Buffalo Bandits Face Vancouver Warriors in NLL Semifinals Starting Friday

BUFFALO, N.Y. — The Buffalo Bandits are set to take on the Vancouver Warriors in Game 1 of the NLL Semifinals at 7:30 p.m. on Friday, May 2, at KeyBank Center. This best-of-three series features the two-time defending champion Bandits against the red-hot Warriors, who have won their last seven games.

Buffalo is looking for a fifth consecutive trip to the NLL Finals after a narrowly fought 5-4 win against San Diego in the quarterfinals, which marked the lowest-scoring game in league history. Vancouver advanced to the semifinals by defeating the Rochester Knighthawks 15-10, showcasing a potent offense and a strong defensive performance.

“We have to protect home-floor advantage and take advantage of having home floor in Game 1 and potentially the third game,” said Bandits head coach John Tavares. “We understand they’re on a huge roll, and it’s going to be a tough battle, but we’re ready.”

The Bandits will aim to continue their strong defensive play, led by goaltender Matt Vinc, who made 48 saves against the Seals and currently has a playoff-leading save percentage of 92. Tavares emphasized the importance of forcing the Warriors into tough shots and minimizing their second opportunities.

Offensively, the Bandits are looking to rediscover their scoring rhythm against Vancouver’s goalie Christian Del Bianco. Despite a season-low goal output last week, Ian MacKay expressed confidence, stating, “We don’t need to reinvent the wheel. We’ve gotten a lot of good looks, and it’s just about capitalizing on them.”

Vancouver’s offense has been firing on all cylinders, led by Keegan Bal, who recorded 11 points in their quarterfinals victory. Bandits’ defenseman Steve Priolo pointed out the need to limit Bal’s shooting opportunities, saying, “He shoots the ball from everywhere, and he’s pretty good at it.”

The series will continue with Game 2 in Vancouver on Sunday, May 4, at 9 p.m. If necessary, a third game will be held at KeyBank Center on Saturday, May 10, at 7 p.m. Fans can watch the games through various streaming options including ESPN+ and NLL+.