Buffalo Bandits Face Toronto Rock in NLL Home Game

The Buffalo Bandits will host the Toronto Rock at KeyBank Center on Friday at 7:30 p.m. in their second home game of the National Lacrosse League (NLL) season. The game will be broadcast on CW23 and ESPN+ for U.S. viewers, while Canadian fans can watch on TSN or the new NLL+ streaming platform. Local radio coverage will be available on WGR550.

The Bandits are coming off a dominant 13-6 victory over the Rochester Knighthawks on Dec. 28, where they raised their sixth NLL Championship banner. Goaltender Matt Vinc set a franchise record with 62 saves, while Tehoka Nanticoke led the offense with a hat trick. Dhane Smith and Josh Byrne also contributed significantly, combining for 19 points in the game.

Buffalo remains the only undefeated team in the NLL this season, boasting league-leading stats in goals per game (15.33), goals allowed per game (6.67), and goal differential (8.67). Their offensive firepower and defensive prowess have resulted in decisive victories, with each win coming by a margin of seven goals or more.

Smith and Byrne have been instrumental in the Bandits’ success, ranking sixth and seventh in the NLL for assists with 21 and 20, respectively. Their playmaking abilities have been a key factor in Buffalo’s dominance, and they are on pace to surpass the league’s assist leader, Randy Staats of Halifax, who has 25 assists.

Meanwhile, the Toronto Rock enter the game winless, struggling with injuries to key players like TD Ierlan and Tom Schreiber. Despite a closer performance in their last two games, including a 12-11 loss to Ottawa, the Rock have been unable to secure a victory this season. Josh Dawick leads the team with 14 points, but the absence of Mark Matthews, who was placed on injured reserve, has further hampered their offense.

Goaltender Nick Rose, typically a reliable presence for the Rock, has struggled this season, ranking tenth among starting NLL goalies in goals-against average and save percentage. The Rock will need a strong performance from Rose and their defense to challenge the high-powered Bandits.

Friday’s matchup marks the first meeting between the two teams this season, with the Bandits looking to extend their winning streak and the Rock aiming to secure their first victory. The game promises to be a test of Buffalo’s dominance and Toronto’s resilience as they battle for crucial early-season points.