Bandits Dynasty Stamped in Time With Game 3 Win Over Rush

BUFFALO, N.Y. — A dynasty was stamped in time Saturday night in Banditland — and there couldn’t have been a more fitting character at the center of it all.

Buffalo rode a second-half shutout from legendary goaltender Matt Vinc to a 15-6 victory against the Saskatchewan Rush in game three of the National Lacrosse League Finals, becoming just the second team in the league’s 38-year history to win three straight championships.

Vinc, who continues to defy time at 42 years old, backstopped the only other group to accomplish the feat, the 2012-14 Rochester Knighthawks. He shut the door for the final 34 minutes of play Saturday, powering an 8-0 closing run for the host Bandits.

“It was nice to have a definitive win. There were question marks about who the better team was,” said Bandits coach John Tavares, who has been part of all seven of the team’s titles as either a player or coach. “Watching social media, it seemed like they thought they were better than us. It was nice to put our stamp on it. We’re still the best team in this league.”

Buffalo entered the second half up 7-6, unable to take full advantage of a five-goal run that put the Bandits up four in the second quarter. Saskatchewan turned down the volume with three of its own, including a pair from Robert Church, to stay within striking distance.

From there, it was all Bandits — much to the enjoyment of the 19,070 fans in attendance. Chase Fraser scored yet another juice goal, this time a one-handed behind-the-back dazzler, to kickstart a near perfect half hour of gameplay.

“[Vinc], we thought we were getting him in some spots early in the game,” Rush captain Ryan Keenan said. “But that’s why he’s the best of all time. He just kind of locked things down. Things we were seeing early just weren’t there.”

Josh Byrne saved his best performance of the postseason for last. After notching just three goals in his previous five contests, he showed an added aggressiveness right out the gate with a crease-diving goal three minutes in. He finished with four goals and five assists, tying his previous career high for points in an NLL Finals game.

Dhane Smith was close behind with eight points. Chris Cloutier, who was activated off injured reserve just hours before the opening faceoff, finished level with Kyle Buchanan with four points each.

“We were knocking on the door to have a great game like we did,” Smith said. “I told the offense we were going to put up 15 tonight.”

Ian MacKay was named the NLL Finals MVP, capping a season during which he emerged as an offensive force. He finished the playoffs with a team-leading 16 goals.

History will remember this group as undisputed winners, but Buffalo’s era of unprecedented success was forged by heartbreak. Many wondered if they had what it took to win after upset losses to Calgary and Colorado in 2019 and 2022.

“We had it handed to us the first two years,” Tavares said of Buffalo’s record five straight appearances. “I think that was definitely a learning lesson for the next three.”

Pain was turned into motivation. And now, they’re the class of the league.

Though questions remain for the offseason. Will Vinc be back yet again? What about other key veterans, like captain Steve Priolo and ultimate glue guy Kyle Buchanan? Will the team’s financial commitments to its stars force tough roster decisions?

“Nobody talked about a ‘Last Dance’ or however you want to put it,” Bandits general manager and assistant coach Steve Dietrich said. “But it’s always in the back of your mind.”

Those are worries for another time. Now, the Bandits get to soak in another confetti-filled night.

“The end goal every year is to win a championship,” MacKay said. “To do it for the third time in a row is pretty unheard of. … To cement ourselves in history like that, it’s an unbelievable feeling.”