The Buffalo Bandits earned their first home win of the 2022-23 season on Friday, taking down the Halifax Thunderbirds 18-13 at KeyBank Center.
The Bandits now sit at 2-1 on the season and have won two in a row.
While happy with a victory, Bandits players expressed sympathy following a tragic week that saw Western New York ravaged by a snowstorm.
“It’s been a tough 72 hours here. It’s been extremely sad and it was heartbreaking for me to watch everything on the news,” forward Josh Byrne said. “It goes a long way when you watch this city come together. I’m super proud to call Buffalo home.”
The Bandits held a moment of silence before the game to honor the over two dozen lives lost due to the blizzard.
“Condolences to the families that lost people. It’s definitely more than a game for us. We wanted to win for Buffalo,” alternate captain Dhane Smith said. “I can’t thank the fans enough for showing up.”
We join all of WNY in mourning the lives lost during the devastating blizzard that hit our community.
Thank you to the first responders, good neighbors, local businesses, & all individuals who have assisted in the recovery. Your generosity and courage best exemplify Buffalo. 🧡
— Buffalo Bandits (@NLLBandits) December 31, 2022
After a tight start to the game and finding themselves tied 8-8 at halftime, the Bandits opened the floodgates in the second half. They never looked back, running away with the game from that point on.
Matt Vinc was stellar in net, making 65 saves on 78 shots.
On offense, Byrne led the way for Buffalo, totaling seven goals in an 11-point night. Dhane Smith (3+7), Tehoka Nanticoke (2+2), and Kyle Buchanan (1+4) were all big contributors as well.
The Thunderbirds would do their best to keep up with efforts from captain Cody Jamieson (3+2) Randy Staats (3+5) and Clarke Petterson (2+4), but it wouldn’t be enough. Warren Hill and Drew Hutchison split efforts between the pipes for Halifax with 28 and 14 saves, respectively.
The Thunderbirds took a pair of leads in the first quarter, but Byrne responded with goals of his own to make it 2-2 after 15.
The second quarter featured 12 total goals, but neither team led by more than two goals at any point.
After Halifax opened the second with two goals, Byrne completed his hat trick with 8:34 left in the quarter. He would end up with five goals in the first half.
Nanticoke and brothers Dylan and Brandon Robinson also contributed goals for Buffalo in the second. Dylan Robinson’s tally was the first of his career.
One you'll never forget.
First career goal for @DylanRobinson8_! pic.twitter.com/Q8gZWTIrgQ
— Buffalo Bandits (@NLLBandits) December 31, 2022
In the final minute of the second quarter, Halifax scored twice on goals from Staats and Jamieson to tie the game. The Thunderbirds held a 36-30 edge in shots.
The Bandits started the second half on a 5-0 run. The barrage of goals started with three from Smith, Nanticoke, and Buchanan in a span of 1:34. Ian MacKay and Byrne later added to the run, putting Buffalo up 13-8.
The Thunderbirds were forced to make a goaltending change in the middle of the Bandits’ run. Drew Hutchison took the place of Warren Hill, who had allowed 12 goals on 28 shots.
Halifax responded with two goals to make it a three-goal game heading into the fourth quarter.
Byrne scored his seventh goal 50 seconds into the fourth quarter and the Bandits would end up outscoring Halifax 5-3 in the final frame. Buffalo ended the game on a 4-1 run with Smith and Nick Weiss scoring goals with 1:56 and 1:42 remaining to seal the victory.
Banditland was fired up at the end of the game, not only because of all the goals, but because of a fight that broke out after Austin Shanks cross-checked Max Adler with 1:29 remaining.
The Buffalo Bandits will look to stretch their winning streak to three games when they take on the Georgia Swarm on January 7. Faceoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. at Gas South Arena in Duluth, Georgia.
Buffalo’s next home game is January 14 when the Bandits and Swarm wrap up their home-and-home series. Tickets are on sale now.