In a very rare regular season meeting, the Buffalo Bandits (11-3) and the San Diego Seals (10-3) faced each other at the Pechanga Arena in San Diego.
This was the matchup of the weekend as both teams sat in first place of their respective divisions. The Bandits were coming off of a loss against the Colorado Mammoth on March 18th (ending a six-game win streak) and San Diego had played the previous night beating Panther City. Additionally, Saturday’s game against the Seals would be the first time this season the Bandits traveled west to face an opponent this season.
Wesley Berg (25g,50a), Curtis Dickinson (35g,38a), and Dane Dobbie (33g,36a) lead the Seals’ offensive arsenal this season. Berg posted 10 points in the previous night’s win over Panther City.
The Bandits counter with Dhane Smith (27g,71a), Josh Byrne (29g,37a), and Kyle Buchanan (15g,32a). Matt Vinc in goal, is tied for the league lead in wins (10) and ranks second in saves (543).
The goalie match-up had Matt Vinc in net for Buffalo against Frank Scigliano in net for the Seals.
With everyone expecting an offensive explosion, the goalies took over and put on a clinic. Both Buffalo and San Diego were getting good looks, but Frank Scigliano and Matt Vinc were spectacular in net. The offense opened up a bit in the third with seven goals scored between the two teams, but tightened up again in the fourth, sending this game to overtime.
In overtime, San Diego turned over the ball early into the quarter. Steve Priolo grabbed it and went coast to coast, firing a shot that beat Scigliano.
To The Game:
The Bandits opened up the scoring on a power-play with Josh Byrne finishing off a Dhane Smith pass at 4:52.
This was a quarter that had a lot of physical play, as well as both goalies putting on a show.
After one quarter, Buffalo 1 San Diego 0.
Second Quarter:
San Diego finally got on the board on the power-play with Curtis Dickson converting a Dane Dobbie pass at 5:52, followed by Austin Staats firing a shot past Matt Vinc at 9:22. Jacob Dunbar scored his first NLL goal firing a laser past Matt Vinc off a Graydon Bradley feed at 10:08.
At the half, San Diego 3 Buffalo 1.
Third Quarter :
Josh Byrne opened the third quarter scoring in transition off the faceoff. A great individual effort diving across the crease for the opening goal just 0:14 seconds into the quarter.
Mac O’Keefe answered back with a low to high laser beating beat Matt Vinc at 3:24, then Dane Dobbie increased the lead with a screen shot that found the net at 4:16.
Josh Byrne scored his third of the night with a blast from the outside off a Chris Cloutier feed at 8:14, followed by Dhane Smith diving across the crease off a Brad McCulley pass at 8:59 making this a one goal affair. McCulley then scored on the power-play off a Dhane Smith feed to tie the game at 10:33.
Austin Staats gave the Seals the lead once again diving from behind the net off a Jacob Dunbar feed at 14:19.
After three quarters, San Diego 6 Buffalo 5.
Fourth Quarter:
Chris Cloutier tied the game blasting a shot from the outside off a Brad McCulley feed at 7:50.
The quarter once again was a goalie dual, with both Frank Scigliano and Matt Vinc putting on an absolute clinic inside the pipes.
After regulation, Buffalo 6 San Diego 6.
Overtime:
Early in the extra period on a San Diego turnover in the Buffalo end, Steve Priolo grabbed it and went coast to coast in transition scoring on Frank Scigliano to win the game for Buffalo just 0:52 seconds into the extra period.
Final score, Buffalo 7 San Diego 6.
The Three Stars:
- Josh Byrne
- Frank Scigliano
- Matt Vinc
Game Stats:
Shots were 55-44 in favor of San Diego.
Faceoffs were in favor the Bandits 12-5.
The loose ball battle went in favor of the Seals 72-54.
Buffalo went 2 for 4 on the power-play, while San Diego went 1 for 4.
Top Scorers:
Buffalo Bandits:
Dhane Smith 1g, 4a
Josh Byrne 3g, 1a
Brad McCulley 1g, 2a
San Diego Seals:
Dane Dobbie 1g, 2a
Austin Staats 2g,0a
Jacob Dunbar 1g, 1
Don’t forget to check us out every Sunday night at 9pm (ET).
Gary Groob has been involved with Lacrosse for the majority of his life, whether playing, coaching, or covering the sport for the media.
An avid fan, with a real drive about helping to “grow the game”, Gary became part of podcasts about the game in 2010. Through the podcasts, Mr. Groob was given an opportunity to write about lacrosse, and the rest as they say, is history.
Through many miles (flying and driving) Gary has made inroads with the National Lacrosse League, Major Series Lacrosse League, the Ontario Lacrosse Association, as well as the Arena Lacrosse League, covering the leagues, their teams, and players, working for, and in concert with all of them.
In the year 2020, Mr. Groob was made the media person for the Arena Lacrosse League, voted onto the board of directors of the Brampton Excelsiors Lacrosse Club, as well as being made administrator of the Lacrosse page “Global Lacrosse” with a membership of 9000 members in over 90 Countries. Gary was also made an administrator of Lacrosse History Past Present and Future in 2022.
Mr. Groob co-hosts a weekly Lacrosse show on Spanglish Sports World, and ZingoTV channel 250, as well as writes a weekly lacrosse column for La Portada Canada News (both in print, and online).
Gary also hosts a Lacrosse talk show and podcast for The Edge of Philly Sports Network, seen live Sunday nights at 9pm (ET), and archived on the Edge of Philly YouTube page, as well as Spotify.
Mr. Groob’s other sports interests include Hockey, Football, Boxing, Wrestling, and Baseball, competing competitively in Boxing and Wrestling for many years.
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