Bandits ‘Raise the Banner’ on Another NLL Season

Shawn Slaght

Buffalo Bandits vs Georgia Swarm, November 29, 2025 at KeyBank Center. (Photo credit: Buffalo Bandits)

The Buffalo Bandits celebrated raising their championship banner on Saturday night with a 15–11 win over the Georgia Swarm to open their NLL season.

However, it was not a banner performance from the goaltenders in the first half. Matt Vinc and Brett Dobson allowed a combined 16 goals before halftime.

Everything fell apart for the Swarm in the third quarter. After taking no infractions in the first half, Georgia was assessed nine minutes in penalties in the third. Buffalo capitalized with a four-goal run.

Dhane Smith picked up right where he left off, leading the Bandits with four goals and four assists for eight points. Josh Byrne wasn’t far behind with two goals and four assists.

Mitch de Snoo looked strong in his first game back with the Bandits, recording a goal and an assist along with 10 loose balls. Ryan Benesch also returned to Buffalo, notching a goal and an assist on nine shots.

Shayne Jackson led the way for Georgia with four goals and two assists, while Kaleb Benedict broke out with two goals and three assists. Meanwhile, the Bandits’ defence held Lyle Thompson to just one assist.

First Quarter

It was a wild start, with Jackson scoring 32 seconds into the game.

Smith replied 24 seconds later to tie it 1–1 before the first minute was up.

Jackson restored the Swarm’s lead at 3:57.

Buffalo responded with a three-goal run. De Snoo scored his first since returning at 4:50, followed by Benesch at 7:34 to give the Bandits a 3–2 lead.

Steve Priolo extended the lead off a feed from Kyle Buchanan at 9:12, and Smith capped the four-goal stretch at 11:57.

The Swarm clawed back. Kason Tarbell scored with 2:27 remaining off a pass from Jeff Henrick, and Benedict scored on the power play with 36 seconds left. Buffalo led 5–4 after the first.

Second Quarter

Jackson struck early again, scoring 47 seconds into the quarter.

Tehoka Nanticoke replied in transition at 1:29 to put Buffalo back on top 6–5. Byrne added to the lead at 6:25 off a feed from de Snoo.

Michael Grace found Ben Trumble at 9:27 to pull Georgia within one, but Smith restored the two-goal cushion at 10:02.

Cole and Benedict scored 37 seconds apart to tie the game 8–8 heading into halftime.

Third Quarter

Nolan Byrne scored his first career goal 45 seconds into the half to give Georgia a 9–8 lead, but things unraveled quickly for the Swarm.

Ian MacKay tied the game at 1:06, and Byrne put the Bandits back in front shortly after.

Then Georgia ran into penalty trouble. They were called for illegal substitution at 5:17 but killed off the penalty.

A wild moment followed when goaltender Brett Dobson was assessed a five-minute major for high-sticking at 8:27. After automatic review, the call was upheld and Dobson served the penalty himself.

Devlin Shanahan entered the game, but one second after the major expired, he mishandled a pass to his defender, leaving Nanticoke with an easy goal with 1:32 left.

Jack Travassos took an illegal cross-check penalty with 1:05 remaining, and MacKay scored on the ensuing power play with 51 seconds left as Buffalo led 12–9 after three.

Fourth Quarter

Jackson brought the Swarm back within two just 38 seconds into the fourth.

But the momentum vanished when Smith scored shorthanded at 7:54.

Jordan MacIntosh cut the lead to 13–11 with 4:41 to go, giving Georgia a glimmer of hope.

However, the defending champions closed it out. Buchanan scored with 4:09 left, and Dylan Robinson sealed the win with 1:29 remaining to make it 15–11.

Bandits head coach John Tavares, Dhane Smith and Connor Farrell commented after the win (videos by Gary Groob):