BUFFALO, NY. (WKBW) — Ian MacKay scored a game-high four goals, Matt Vinc saved 35 of 38 shots and the Buffalo Bandits defended their home turf with a 9-3 win in Game 1 of the NLL semifinals against the Vancouver Warriors.
Coming off a very close win that could've gone either way against San Diego last week, the Bandits came out and set the tone on both ends of the floor Friday.
"You never know what can happen, and you saw last week a 5-4 game, and it was anybody's game," head coach John Tavares said. "The first couple of shifts we threw the ball away on both ends of the floor, so I was a little nervous about it, but then we did settle in quite well after that."
A strong defensive effort opened the game up for Ian MacKay, who scored an incredible goal that got Banditland on its feet.
"I know Dhane (Smith) took a hit to make a play, Josh (Byrne) followed up on it and flipped it over," MacKay said. "I don't know how much time was on the shot clock, so it was a matter of getting a shot off quick."
WOW. 🤯#LetsGoBandits | @NLL pic.twitter.com/mO4zD5pdBO
— Buffalo Bandits (@NLLBandits) May 3, 2025
We heard it from the guys before this game that momentum is everything. It played a role in tonight's win, and it'll play a role Sunday when this team goes to Vancouver, one win away from a 5th consecutive trip to the NLL Finals.
"Hopefully, we come in with the same mindset we did today," Matt Vinc said. "I try and break it down to one save at a time, one shift at a time. Those types of things, and hopefully we'll be successful."
Game 2 is set for 9 p.m. Sunday in Vancouver.
