BUFFALO, N.Y. (WKBW) — The defending NLL Champion Buffalo Bandits are one step closer to returning to the championship.
Saturday, the Bandits defeated the Georgia Swarm 10-9 in overtime in what was a back-and-forth matchup.
At the end of the first quarter, the Swarm led the Bandits 2-1, going into halftime the teams were tied 5-5.
The Bandits attempted to pull away coming out of halftime and took an 8-5 lead. The Bandits offense then went cold and Georgia took a 9-8 lead late in the fourth quarter. Shortly after the Bandits tied it at 9.
With about six seconds left in the game, the Bandits gained possession, and forward Dhane Smith fired a shot at the Swarm net and appeared to win the game until the play was reviewed. After review, it was determined that time expired before the ball crossed the goal line.
The teams then headed to overtime tied at 9.
It continued to be a battle of the defenses early in overtime but the game came to an end courtesy of a deep shot from forward Josh Byrne.
Byrne's shot found the top corner of the net and sent KeyBank center into a frenzy.
JOSH BYRNE CALLED GAME‼️#LetsGoBandits | @Joshbyrne94 pic.twitter.com/jukcXByqbK
— Buffalo Bandits (@NLLBandits) April 28, 2024
The Bandits were led by Byrne who had five goals and an assist and Smith who had six assists.
Buffalo will now face rival Toronto Rock in a best-of-three semifinal series. The third straight season the two teams have faced off in the semifinals.
Game one is scheduled for May 3 at 7:30 p.m. at the FirstOntario Centre in Hamilton, game two is scheduled for May 5 at 5:30 p.m. at KeyBank Center.
If necessary, game three would be on May 11 at 7 p.m. at the FirstOntario Centre in Hamilton.
