While walking into the Bandits’ practice last Friday, I wasn’t entirely on tenterhooks about the upcoming Game 3 of the NLL Finals. No, I was curious to see the team’s demeanor when they stepped out on the turf of KeyBank Center.
This was their first meeting as a team, coming off an 11-10 loss to Saskatchewan the previous Sunday night in Game 2.
Cautious Steps
When I arrived, Kyle Buchanan was already on the field, firing balls against the boards and on the net. There was a businesslike nod of my presence as I climbed the stairs en route to a middle-section seat to view the two-hour session.
One by one, the Bandits players stepped onto the field with seriousness, scooping up available balls to cradle and fling against the boards and the two nets at each end.
An increasing number of conversations, intertwined with a few chuckles–not belly laughs, but ice-breaking camaraderie—resumed as they went through their pre-practice routines.
Once all accounted for, including practice players, Bandits head coach John Tavares blew his whistle, and the team immediately ran to the faceoff dot at center, where he stood.
There were a couple of comments, including a spirited remark from Brett Swenson, the Bandits’ official ballboy, and more comments from Tavares and general manager and defensive coordinator Steve Dietrich.
1-2-3 Bandits
Once the refrain of “1-2-3 Bandits” was complete, the practice session began. Like the practices over the last five months, everything was like clockwork and very businesslike.
Drill after drill, which included loose-ball encounters with groups of three against the boards, fast-moving five-on-five encounters, and power-play runs, satisfied my curiosity.
The team was prepared and had shed the frustration of their loss to the Rush. An aura of relief surrounded the fact that they were back home in Banditland, and confidence grew as practice minutes passed. I could see and sense it. This team has a unique personality and possesses unbelievable talent.
What time is it?
Players are creatures of habit, with game-day regimes including a clock followed to the tee. But Saturday’s game, scheduled for a 4:30 pm faceoff, created a massive change for each player in preparing for a different schedule.
After Friday night’s practice, the players returned to Key Bank Center for a 7 a.m. breakfast, an 8 a.m. team shootaround, and 9 a.m. video sessions for offense, defense, and special teams. This was followed by a 10 a.m. brunch/lunch served back in the team’s dining room.
Each player then independently calculated when to return to the arena and resume their pregame routine, which includes an informal shootaround, medical care, messaging, and deep tissue attention.
The View
A quick hallway review during their pregame regimen and the tenor of the coaches’ room assured me that Bandit ball would be played to win the game.
I am honored to have this access and to witness what many don’t. It gives me solace to decide, right or wrong, on how the team will play.
To the Show
As our half-hour pregame show started on WGR Sports Radio 550, we were graced with the presence of Ed Comeau, head coach of Georgia, who was our guest, providing some key insight to those of us who sometimes can’t see the forest for the trees.
Coach Comeau calmly guided us through the steps, in layperson’s terms, regarding the strengths and weaknesses of both teams and what needed to be addressed from each side. Coach Comeau was terrific and made me more at ease as I got wrapped up in all the “what-ifs.”
Ladies and Gentlemen, The Bandits!
Wow, what a display by the Bandits. They dominated the second half and decisively scored a 15-6 victory over the Rush, claiming their third NLL Championship in a row and a league-leading seventh since the start of the franchise 32 seasons ago.
It was masterful by every player, and to shut out the Rush in the second half was terrific.
As all will attest, the celebration was beautiful, and the post-game celebrations that continued into the wee hours of the morning were just fabulous.
To All!
“We are the Bandits, the mighty, mighty Bandits!”
Thank you, Banditland, for your incredible dedication and support of this club!
And special thanks to my broadcast partners, Steve Bermel, Dave Buchanan, Tom Matte; our technical director, Chris Giacobello; our radio producer, Mike Whitney; my Fast Break editor, Ryan Gall, Bandits public relations representative;
The staff at Dome Production, the incredible television production team in Buffalo, Dan Ristine, the coordinator of lacrosse operations; Chrisanne Bellas, vice president of broadcast, and Scott Loffler, senior director of lacrosse operations and alternate governor and;
The entire staff of the Bandits, Sabres, marketing, social, and building operations
Thank you to John Tavares and Steve Dietrich, who continue to teach me the game.
Good summer to all, and see you in November.