The Buffalo Bandits are on the verge of making history in the National Lacrosse League (NLL), as they stand just two victories away from clinching their third consecutive championship, a feat only previously achieved by the Rochester Knighthawks from 2012 to 2014. This playoff journey continues against the Saskatchewan Rush, who are determined to disrupt the Bandits’ championship aspirations.
The opening game of this best-of-three NLL Finals will take place at KeyBank Center this Friday at 7:30 p.m.
For those looking to catch the action, the game will be broadcast on CW23 for viewers in Buffalo, while out-of-market fans can tune in via TSN, ESPN+, or NLL+. Additionally, listeners can follow the game on 1520 AM.
The Bandits secured their place in the finals after a remarkable season, finishing first with a 13-5 record and an impressive 7-0 start, along with winning the Tucker Out Lymphoma Cup. Their playoff run began with a nail-biting quarterfinal against the San Diego Seals, where Buffalo emerged victorious with a score of 5-4, marking the lowest-scoring game in NLL history; Matt Vinc was pivotal, racking up 48 saves. The strong defensive performance continued into the semifinals, where Vinc helped propel the Bandits to a decisive 9-3 victory against the Vancouver Warriors, allowing the fewest goals ever in a franchise playoff game. The Bandits completed the sweep with an 11-9 win in Game 2, led by Ian MacKay’s standout performance with six points.
MacKay has been a revelation in his first season on offense, scoring in every playoff game and contributing to nine of the Bandits’ 25 playoff goals. His 12 points lead the team, with his best regular-season stretch being 12 goals over three games against top teams like Ottawa, Rochester, and Toronto.
Veterans Matt Vinc and Paul Dawson are no strangers to the pressure of competing for a championship triple crown. Vinc was pivotal in the Knighthawks’ triumphant years, while Dawson showcased his defensive skills with a league-record 53 blocked shots in the regular season and seven in the playoffs, tied for second-best in the league.
The Rush reached the finals through a powerful playoff run, where they bested the Georgia Swarm and then swept the Halifax Thunderbirds. Their playoff performance has been impressive, averaging 13 goals per game while allowing 8.33. Notably, their previous matchup with Buffalo on March 1 resulted in a close 9-7 victory for the Bandits, a critical win given that both teams finished with identical records.
The upcoming finals promise to be an exciting matchup, as the Bandits strive for glory to solidify their place in NLL history while the Rush aim to seize their moment and halt Buffalo’s momentum.