Buffalo, N.Y. (WBEN) - The "Party in the Plaza" will be rockin' Saturday night in advance of Game 2 of the NLL Finals after the Buffalo Bandits defeated the Albany FireWolves on Friday night, 12-8, at MVP Arena.
Dhane Smith recorded a point on 11 of Buffalo’s 12 goals, tallying two goals and nine assists in the win. In the process, Smith surpassed his head coach John Tavares with registering the most assists in NLL Playoffs history.
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Veteran goaltender Matt Vinc made 37 saves, including 24 stops in the second half to keep the FireWolves at bay.
Josh Byrne (3+4), Chris Cloutier (2+4), Ian MacKay (1+1), and Tehoka Nanticoke (1+1) also recorded multi-point nights, while Chase Fraser, Kyle Buchanan, and Dylan Robinson each added a goal for Buffalo in the victory.
Prior to Game 1 of the NLL Finals, Smith said the Bandits would need to stick to their game plan and force the FireWolves to adjust in order to secure a victory in Albany.
"We struggled at first," Smith said during his postgame interview with TSN’s Brianne Foley. "We were getting a little bit frustrated early, and we found our way in the second half. But it was the defense that held us accountable and kept us going."
Buffalo will return home to "Banditland" for Game 2 of the NLL Finals on Saturday, where they will look to take home the NLL Cup for a second-consecutive season and sixth time in franchise history.
Smith says the key for the Bandits will be to erase this game from their minds, and reset with a chance to sweep the series in Buffalo.
"We've got to reset," he said. "Get some fluids in us. … And just get back at it and play our game."
The Bandits will host a "Party in the Plaza" ahead of Game 2 on Saturday. The festivities in Alumni Plaza will begin at 5 p.m. ET and continue until opening faceoff at 7:30 p.m. ET.
The event will feature food, drinks, and outdoor activations in addition to live music on the stage from Cami and the Fringe beginning at 5:30 p.m. ET. Fans can also take photos alongside an Alpha-Lit "Banditland" display, as well as a 360 Fan Cam and visit the Buffalo AKG Art Truck’s sign-making station.