BUFFALO, N.Y. - St. Catharines, Ont., native Mark Steenhuis
scored five goals as the Buffalo Bandits ended a 12-year
championship drought Saturday with a 14-13 win over the Portland
LumberJax in the National Lacrosse League final.
It was the Bandits' fourth championship victory, but their first
since 1996. Buffalo (13-6) had lost in its past three championship
game appearances.
The LumberJax (8-11) failed to become the first team in the
22-year-history of the league to win the championship with a losing
record. The LumberJax rallied from a 1-5 start to secure the final
playoff spot in the West Division, entering the post-season with
the worst record among the eight remaining teams. The Bandits,
conversely, had the top record in the league and had home-floor
advantage throughout the playoffs.
Steenhuis, the transition player of the year in the NLL, and
all-time league scoring leader John Tavares (two goals and two
assists) both had strong games for the Bandits before a sellout
crowd of 18,690 at HSBC Arena.
Oakville, Ont.-born Dan Dawson had a game-high nine points
(three goals and six assists) for the LumberJax, while former
Bandit Ryan Powell had two goals and five assists for Portland.
The Bandits never trailed in the game. The LumberJax cut the
deficit to 13-12 early in the fourth quarter, but Tyler Codron hit
the crossbar before Bandits goalie Mike Thompson lifted his stick
to rob Ray Guze, keeping Buffalo in front. Steenhuis broke free for
a big goal with just over five minutes left to give the Bandits a
two-goal edge. (The Canadian Press)