Buffalo Bandits Drop Tough Overtime Game To Halifax Thunderbirds

It was a cold and snowy day in Buffalo on Saturday, December 13, 2025, as the 7-time NLL Champion Bandits opened the door to the KeyBank Center to host the Halifax Thunderbirds in the second game of the 2025/26 National Lacrosse League season.

The Thunderbirds, coming off a big win against the Oshawa Firewolves, were looking to continue their winning ways, while the Bandits, who raised their third consecutive NLL Cup banner to the rafters last week, are on their quest for a fourth straight championship and have the stars and fans to do it.

The first period of lacrosse saw quite a bit of action as the game started fast for the Bandits, as they scored early and quickly, with the great Dhane Smith dropping the ball into the net twice early in the quarter. The Thunderbirds didn't wait too long to tie the score as they put up two goals of their own in less than a minute. That tied score didn't last long as Ian MacKay, Ryan Benesch, and Josh Byrne all decided to put points on the scoreboard for the Bandits, bringing 1st quarter score to 5-2.

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The Bandits and Thunderbirds traded scores in the second quarter, with Josh Byrne adding his second score of the game before the half.

The second half of lacrosse saw both teams come back out looking to put in the knockout blow. The Bandits struck first with Dhane Smith grabbing a hat trick with his third goal of the game. Buffalo tried to hold on to the lead, but the Thunderbirds played some tough offense and defense towards the end of the third quarter and beginning of the fourth and took the lead 8-7.

As the fourth quarter started to wind to a close, Josh Bryne, with assists from Robinson and Smith, scored his 3rd goal of the game to send it into overtime.

With the game going into sudden death, the Thunderbirds didn't waste any time as they only needed 26 seconds to score the game-winning goal, giving the Bandits their first loss of the season.

The Bandits now look forward to Sunday, December 28th, when they travel to Calgary to face the Roughnecks inside the Scotiabank Saddledome

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