Buffalo, N.Y. (WGR Sports Radio 550) - The Buffalo Bandits took care of business on Friday against one of their biggest rivals in their first outing of the 2024-25 season.
The Bandits keep the Toronto Rock winless on the season, while Buffalo remains undefeated following a 15-13 victory in a very close finish at KeyBank Center.
Toronto got off to a quick start, scoring two goals within the first seven minutes, but the Bandits shook off the rust soon after to make it an even contest. Josh Byrne got the scoring started for Buffalo, while Kyle Buchanan found twine to tie the score at 2-2.
After Josh Dawick scored for Toronto to give Toronto the lead once again, Tehoka Nanticoke brought the score back to an even 3-3.
Toronto stayed ahead with two more unanswered goals from Dawick and Chris Boushy to go put the Rock back ahead, 5-3.
With time ticking in the first quarter, Buffalo managed to even the score once again at 5-5, thanks to back-to-back goals from transition player Ian MacKay. After scoring with 55 seconds remaining in the quarter to cut the deficit to one, MacKay evened the score moments later with an electrifying buzzer-beater shot from distance.
A physical start to the second quarter saw no scoring in the first few minutes, but the Bandits eventually found the back of the net for their first lead of the night. Dhane Smith rushed the crease and found twine to give the Bandits a 6-5 lead.
The lead was short-lived, though, as Corey Small tied it back up for Toronto with a goal.
Then it became 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 halftime. Toronto had other plans, though, as Brian Cameron scored inside of two minutes left.
The third quarter got off to an extremely slow start, as a defensive strategy took over for both teams.
The first score came seven minutes in, as MacKay tied the game up again at 8-8. The lead flipped back to the Bandits moments later, as MacKay scored his fourth goal of the contest.
The lead was short-lived again, as the Rock made it clear they weren't going down without a fight. Justin Martin tied up the score at 9-9, and then Boushy scored again for Toronto to give the Rock the advantage again.
Emotions hit a climax near the end of the third quarter, as Elijah Gash and Zack Belter engaged in a fight in the Toronto end that saw Belter getting knocked out.
Toronto extended its lead to two to start the fourth quarter, as Dan Craig netted a goal to put the Rock up 11-9.
The Bandits showed no quit in their game, though, as they went on to rip three rapid fire goals to re-take the lead. After goals from Byrne and MacKay tied the game at 11-11, a between-the-legs goal from Buchanan gave Buffalo a 12-11 lead and sent the fans at KeyBank Center into a frenzy.
However, the Rock, once again, bounced right back to tie the game at 12-12 with another goal from Boushy. Then former Bandits defenseman Mitch de Snoo gave Toronto the lead again with just over five minutes left in the contest.
Just as it looked like Toronto would wind the clock down and come away victorious, the Bandits struck back. Chase Fraser found twine with 1:13 remaining in regulation to tie the game at 13-13.
Then within the final minute, Nick Weiss made a dive to the Toronto net and scored to give the Bandits a 14-13 lead with 43 seconds to go.
Then with the game nearing its end, Smith puck the Rock on ice with a goal to give Buffalo its 15-13 lead with 8 seconds left in regulation.
Up next for the Bandits is a matchup with the Philadelphia Wings back in "Banditland" next Saturday night at KeyBank Center. Faceoff is slated for 7:30 p.m. EST.