Buffalo celebrates Bandits as back-to-back NLL champions

BUFFALO, N.Y. — The Buffalo Bandits are back-to-back National Lacrosse League champions.

Crowds filled a championship rally outside the KeyBank Center on Sunday, a day after the Bandits’ big win over the Albany FireWolves.

The victory was even better the second time around.

“Last year was like a sigh of relief,” Bandits fan Mike Secchiaroli said. “This year I feel like no one can top us.”

It was a hard-fought match for both sides.

“I was on the edge of my seat most of the night,” Bandits fan Dave Lawrinowicz said.

This victory was the icing on the cake of a season strewn with pitfalls for the Bandits.

“At the beginning of the season, it was like, ‘Oh, well, last year was cool. You know, maybe we’ll have a home playoff game,” Secchiaroli said. “And the boys just took off running.”

On Sunday, the team and fans appreciated the hard work.

“This is the best place in the world,” shouted Buffalo Bandits assistant captain Nick Weiss.

But they are still hungry.

“Number seven, eight, nine, ten,” Lawrinowicz said. “We want more.”

“I think we can make it a three-peat. I think we can do it,” added Bandits fan Alicia Alvira. “We feed on them. They feed on us. So it’s just great to be a part of that.

With the energy bubbling, everyone here is excited for what’s next.

“We are a city that has so lacked champions,” Secchiaroli said. “When you have players this good, (…) it feels like a higher level of play.”