show will start at 7:30 pm.

CW23, ESPN+, TSN+, and NLL+ will provide television coverage. The broadcast time is set for 8 p.m.

To listen to the radio and watch the game, freeze your TV at the opening faceoff. Wait for the audio call (seven seconds), then unfreeze.