Vancouver Warriors set franchise record 12 wins in a season with victory over the Halifax Thunderbirds

MEGAN SWAIN/GATG

The Vancouver Warriors were back at Rogers Arena on April 10, in a Canadian matchup against the Halifax Thunderbirds. Halifax led for the majority of the game, but the Warriors took their first lead with under five minutes left in the game to win 8-7.

Last week, the Warriors were in Buffalo to face the Buffalo Bandits, and lost 15-5. Heading into their game against the Thunderbirds, the Warriors were yet to lose back-to-back games this season, and that stays true with their win.

The Thunderbirds opened the scoring early into the first quarter, but the Warriors tied it shortly after. Before the end of the quarter, the Thunderbirds scored twice more to take a 3-1 lead.

The teams exchanged three goals in the second quarter to maintain the Thunderbirds two goal lead, 6-4, at half. Two of these Warriors goals came from Curtis Dickson, and with them, he reached 40 goals on the season for the tenth time of his career. He is the second player in National Lacrosse League history to record 10 seasons of 40+ goals.

It was a scoreless third quarter that left the Warriors with 15 minutes to find a way to win to help their pursuit of claiming home advantage for the 2026 NLL playoffs.

The Warriors got within one before the Thunderbirds retook a two-goal lead. They then scored three to take a 8-7 lead that they won the game with. Keegan Bal scored the Warriors sixth goal, and with it, tied the franchise record for most points in a season that he set last year with 112. Bal assisted on the game-winning goal, setting a new franchise record for most points in a season with 113.

The Halifax Thunderbirds came back to tie the game, but as they scored with 1:59 left in the game, the goal was automatically reviewed. The goal was called back as the Thunderbirds players foot was down in the crease before the ball crossed the line, and the Warriors won 8-7.

Next up, the Warriors play their final game of the regular season on Saturday, April 18 at Rogers Arena for Fan Appreciation Night. They then set their sights on the 2026 NLL Playoffs.