The Buffalo Bandits have taken a significant step towards securing their third consecutive NLL championship by defeating the Saskatchewan Rush in a nail-biting Game 1 of the 2025 NLL Finals. The final score stood at 12-10 in favor of the Bandits, marking a strong start to the series.

Key Highlights from Game 1

• Dhane Smith led the Bandits with an impressive performance, scoring three goals and providing five assists. This achievement propelled him past his coach, John Tavares, to become the all-time leader in playoff points in NLL history.
• The game was tightly contested, with both teams exchanging leads in the first half and entering halftime tied at six.
• The third quarter saw a flurry of nine goals, including two from Saskatchewan's Zach Manns and all three of Smith's goals.
• The Bandits maintained a slim lead of 11-10 going into the final quarter, where both teams' goalies showcased their skills, preventing any goals until Kyle Buchanan scored an empty-net goal to seal the victory for Buffalo.

Upcoming Games

• Game 2: Sunday, May 18 | 8 p.m. ET, ESPN+ | SaskTel Centre, Saskatoon, SK
• Game 3: Saturday, May 24 | 4:30 p.m. ET, ESPN | KeyBank Center, Buffalo, NY

Historical Context

The Bandits are on the verge of making history by becoming the second NLL team to achieve a three-peat championship. With this victory, they have set a strong foundation for the rest of the series, aiming to cement their legacy in the league.

For more updates and live coverage, stay tuned to ESPN and follow the NLL official channels.