Justin Ivey, Co-Editor
Lacrosse is Awesome©
Pat Riley, current NBA Miami Heat President, might own the registered trademark THREE-PEAT, but the Buffalo Bandits are the latest team to accomplish the feat. They join the NBA’s Los Angeles Lakers (2000-2002) and the NLL’s Rochester Knighthawks (2012-2014) as the only teams to win three championships in a row in the 2000s. The backbone of both defenses for the NLL three-peat teams? Matt Vinc. Matt Vinc (6GA, 42SV) has become the first professional sports player to three-peat with two different franchises, a feat that may never be accomplished in professional sports again. The Saskatchewan Rush started the game strong, leading the way in a back and forth first quarter, and came back from a five goal Bandit run to face only a one goal halftime deficit. This historical Bandit defense took over from there and shut out the Rush in the second half, continuing to score on way to a big Game 3 win. Final Score: Saskatchewan Rush-6, Buffalo Bandits-15.
Much like the start of the first two games, the Rush found an opening for the games first goal. 24 seconds in, Austin Shanks (2G) dunked the ball from behind the net immediately after receiving a laser pass from Zach Manns (1G, 1A). Nearly three minutes passed before Josh Byrne (4G, 5A), who has struggled to find the net in the playoffs, scored his first of the night. Byrne was called for goaltender interference on Frank Scigliano (15GA, 38SV) after the goal, and on the power play, Shanks scored his second goal of the quarter. 29 seconds later though, Dhane Smith (3G, 5A) tied the game again. Manns scored from outside, returning the lead to Saskatchewan with 8:12 left. Chris Cloutier (3G, 1A) provided the answer this time, scoring with 3:36 left on a ridiculous single effort dodge. At the end of the first quarter, Saskatchewan and Buffalo were tied 3-3.
The Bandits found a streak to start the second quarter Byrne broke the tie 1:30 into the quarter and ignited the offense. Ian MacKay (1G, 2A), the hottest player in the playoffs this year, scored next before Byrne completed his first half hat trick. 4:14 in, Kyle Buchanan (2G, 2A) made it a five-goal unanswered run and the Bandits held a commanding four goal lead. Robert Church (2G, 4A) finally ended the streak 13 seconds later and started a Rush run. Ryan Keenan (1G, 1A) struck next, and before the quarter ended Church added another goal. At the half, Buffalo led Saskatchewan 7-6.
Buffalo took over in the third quarter. The Rush could not solve the Buffalo defense at all, and the Bandits kept the pressure on. No penalties were assessed in the third quarter, and the Bandits scored six goals in route to a commanding lead. Chase Fraser (1G, 1A) opened the scoring with the highlight goal of the game, one hand behind the back. Byrne added another under a minute later. After a few minutes of scoreless lacrosse, Smith started a scoring back and forth between him and Cloutier. They alternated to score four more before the quarter ended. At the end of the third quarter, Buffalo led Saskatchewan 13-6.
Buffalo was happy to take full shot clocks in the final quarter, relying on their stifling defense to hold the seven-goal lead. The plan worked, and they scored two more goals to extend their lead. Buchanan notched his second of the game with 5:18 remaining, and Cam Wyers (1G, 1A) scored a transition goal with 3:19 remaining. Final Score: Saskatchewan-6, Buffalo-15.