Buffalo, N.Y. (WGR Sports Radio 550) - The Bandits defeated one of their biggest rivals in their first outing of 2025, the Toronto Rock. The Rock are still winless and the Bandits remain undefeated following this 15-13 victory over Toronto in a very close finish.
Toronto got things off to a quick start, scoring two goals within the first seven minutes but the Bandits soon after shook off the rust from the week off. Josh Byrne got the scoring started and Kyle Buchanan found twine as well to bring it back to an even contest.
After Josh Dawick scored for Toronto to take take the lead once again, Tehoka Nanticoke brought it to an even three for each team. Toronto went on to score two unanswered with Dawick and Chris Boushy finding twine.
Buffalo would bring it back to within a score as the first quarter was coming to close with a goal from Ian MacKay. The deep rivalry between these two teams overcame the contest as an all out brawl ensued in the final 30 seconds of the first quarter. With a half second left in the first, MacKay tied it up at five for both teams.
A physical start to the second quarter saw no scoring in the first few minutes. The Bandits were first on the board as Dhane Smith rushed the crease and found twine to give the Bandits the lead. The lead was short-lived as Corey Small tied it back up for Toronto with a goal.
It was a back-and-forth affair as Toronto took the lead once again after another goal from Small. The score was 7-6 with just about five minutes left in the first half.
Byrne tied it up with a laser from the neutral zone as the Bandits looked for a takeover heading into half time. Toronto had other plans as Brian Cameron scored inside of two minutes left.
The third quarter got off to an extremely slow start as defense took ver for both teams. The first score came seven minutes in as MacKay tied it up at eight points. The lead flipped back to the Bandits moments later at the hands of the same culprit, MacKay.
The lead was short lived, Toronto wasn't going without a fight as Justin Martin tied up the score 9-9. The Rock took the lead back late in the quarter with Chris Boushy scoring a goal.
Emotions were at an all-time high as the fourth quarter began. Fights-galore and rapid scoring plays. Toronto put up a score with Dan Craig to extend their lead. The Bandits rapid fired two goals back-to-back from Byrne and MacKay to tie it back up. That was MacKay's fifth of the contest.
Keybank Center was rocking as the Bandits took the lead once again. On a shot between the legs Buchanan scored the Bandits' 12th goal of the game with just over 12 minutes left in the fourth quarter.
Once again the Rock bounced right back to tie the game at 12 after Boushy scored again. Mitch de Snoo gave Toronto the lead back has he scored with just over five minutes left in the contest, putting the pressure on Buffalo to tie it back up.
Just as it looked like Toronto would wind the clock down, the Bandits struck back. Chase Fraser found twine to tie it back up in the final two minutes and within the final minute, Nick Weiss made a diving shot to give the Bandits a 14-13 lead with just over 30 seconds left in the contest.
In an already action packed game nearing the finish, Smith got on the board to seal Torotno's fate, giving the Bandits a two goal lead with seven seconds on the clock.
The Bandits ran the remaining time down to remain undefeated on the season and keep Toronto's winless streak alive. The Bandits are in Banditland next Saturday night to take on the Philadelphia Wings with face-off set for 7:30p.m. EST.