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3mo ago

Buffalo Bandits Take Game 1 of NLL Finals, Dhane Smith Sets Playoff Points Record

The Bandits defeated the Saskatchewan Rush 12-10 in Buffalo, moving one win closer to a third consecutive NLL championship.

Chase Fraser #95 of the Buffalo Bandits scores his second goal against the Colorado Mammoth during the first half of game three of the NLL Championship at KeyBank Center on June 3, 2023 in Buffalo, New York.
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Saskatchewan Rush teammates Jake Boudreau (left) and Jake Naso (right) battle with Buffalo Bandits defender Dylan Robinson in Game 1 of the NLL finals. The Rush lost the match 12-10.

Overview

  • Buffalo Bandits secured a 12-10 victory over the Saskatchewan Rush in Game 1 of the 2025 NLL Finals at KeyBank Center in Buffalo.
  • Dhane Smith broke the all-time NLL playoff points record, surpassing his coach John Tavares with three goals and five assists in the game.
  • Kyle Buchanan sealed the Bandits' win with an empty-net goal in the final seconds, capping off a defensive standoff in the fourth quarter.
  • The Saskatchewan Rush, in their first finals appearance since 2018, led 10-8 midway through the third quarter but were held scoreless for the final 23 minutes.
  • Game 2 is set for May 18 at SaskTel Centre in Saskatoon, where the Rush will aim to even the best-of-three series and force a decisive Game 3.