Dhane Smith and Josh Byrne each scored nine points as the Buffalo Bandits defeated the Colorado Mammoth 13-10 at KeyBank Center on March 14, extending their winning streak to three games.
The victory was significant for the Bandits, who improved their record to 7-6 and demonstrated depth despite missing key players. The team had contributions from 11 different players, with five different goal scorers. Tehoka Nanticoke added a hat trick, Kyle Buchanan recorded four points, and Joe Resetarits contributed two assists in his first game back with the Bandits since being acquired from Philadelphia earlier in the week.
Smith reached a career milestone by becoming only the eighth player in National Lacrosse League history to achieve 1,300 career points. He is now the second-fastest player to reach this mark, following head coach John Tavares. “Dhaner got to 1300 points, and you see it, and you’re like ‘What? That’s pretty incredible,’” Byrne said. “Sometimes you take it for granted a little bit, more so because of how close we are. He’s one of my best friends… It’s fun to be a part of, for sure.”
Head coach John Tavares praised his team’s balanced attack: “I know that [Byrne and Smith] scored four goals each, but I thought everybody looked like they were involved,” Tavares said. “Everybody was being a threat. Even Coltrane was trying to take the ball to the net and that’s what I want to see.” Rookie Coltrane Tyson made his league debut with an assist and four shots on goal.
The Bandits started strong with a quick lead and maintained control throughout most of the game. Despite Colorado narrowing the gap in the third quarter, Buffalo responded quickly with goals from Nanticoke and Byrne. “When they came back 9-8, our offense did a great job answering with two quick goals to create that spread,” Tavares said.
Resetarits described his return as emotional: “It’s surreal honestly… just to get a chance to play for something in the postseason.” Smith welcomed him back: “Even though he didn’t score tonight… he got me open… I think Rezzy (Resetarits) is going to fill that role and score those big goals.” The Bandits will next play Vancouver at home on April 4.
