The Buffalo Bandits are set to face the San Diego Seals at Pechanga Arena on Saturday, March 19, with a 10 p.m. faceoff, as the team continues to adapt to injuries and integrate younger players into its lineup.
The game is important for the Bandits, who have climbed back into playoff contention in the National Lacrosse League (NLL) after winning four of their last five games. Currently in seventh place with a 7-6 record, Buffalo is only one and a half games behind third place. The team has managed this turnaround despite missing key players such as Ian MacKay, Nick Weiss, and Dylan Robinson in their recent win over the Colorado Mammoth.
Head coach John Tavares said he has confidence in his younger players stepping up during this stretch. “It’s important that we play our young players,” Tavares said. “It’s tough sitting veterans for youth, but sometimes you have to do it. This past weekend, we did have a plethora of injuries, and unfortunately, some guys couldn’t go like Weisser and Robinson. Having these young guys come in and get their feet wet, just getting some experience and exposure to the league gives them a world of confidence. Hopefully they understand that we believe in them, and that’s why we put them in, especially in crucial situations. Last game was an important game so for Coltrane and Dooley to go in the game, I’m trying to tell the guys, ‘Hey, I believe in you and I have world of confidence in you.’”
Josh Byrne has been instrumental during this period by increasing his offensive output after a scoreless performance earlier this season. Byrne matched Dhane Smith with nine points against Colorado and has tallied 34 points over his last five games. Tavares praised Byrne’s recent form: “His determination and ability to put the ball in the net and also being a facilitator… Even in games that he didn’t score, he was doing other things well like making good passes, getting back on defense.”
Defensively, Mitch de Snoo’s return from injury has coincided with improved results for Buffalo; the team is 7-2 when he plays compared to 0-4 without him this season. Tavares described de Snoo as “a beast out there,” citing his energy on ground balls and shot blocking.
Tehoka Nanticoke has also emerged as what Tavares called the Bandits’ “most consistent offensive player,” recently recording his first hat trick since December 2024.
Looking ahead at standings implications, Buffalo trails several teams closely but will play three of its final five regular-season games against lower-ranked opponents including San Diego.
The Seals enter Saturday’s contest on a three-game losing streak but remain competitive with close losses against top teams.
