Bandits Cap Off A Perfect Weekend With A Dominant Win Over Rock

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Gary Groob

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, Ontario Series Lacrosse, the Ontario Lacrosse Association, CUFLA, 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 2019, 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 14,000+ members in over 90 Countries. Gary was also made an administrator of Lacrosse History Past Present and Future in 2022 with a membership of 19,000+. Gary also has been the media person for Ontario Series Lacrosse (Senior B) since 2023. Mr. Groob also covers the Green Gaels for their excursions to Prague at the Ales Hrebesky tournament since 2022. In 2024, when Major Series Lacrosse was in need of a media person, Gary stepped in as their interim media person. His tasks were running their social media, as well as their website until a full time person was found to fill the role. In 2025 Gary was voted onto the Board of Directors for Ontario Series Lacrosse. Mr. Groob hosts a weekly lacrosse interview show formerly on Spanglish Sports World, and ZingoTV channel 250, now on StreamPunkEnt.com, Youtube, as well as Spotify. Groob also hosts a lacrosse talk show and podcast for All Lacrosse All The Time seen live Sunday nights at 8pm (ET), and archived on the All Lacrosse All The Time YouTube page, as well as Spotify. Gary also wrote a weekly lacrosse editorial column for La Portada Canada News both in print and online for three years from 2021-2024. In 2025, Mr. Groob joined the ownership ranks, becoming a minority owner of StreamPunk Entertainment, ensuring Lacrosse will always have voice in media. Mr. Groob's other sports interests include Hockey, Football, Boxing, Wrestling, and Baseball, competing competitively in Boxing and Wrestling for many years.

(Photos courtesy of C. Bender NLL)

The Buffalo Bandits (6-6) traveled down the QEW to face the Toronto Rock (6-5) in NLL action Saturday night at the Tribute Community Centre.

The Bandits were coming off a big overtime win over the Saskatchewan Rush the previous night on a goal from Josh Byrne.  While Buffalo has sputtered a bit this season, there still are many explosive parts to their offense.  Recently, Ian Mackay, Dhane Smith, and Josh Byrne have been back on track, looking dangerous as ever.

For Toronto, they are eager to prove that this is a new era of Rock team, with CJ Kirst   Owen Hiltz, Sam English, Isiah Moran-Weekes, as well as Challen Rogers, Mark Matthews, and Josh Dawick all having good seasons.  Troy Holowchuk has settled nicely into his role as starting goalie as well.

The goalie match-up had Matt Vinc in net for the Bandits facing Troy Holowchuk in net for the Rock.

The Buffalo Bandits kept the momentum from an overtime win over the Saskatchewan the previous night. Toronto tried to push the pace early, but the Bandits were up to the challenge. The teams went back and forth trading goals most of the first half, until a natural hat-trick from Dhane Smith would shift the impetus of the game. Although the Rock converted a penalty shot late in the half, the Bandits were up 6-5 at the half.

Toronto tied the game early in the third, but Buffalo’s adjustments had the Rock chasing them most of the half. The Bandits pushed transition in the fourth with Matt Spanger, and Nick Weiss with a pair putting the game out of reach. Matt Vinc was outstanding all night, making 46 saves in the game. Buffalo came away with a decisive 14-9 victory, getting back in the playoff picture.

To The Game:

The Rock opened the scoring on the power-play when Owen Hiltz hit the far corner from in close off a Mark Matthews pass at 5:31, but Tehoka Nanticoke tied the game while falling down off a Dhane Smith feed at 7:42.

The Bandits took the lead in transition when Mitch de Snoo finished a Nick Weiss pass at 10:23, but a howitzer from Mark Matthews off a Sam English pass at 12:25 making the game even again.

Matthews then added a quick stick off a Josh Dawick pass at 13:39 for the lead, but Ryan Benesch converted a Dhane Smith pass at 13:57 to tie the game again.

After one quarter, Toronto 3 Buffalo 3.

Second Quarter:

After almost half a quarter of end to end action Chris Boushy scored from the top of the crease off a Challen Rogers pass at 6:08.

A natural hat-trick from Dhane Smith changed the complexion of the game. First, a laser off a Josh Byrne feed 0:16 seconds later tied the game. Smith then blasted a Clay Scanlan pass at 9:16, followed by a shortside laser off a Josh Byrne feed at 10:35.

With 0:49 seconds left in the half the Rock were awarded a penalty shot.  Challen Rogers made no mistake, beating Matt Vinc.

At the half, Buffalo 6 Toronto 5.

Warriors

Third Quarter:

The Rock opened the third quarter scoring on a great individual effort from Chris Boushy scoring with two Bandits on his back at 1:01, but Buffalo answered with Kyle Buchanan scoring on a low bounced shot off a Dhane Smith pass at 3:05.

Mark Matthews tied the game with a bounced shot off a CJ Kirst pass at 4:46, but on the power-play Ryan Benesch hit a quick stick off a Kyle Buchanan pass at 7:48.  Buffalo increased their lead when Josh Byrne finished a Dhane Smith pass at 11:51.

After three quarters, Buffalo 9 Toronto 7.

Fourth Quarter:

Josh Byrne scored on a delayed penalty off a Dhane Smith pass at 0:55  seconds, but Mark Matthews got Toronto back in the game with a blast off a Challen Rogers pass at 4:52.

Matt Spanger increased the Bandits lead to three once again in transition with a shot to the far corner off a Dylan Robinson pass at 8:16, followed by Josh Byrne from in front off a Tehoka Nanticoke pass at 9:36.  Nick Weiss then went coast to coast in transition to make it a four goal lead at 10:08.

Owen Hiltz scored on the power-play off a Mark Matthews pass at 12:41, but an empty net goal from Weiss sealed the deal at 14:45.

Final score, Buffalo 14 Toronto 9

The Three Stars:

1. Dhane Smith
2. Matt Vinc
3. Mark Matthews

Game Stats:

  • Shots on goal favored The Rock 54-44.
  • The faceoff battle went to Buffalo 15-12.
  • The Rock edged the Bandits in the loose ball battle 70-69.
  • Both squads went 2 for 3 on the power-play.  Toronto scored on a penalty shot while shorthanded.

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