BACK-TO-BACK: Buffalo Bandits repeat as NLL champions as they win sixth title

BUFFALO, N.Y. (WKBW) — For the sixth time in franchise history, the Buffalo Bandits are NLL champions!

On Saturday in front of a sold-out KeyBank Center, the Bandits won their second straight NLL title, topping the Albany Firewolves 15-13.

League MVP Josh Byrne led the way for the Bandits with nine points, while Chase Fraser scored the most goals, with a whopping five. Dhane Smith, who was stellar in Game 1 of the NLL finals on Friday night had six points.

The Bandits used a huge third quarter to pull away from Albany, who had crawled back from a five-goal deficit in the first half to make it a one-goal game early in the third quarter. But Buffalo responded with the next five goals of the game.

This is the second championship for John Tavares as the Bandits head coach. As a player, he won four titles with the Bandits, giving him a hand in every title Buffalo has won.

Entering the playoffs, the Bandits were the No. 4 seed after an up-and-down regular season. In the quarterfinals, they beat the Georgia Swarm 10-9 in overtime to stay alive. In the semifinals, the Bandits swept the Toronto Rock, the No. 1 seed with back-to-back wins. They completed their perfect postseason on Saturday night beating Albany.

This is the second title for franchise cornerstones Byrne and Smith.

Next up for the Bandits, a celebration in Alumni Plaza outside of KeyBank Center.

Bove's Take:

It's truly remarkable how impressive this Bandits team is and how electric Banditland was on Saturday night. Tickets to the game were a hot commodity and the Bandits delivered with a heck of a performance.

I always tell people who have never been, the atmosphere at a Bandits game is unlike anything else and you can triple that with a championship on the line.

With Smith, Byrne, and other key players returning next season, this could be the start of a dynasty for professional lacrosse in Buffalo. Heck, they might already be there with back-to-back titles, but it's hard to believe this team loaded with talent will slow down anytime soon.

You can watch players speak on the field after thew win in the video player above as well as below.