What a Great Night
Indeed, a fabulous moment last Saturday night with the raising of the Bandits’ seventh championship banner to the rafters of KeyBank Center.
Banditland was filled to capacity at 19,070, standing on their feet in appreciation of their team, having done what they did for three consecutive seasons (‘23-‘24-’25).
The Bandits and personnel linked arms over each other’s backs, watching the Bandit-colored cloth unravel from the neatly arranged bin, slowly rising from the guided cable toward the ceiling, later to be joined by the six others high above the dress circle.
“Great to get back at it,” said Bandits coach John Tavares, who has been in attendance for all seven championship banner ceremonies. “Brett Swenson (Bandits ballboy) did a great job getting the banner raising started.”
As it rose to the temporary perch just below the steel girders, the players watched it with their eyes, then tilted their necks as thoughts from each ran through their minds.
Byrne’s View
“It’s something that really never gets old,” said Josh Byrne, now into his eighth season, after being drafted number one overall in 2017. He has experienced the highs and lows of playing in such a competitive sport.
“I caught myself looking up and thinking there will be a day this isn’t my job, and being in front of 19-thousand fans screaming and going wild. The feeling that you get from that energy is unlike anything else in the world.
“I’m super grateful, and the fans have taken me in with open arms. Obviously, I’ve made this city my home, with my wife being from Williamsville, putting down roots here. It was great to be back out in front of Banditland.”
The Road Has Been Long
This has been a fantastic run for the Bandits, which started back in 2016 with what was called a surprise appearance in the NLL finals against the powerful Saskatchewan Rush. A couple of seasons later, the Club began its consecutive run to the finals in earnest in 2019.
Sure, there were some deflating defeats, but lessons learned paved the way for three consecutive titles, each earned through different paths. And now, truly a dynasty, these Buffalo Bandits start fresh with the 25-’26 season, taking it one game at a time.
Game one turned out ok, 15-11 over the Georgia Swarm.
“We play for the next game, and that’s the way we have played since I’ve been the coach,” said Tavares,
“Never focusing on what was at stake, rather how hard you have to work and the sacrifices you have to make to be successful, consistent, and not be satisfied. We’ve proved we are a great team, and we continue to do so. The guys keep raising the bar.”
That’s a good coaching philosophy from an all-time great who continues to challenge himself in every practice, shootaround, and game.
About Last Saturday Night
What about Saturday night’s game? It’s like coming from a rehearsal dinner the night before a wedding; when the day arrives, yes, there will be some jitters.
“Overall, I thought it was a good outing for the first time,” said Randy Mearns, former Bandit, D1 head coach for 27 years, and now member of our Bandits broadcast team.
“The ball moved faster, and there was much more initiative on the design, and then the boys put it in play. You have to see where all the guys are at with three or four guys in and out of the lineup to get a solid feel who’s going to work well with who.”
Despite getting caught in a handful of transition plays, the Bandits nipped that in the bud by narrowing the margin on Georgia, giving up just three goals in the second half.
Farrell Cat
On his game at the faceoff dot, Connor Farrell was spot on Saturday night, winning 83 percent of his draws and eclipsing his 400th career grab.
“I was talking with our guys on the restraining lines, and we had a good rhythm with a little thing going on,” said Farrell, who watches video of the refs and their cadence of the faceoffs.
Oh, Hello
As a fan favorite and a great teammate, Farrell was quick to introduce himself to the newly acquired Mitch de Snoo at 12:30 am on Saturday due to a delayed flight into Buffalo. He found his assigned roommate asleep, but de Snoo awoke and was happy to receive his introduction.
Weiss’s Pieces
Dhane Smith and Byrne combined for 14 points and 18 shots on net. The defense did a stellar job, led by Nick Wiess, who recorded three assists, blocked two shots, caused one turnover, and scooped up 10 loose balls.
He gets my game belt, and Mearns will back me up. “He played like he was 24 with 10 years of experience.”
GM’s Desk
Considering the quick turnaround to get training camp started, negotiate contracts, and get all the players in a row, Bandits GM and defensive coordinator Steve Dietrich can take a collective breath.
“It’s different, that’s for sure. It was a difficult, challenging off-season. It was fun, hectic. A month’s worth of negotiations done in three days,” said Dietrich, the three-time GM of the year, entering his 14th season at the helm.
“First time since 2019 we’ve had a lot of turnover. Those three guys we lost (Fraser, Cloutier, and Martin) were key members of the team on the run we’ve been on since 2019. Justin was our anchor on the left-hand side.
“Mitch de Snoo and Justin are a little different in play, but they are guys who can come in and could be put on the other team’s number one right-handed shot. Mitch has blossomed into a tremendous player. Loose ball and turnover machine; transition, just a big solid horse,” Dietrich said. Yes, what a night Mitch had on his return to the orange and black with a goal, assist, three soakers, 10 loosies, and two caused turnovers!
Same Places
Mike Triolo and Ryan Benesch are new faces, or I should write returning faces. On the verge of considering retirement, the franchise’s sixth overall scorer wasn’t that close.
“My job is to put the ball in the net, and that’s what I’m here to do by surrounding myself with good players and good coaches, and the rest just happens. If you can’t beat them, join them. I’m glad Steve called me, and we got a deal done.
Benesh has played for 10 teams, including the Bandits, a couple of which a second time around.
My broadcast partner, Steve Bermel, was interviewing the 20-year vet Benesch for the radio pregame show last Saturday when Steve Priolo jumped in on all the teams “Benny” had played for.
“It was for scouting reports. We sent him on leave to scout other teams and bring him back with information now,” said Priolo.
To the Box, Box, Box
When was the last time you saw a goalie sit in the penalty box for a major call? First time I’ve seen it, but Tavares mentioned goalies used to serve majors back in the earlier days of the MLL.
According to Greame Perrow, creator of NLLStats.com, former Bandits player Corey Quinsn served his own major penalty in a game against Toronto in 2003. The last five-minute major issued to a goaltender was last season, with a five-minute high-sticking call on Landon Kells of Vegas. He did not sit in the box.
Alumni Gathering
Several Bandits alumni celebrated the team’s banner raising and home opener. A couple of suites were set up to welcome some of the boys back, including recently retired Martin, in addition to Mearns, Richie Kilgore, Pat McCready, Ron “Mouse” Henry, Drew Candy, Tommy Keefer, Pat Maddalena, and Jim “Scoop” Veltman.
“Scott Loffler did a great job, as we all shot the breeze watching the banner raising and the Bandits win, it was first-class all the way. They really did a nice job setting us up,” Mearns said.
The Alumni group has been active for a few years, attending games, and Loffler and Mearns are working to create an Alumni Association, similar to the Sabres.
Week in Waiting
The Bandits are off this weekend, which might be good, healing bruises and such from training camp, three preseason games, and last Saturday’s first game of the season.
The Club will be back in action at home on Saturday, December 13th, as Halifax comes to town.
Enjoy the time watching other NLL action.