With their 11-10 win over the Toronto Rock on Saturday, the Buffalo Bandits locked up the No. 1 seed in the East.
Buffalo will host a playoff game on May 6 at 7 p.m. Tickets go on sale Monday.
Mark your calendars, you don't want to miss out on playoff lacrosse in Banditland! 🗓#LetsGoBandits pic.twitter.com/Ztqr1dhrrk
— Buffalo Bandits (@NLLBandits) April 21, 2023
Saturday’s game at KeyBank Center came down to the wire. Bandits forward Tehoka Nanticoke snapped a 9-9 tie with 5:53 remaining and then Josh Byrne put Buffalo ahead by two just 41 seconds later. However, the Rock cut the lead to one when Corey Small scored with 3:48 remaining.
Buffalo was able to shut the door to secure the team’s 13th win of the season. Matt Vinc made 44 saves to pick up his 48th win as a member of the Bandits, setting a new franchise record.
Dhane Smith, who was voted by his teammates as the Bandits’ MVP posted seven points (5+7), including his 600th career assist. Byrne finished with six points (3+3) while Kyle Buchanan also had a big game with a goal and three assists.
Mr. Everything. Josh Byrne had 3G, 3A and a whopping 15 shots on goal to help the @NLLBandits clinch the #1 seed in the East
Roll the Byrne highlight reel 🎥 pic.twitter.com/4q2HqJKGQQ
— NLL (@NLL) April 23, 2023
The Bandits had to climb out of an early hole as Toronto led 2-0 after the first quarter and worked their way to a 4-2 lead at halftime.
Buffalo scored five times in the third quarter with Chase Fraser scoring two of his three goals in the game – including one you have to see to believe – to close out a 4-0 Bandits run in the middle of the frame. That run put the Bandits ahead for the first lead of the night at 6-5.
We can't stop watching @The_Fraze95's INSANE Goal of the Year 🔥🔥🔥@NLLBandits pic.twitter.com/ftdy7EjX4i
— NLL (@NLL) April 23, 2023
However, the Rock closed out the quarter on a 3-1 run of their own to maintain a one-goal lead.
The Bandits made the most of their opportunities in the fourth. Fraser tied things up with 10:45 left, but Toronto quickly regained the lead, setting the stage for a three-goal run in 1:36 to put Buffalo up for good.
Ian MacKay tallied with 6:48 left and then Nanticoke regained the lead. Byrne made it 11-9 with 5:12 to go.
Put 'em up. ☝️#LetsGoBandits pic.twitter.com/k1ONz07Ytp
— Buffalo Bandits (@NLLBandits) April 23, 2023
Toronto finishes their regular season at 13-5. Buffalo will hit the road next week to play Albany on April 29. The Bandits will have a chance to lock up home field advantage throughout the playoffs.