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NLL Buffalo Bandits

Bandits Fall to Mammoth in Game 2 of NLL Finals

June 12, 2022 - National Lacrosse League (NLL)
Buffalo Bandits News Release


The Buffalo Bandits lost their first postseason game Saturday night in Game 2 of the NLL Finals against the Colorado Mammoth, 11-8.

Colorado manufactured a second-half comeback, including five unanswered goals in 7:32 during the fourth quarter, to tie the best-of-three series 1-1. The series shifts back to Buffalo for a decisive Game 3 at KeyBank Center on Saturday, June 18 at 7:30 p.m.

Buffalo held the lead for much of the game after being held scoreless in the first quarter. Dhane Smith scored the first Buffalo goal 4:30 into the second, which ignited a five-goal run in just under six minutes.

Down 6-4 heading into the break, the Mammoth's defense came out and limited the Bandits to just two goals in the second half. Offensively, Colorado saw goal production from three other players after relying heavily on Zed Williams and Connor Robinson.

Kyle Buchanan opened the scoring in the fourth to create an 8-6 Bandit lead before Colorado stormed back and maintained the lead for the rest of regulation as Buffalo had no answer for Mammoth goaltender Dillon Ward.

Josh Byrne had a team-high four points (2+2) for Buffalo, including two goals in the second quarter. Dhane Smith and Chris Cloutier both finished with two goals and one assist. Smith became the second Bandit to eclipse 100 points in the playoffs with his first goal of the night.

Ian MacKay (1+2) and Kyle Buchanan (1+1) were the other goal scorers for Buffalo. Goaltender Matt Vinc registered his first loss since April 30, posting 33 saves and a .750 save percentage. Vinc also tied Bandits head coach John Tavares with his NLL-record 38th playoff game at the start of the game.

With their season hanging in the balance, Colorado had the daunting task of attempting to replicate the play of their leading scorer Eli McLaughlin, who was moved to the IR before faceoff. McLaughlin went off for 41 points (20+21) in his five playoff games this season. Even following the completion of Saturday's game, he still leads in points, goals, and assists.

Williams (4+3) and Robinson (3+1) continued to carry the load for Colorado through the third, as the duo was responsible for the first six Mammoth goals. Williams collected his game-high fourth goal that tied the game at eight, but rookie Brett McIntrye had both of his goals at pivotal moments when Colorado needed a spark. McIntyre was second on the team with six points (2+4).

The NLL's reigning Rookie of the Year, Tyson Gibson, also delivered a brilliant backdoor pass to Dylan Kinnear for the go-ahead 9-8 goal and followed it up by burying a shot past Vinc on the doorstep to go up two. Ward improved in net for Colorado in comparison to Game 1, as he totaled 40 saves and a .833 save percentage.

As Vinc was pulled for the extra attacker with 1:58 remaining, frustration loomed over Buffalo as Nick Weiss was given two minutes for a slashing penalty on Robinson and a five-minute major for an illegal crosscheck near the back of his head.

Smith also was sent to the box with two seconds on the clock for goalie interference on Ward, resulting in both teams jawing at one another before the final buzzer sounded.

Both teams will have a week to rest and prepare before the winner-take-all Game 3 for the NLL championship. Buffalo is looking for its first title since 2008, while Colorado hasn't won a championship since hoisting the trophy against the Bandits back in 2006.

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