Attention Shoppers!
It’s game week for the Bandits, and the group couldn’t be happier getting back on the home turf of KeyBank Center Saturday night against the Albany FireWolves.
You are correct; it is another home game with the Banditland community and an emotional one in more ways than one.
Tuckman, Braver than Brave
Saturday night will be the club’s 11th Tucker Out Lymphoma Night, a celebration and awareness night for Tucker Williams (son of former Bandits player and now head coach of Las Vegas, Shawn Williams) who lost his battle with Burkitts Lymphoma at the age of eight and;
February 1 is Tucker’s birthday when he would have been 19 years old.
“I can’t believe he’s been gone for over 10 years now,” said Scott Loffler, Bandits senior director of lacrosse operations, who created the Tucker night days after the eight-year-old passed.
“It’s hard not to think about where he’d be along his path right now, probably following in Dyson’s footsteps and starting his freshman year at Duke while being on everyone’s radar as the consensus number one pick and the next generational player in the 2028 NLL Draft.”
For the first time, brother Dyson Williams, Albany’s generational number-one overall NLL Draft pick in 2023 and the designer of all the Tucker uniforms, will play in the game.
Buffalo Bandits vs New York Riptide, April 15, 2023 at KeyBank Center in Buffalo, NY. Photo by Ben Green
The former Duke star performed best as a pro last weekend, scoring three goals and three assists in the club’s 17-13 loss to Saskatchewan.
“It’s about as full circle as it could get. Dyson has designed every jersey in the Tucker jersey series, and now he gets to wear one,” Loffler said.
“Shawn played in the first one, and now Dyson gets to play in his first one in Buffalo. But what stands out to me the most is how proud I am of Dyson. Playing in the NLL was his dream, and Tucker’s for that matter, and now he gets to live it out…for both of them.”
The last ten Tucker Nights have been memorable. Both teams came together before the faceoff at center in their special uniforms, each with spirited thoughts for Tucker.
And then intensity takes over with the game: Buffalo vs. Albany.
“The Tucker game always is special. We always want the team to understand the importance of the night. It will be extra special this year with Dyson playing in the game,” said Steve Dietrich, Bandits GM and defensive coordinator.
“Then you add that the game is against Albany, a team we battled in last year’s finals, and the guys will certainly be ready.”
You’ve helped tremendously, Banditland
Funds from the Tucker Nights have directly impacted families who are experiencing similar battles as the Williams family did.
“The funds have primarily benefited Courage of Carly Fund at Roswell Park to provide psychosocial and diversionary outreach and programs for pediatric patients, their siblings, and parents/caretakers.
“The PUNT Foundation to assist with costs associated with pediatric cancer that are not covered by insurance, and Sick Kid’s Hospital in Toronto, where Tucker was a patient. All this money has gone towards the very things that Tucker lived for…Helping other people in times of need,” Loffler said.
Right Now!
If it’s a time we need Tucker’s refrain, it’s right now:
Live more. Laugh more. Love more.
Tucker Out Lymphoma Jersey on January 29, 2025 at KeyBank Center.
The Team
This has been the craziest regular season schedule I have ever experienced, and I’m sure the players think so, too. 5-0 reads great, from exceptional play, even with opponents hounding to beat the champs.
But this constant play one week, off the next, is crazy. Practice and individual commitment are key.
“Every team deals with this challenge at some point throughout the season. Ours happens to be early in the year, but we have a veteran group that has been through this before,” said Dietrich.
“The group understands the end goal, so they push each other each week to stay ready to go.”
While some teams have reached the halfway point of the regular season, the Bandits’ schedule will turn the other way even after, yes, one more bye week, 2/2-2/9.
Beginning Friday, February 14, the club will play every weekend till the end of the regular season, including two back-to-back games (February 14 on the road against Toronto, February 15 at home vs. San Diego, March 21 at home vs. Las Vegas, and March 22 at Albany).
Please Check Overhead Bins
Seven of the remaining 12 regular-season games will be played on the road, including Toronto, San Diego, Saskatchewan, Calgary, Colorado, Albany, and Georgia—a total of 18,628 miles will be covered in 10 weeks, including 13,046 miles in 24 days.
Instead of one game in 14 days, the club will play four games in 15 days at one point during the second half of the dash.
Cutting Room Floor
Compliments to the Bandit’s defense with their performance in the win over Philadelphia, especially Cam Weyers for scoring his first NLL career goal.
With Steve Priolo and Paul Dawson netting one each, five other defenders added points, making 16 players on the game night roster earn points—highlighted by Josh Byrne’s seven-goal, five-assist performance.
Byrne registered his third seven-goal performance of his career and matched his 12-point performance of December 2022. Nick Weiss is on a five-game point-scoring streak. Adding to last year’s performance, Weiss now has points in 11 of 12 games.
Buffalo Bandits vs Philadelphia Wings, January 18, 2025 at KeyBank Center.
Bandits scooped 99 loose balls against Philadelphia. Dhane Smith had eight of them. Connor Farrell has won 64 percent of his draws. He’ll face Joe Nardella Saturday night, who comes in at 67 percent. With the Bandits’ 5-0 record, they are +33 in goals for/against differential.
The all-time regular season series against the FireWolves is 3-3, with the FireWolves winning the last two regular-season games in KeyBank Center. Byrne leads in the regular-season series, scoring with 12+25=37. Smith is 8+29=37, and Chris Cloutier has netted 17 goals and nine assists.
Broadcast Information
Saturday’s game will be televised on CW23, ESPN+, TSN+, and NLL+ at 7:30 p.m.
Radio coverage will be on WGR Sports Radio 550, with the pregame show starting at 7 pm.
Steve Bermel will join me in the Ted Darling Memorial Press Box, while Dave Buchanan will be between the benches with notes and conducting interviews.