Building Legacy
As the Bandits enter Week 2, let’s reflect on this dynasty, which has reached five consecutive championship finals, including three straight titles, and on the legacy each player is building.
Undoubtedly, every player and team staff member involved in this incredible journey has begun to build their own legacy, continually excelling at their roles and improving the team as a whole, leaving a lasting mark of excellence through their passion and the impact they have on fans, family, and those waiting in the wings.
As Winston Churchill said, “We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give.”
And that comes from love and dedication to this game, which often goes unnoticed by those outside our niche community but is genuinely appreciated by the people it impacts most, especially the fans, followers, and family.
Regardless of future outcomes, the Bandits’ legacy has been established and continues to grow. It remains at the pinnacle of excellence.
Sum of Parts
The Bandits are only as good as the team that surrounds them, with their own defining skills driven by teamwork, belief, and the execution of the systems they install.
I call it “TPRD,” and I am not referring to a Myers-Briggs personality test, a medical condition, or Col. Jessup’s rant (from the movie A Few Good Men) about “honor, code, and loyalty,” but to a straightforward statement: Teamwork-Prepare-React-Defend.
Every practice, team meeting, shootaround, individual workout, video review, travel, breakfast, lunch, dinner, and anything else that represents the Bandits. Again, my thoughts, call it what you want.
Let’s go
And it’s right back at it Saturday night (7 pm) at home against the Halifax Thunderbirds. This team is talented at every position, from the goalie to the defense to the forwards.
From the GM’s and Defensive Coordinators’ desk on the Thunderbirds – Steve Dietrich
“Halifax is a very good team. We are going to need to be at our best in all facets of the game.
Their offense is stacked, and we will need to be at our best defensively to limit their chances and force them to take shots from the spots on the floor we want.
They have a world-class face-off guy in Jake Withers (88% Friday) that our loose-ball team will need to work well with Connor Farrell (84% vs. Georgia).
Warren Hill is a great goalie, and the defense is big and athletic, which likes to push in transition.”
The Thunderbirds turned in quite a performance last Friday night with an 11-2 win over the Oshawa Firewolves. Hill was fabulous, stopping 16 third-quarter shots and a 49 save performance for a .960 save percentage.
Buffalo Bandits vs Halifax Thunderbirds, April 12, 2025 at KeyBank Center.
Bandits/Thunderbirds
This matchup has always been fierce, including the Thruway battles in the past, when they were the original Knighthawks. Since moving to Halifax, the Bandits are 7-3 vs. the Thunderbirds, but 2-2 on the surface of KeyBank Center.
Josh Byrne leads in scoring with 29 goals and 37 assists in nine games played against Halifax. Dhane is 19+45=64 in eight games played.
Buffalo Bandits vs Halifax Thunderbirds, April 12, 2025 at KeyBank Center.
Familiar Teammates
And too, these two teams are very familiar with each other, with seven Halifax members (Warren Hill, Dawson Theede, Cody Jamieson, Tyson Bell, Graeme Hossack, Nonkon Thompson, Randy Staats) and four Bandit Players (Smith, Byrne, Priolo, MacKay) having played on the Mann Cup Champion Six Nations Chiefs this past summer.
Any advantage? Maybe with John Tavares as the Six Nations head coach, but not really, put a different color sweater on them in practice, and they will play with vengeance regardless.
“Halifax has a few great players from the Six Nations team I coached this summer, and we (Buffalo) do as well. I don’t believe there is any advantage for either team.
“Still, I can assure you that all these players will be competing hard and playing their best lacrosse,” said Tavares, who has also guided the Chiefs to three consecutive Mann Cup Championships.
Oh, This Schedule
This is a crazy schedule time for the Bandits, playing just one game in 28 days. Last week’s bye was OK for the players’ rest, what with coming out of training camp and their first game, but I suffered withdrawal.
Dietrich and Tavares share their thoughts on the Bye Weeks.
“I’ve said many times I’m not a fan of the constant breaks at the beginning of the year, but the best thing is most teams are in the same boat, so there is no real advantage. It is definitely better when we can get into a routine of playing every week,” said Dietrich.
“Time off is always beneficial for resting bodies and family time, but not for team chemistry. Two whole weeks off (and then another two) feels like eternity when you’re waiting for your next game. I wish we played two games every week,” Tavares said.
Broadcast Information
Saturday’s game will be carried on CW23, ESPN+, NLL+ (outside the US), and TSN+. Broadcast time is 7 pm.
Radio coverage this week will be on 1520 AM The Bet and online at Audacy.com. The half-hour pregame show will start at 6:30 pm.
Dave Buchanan will provide stories and interviews from between the benches. At the same time, Steve Bermel joins me in the Ted Darling Memorial Press Box Booth.
Randy Mearns joins me at halftime with “Coach Mearns” segments, which include selected highlights and his notes on the game.