The Buffalo Bandits secured two important wins over the weekend, defeating both the Rush and the Rock in games played within a 24-hour span. The victories took place at the recently renovated TD Coliseum, where a large contingent of Bandits fans traveled to support their team.
The atmosphere following the games was described as positive, with many fans expressing renewed optimism about the team’s prospects after what had been a challenging period earlier in the season. Supporters highlighted key performances, including Matt Vinc’s 46 saves and transition goals from Nick Weiss, Mitch de Snoo, and Matt Spanger. Dhane Smith’s natural hat trick and contributions from the primary forwards were also noted by fans.
Bandits head coach John Tavares commented on the significance of the wins: “It means a lot and shows that we can play with teams better in the standings. This has revitalized us in terms of our confidence.” Team captain Steve Priolo added, “This puts us back in the playoff run, and now we need to start stacking wins.”
Defenseman Matt Spanger contributed both offensively and defensively during the weekend series. He remarked on how recent games have improved team cohesion: “The last two games have been really good in terms of trust, and we’ve meshed a lot better. We are slowly becoming that team we’ve been in the past.” Spanger emphasized discipline and smart play as keys to their recent success.
General manager and defensive coordinator Steve Dietrich addressed potential roster moves ahead of the NLL trade deadline. He stated, “If we go 2-0, we’ll stay with this group. Unless something is really cheap, we won’t buy anything. I’ll be active on the phone, though.”
During halftime on Saturday night, Neil Barrett—host of “The Run Out” lacrosse podcast—shared his enthusiasm for box lacrosse and his experience engaging with its community. Barrett said, “I don’t care what kind of lacrosse is being played; I love the game… It’s such a different thing after 25 years to learn the nuances of a game that is so similar yet still different, with its own personality.” He noted that online communities have helped him learn more about box lacrosse.
Barrett also discussed what makes this Bandits team competitive: “If you are going to get 30 saves from Matt Vinc and have Dhane Smith playing like he is, they are capable of beating anybody. Obviously, back-to-back-to-back champions playing at this level are going to be tough for anyone to beat.”
The conversation turned to broader issues in lacrosse following Paul Rabil’s recent call for unity across all forms of the sport ahead of its inclusion in the 2028 Olympics. Barrett supported this view: “Paul has always had that. I appreciated that he finally came out and expressly stated it. I agree, obviously… At the end of the day, it’s a stick and a ball and putting the ball in the back of the net, and that’s the aim.”
The Bandits’ double victory weekend has given both players and supporters hope as they look ahead to upcoming matches.
