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One victory away; Bandits take advantage of 4th quarter surge in 12-8 win over Firewolves

Theo

ALBANY, New York. (WKBW) – The defending NLL champion Buffalo Bandits are one win away from back-to-back titles after a 12-8 victory over the Albany Firewolves in Game 1 of the NLL Finals.

Game Summary

For the first time since 1997, the NLL finals featured two teams from the same state and, ironically, in 97′ it was the Buffalo Bandits and Rochester Knighthawks in the title series. Fast forward 27 years later and this time the Bandits are facing a team a little further down I-90 in the Albany Firewolves.

1st period

There was so much anticipation for this series that the Bandits and Firewolves are becoming one of the fastest growing rivalries in the entire NLL. Albany’s Tye Kurtz opened the scoring with the game’s first goal just over 30 seconds after the opening faceoff.

Tehoka Nanticoke would tie it for Buffalo shortly after, then league MVP Josh Byrne would give Buffalo its first lead of the game with one of his two goals in the opening period.

2nd period

Things are stabilizing as both goalies become comfortable, but with the game limited to five each. Alex Simmons, with 26 seconds left in the 1st half, scored the go-ahead goal to give the Firewolves a 6-5 halftime lead.

3rd Period

Buffalo scored another tying goal, making the game 6-6, and then a turning point. With less than three minutes left in the quarter, Chase Fraser scored the goal that was initially called a “no goal.” But Bandits head coach John Tavares is throwing the challenge flag and the call would be overturned after an official review. Giving the Bandits their first lead of the 2nd half.

4th Period

In the 4th quarter, the experience of this Bandits team was on full display as they outscored Albany 4-2.

Both goaltenders put in an entertaining performance in front of the net, but Matt Vinc brought out his patented “you’re not going to score on me” mentality, helping seal the win for Buffalo.

With the 12-8 victory, the Bandits return home for Game 2 Saturday night at 7:30 p.m. Eastern. They only need one more win to claim back-to-back NLL titles.

Full statistics can be found here.

Other notable storylines

– Bandits forward Dhane Smith passes head coach John Tavares for first all-time in the playoffs with 117 assists.

– NLL MVPs Josh Byrne and Dhane Smith combined for 18 points in the win

– Matt Vinc and Firewolves goalie Doug Jamieson made a combined 81 saves

– For the 2nd year in a row, the Bandits can win the NLL title in Banditland

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