Justin Ivey, Co-Editor
Lacrosse is Awesome©
The Buffalo Bandits hosted the first NLL Semi-Final game Friday night to a sold-out crowd. The visiting Vancouver Warriors needed to solve a defense that allowed only four goals in the single elimination first round against the San Diego Seals. In Game 1 of the best of three series, they were unable to rattle Matt Vinc (3GA, 35SV) and the Bandits’ defense. Buffalo didn’t even reach double digit scoring and again found themselves on the winning side for the second week in a row. Ian MacKay (4G) alone outscored the entire Vancouver Warriors’ roster who finished with only three goals on the evening. The infamous Bear Bryant quote, “Defense wins championships,” seems to be the rally cry in Buffalo as they continue the road toward their third championship in a row. Final Score: Vancouver-3, Buffalo-9.
With the marquee goalie matchup of Vinc and Christian Del Bianco (9GA, 39SV), full strength goals did not come easy in this matchup. Both teams finished the first half 100% on the man up opportunity, starting with the Warriors’ first attempt. Kevin Crowley (1G, 1A) scored the initial goal on the night after a Buffalo penalty on Zach Belter. The Bandits were held scoreless in the opening frame until MacKay scored his first of the night with 9:46 remaining. The goal ignited the Bandits, and the defense did not allow another Vancouver goal for the rest of the quarter while the offense added two more tallies. Dhane Smith (2G, 1A) and Chase Fraser (1G) both scored powerplay goals assisted by Josh Byrne (1G, 4A) before the horn bellowed. At the end of the first quarter, Buffalo led Vancouver 3-1.
The first half of the second quarter yielded no goals for either team. Finally, with 7:11 remaining, MacKay scored his second of the evening, this one on a power play. He followed that with a full-strength goal just under a minute and a half later before Tehoka Nanticoke (1G, 1A) scored only 48 seconds later. With 5:02 remaining in the first half, Buffalo now led Vancouver 6-1. The scoreless Vancouver streak finally came to an end when Dylan McIntosh (1G) buried a shot while the Warriors were man up. 23 minutes and 28 seconds, and six Buffalo goals, separated the first two goals from the visitors. The celebration was short, as Byrne scored only 39 seconds later. At the half, Buffalo led Vancouver 7-2.
The perfect power play percentages ended in the third quarter. Buffalo had two chances and Vancouver had one. Neither team was able to score with the extra man. In fact, scoring completely paused until there was only 11 seconds left. MacKay scored his fourth of the night late in the quarter, extending the Buffalo lead to six goals. At the end of the third quarter, Buffalo led Vancouver 8-2.
Vancouver had a breath of life to start the fourth quarter. Keegan Bal (1G, 2A) scored 2:26 in on a power play, 20 minutes and 54 seconds after the last Vancouver goal. They could not continue with the momentum though as Buffalo shut the door. With 7:08 left in the game, Smith scored a Buffalo power play goal and the Bandits led by six again. The defense remained tight for the rest of the game on both sides. Final Score: Vancouver-3, Buffalo-9.
Up Next:
The Vancouver Warriors will host Game 2 against the Buffalo Bandits on Sunday, May 4 at 9:00 PM EDT.