Denver, Colo. (WGR 550) - In a similar set of circumstances to last year's NLL Finals, the Colorado Mammoth take Game 2 of the series against the Buffalo Bandits to even the best-of-three series at 1-1.
Colorado's 16-10 win Monday afternoon sets up a do-or-die Game 3 back in Buffalo on Saturday night at KeyBank Center.
It took four minutes before the first goal was scored by either team, as Ian MacKay opened the scoring for the Bandits. Kyle Buchanan and Dhane Smith gave the Bandits a 3-1 lead in the first quarter.
The lead didn't last long, though, as the Mammoth scored two goals and tied the game at 3-3 to the end of the first quarter.
Colorado sprinted forward in the second, outscoring the Bandits, 5-2, with two of their goals coming on the power play.
The bleeding didn't stop, as the Mammoth scored three power play goals in the third quarter to take a 13-7 lead.
The Bandits cut the Mammoth lead to five in the fourth quarter, but it wasn't enough, as Colorado kept Buffalo well away from striking distance.
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Dhane Smith led all players in scoring with two goals and six assists in a losing effort. Tehoka Nanticoke also did all he could in the loss with four goals for the Bandits.
In goal, Matt Vinc made 42 saves in the loss, and was eventually pulled late in the fourth.
Ryan Lee lead the way for the Mammoth, scoring four goals and adding three assists.
Dillon Ward stood on his head in goal for Colorado, making 38 saves and shutting down the Bandits multiple times in Game 2.
Game 3 back in Buffalo is set for Saturday at 7:30 p.m. ET.
