Warriors put up a fight in the NLL semi-finals

Megan Swain/GATG

May 4, 2025 marked the Vancouver Warriors second home playoff game in franchise history. This was game 2 against the Buffalo Bandits in a best of 3 match up. 

Game 1 of the series was played in Buffalo where the Bandits took the lead in the series. The Warriors hoped to get the second win to push the series to game 3. 

The first quarter started physical from the draw, with both teams battling hard. Christian Del Bianco made the first stop of the game early on. 

Moments into the quarter the Warriors took their first penalty for a cross check. This put the Bandits on a power play where they capitalized on the man advantage to open the scoring for the match. 

The Warriors had multiple attempts on net but were unable to secure a goal. The Bandits would score the second goal of the game. 

Kevin Crowley scored the Warriors first goal with 5:36 left in the quarter. This shifted the energy for the team, pushing them harder than before. 

The Bandits took their first penalty of the night for goal tender interference, putting the Warriors on the man advantage. The Warriors were unable to capitalize on the power play keeping the game 2-1. 

Tensions were high on both sides, while the physicality ramped up as the quarter kept on. 

Riley Loewen tied the game with 1:19 left in the first quarter, making the game 2-2. Vancouver pulled Del Bianco with 16 seconds left in the first for an extra attacker. 

Much like the start of the first quarter, the Bandits opened the scoring in the second. Making the game 3-2 for the Bandits. 

Adam Charalambides scored the equalizing goal with 10:17 left in the quarter. Tying the game up 3-3.

The Bandits pulled their goalie at 9:37 for an extra attacker, hoping to put their team in the lead. Both teams would take penalties moments later. The Warriors for interference, while the Bandits took theirs for roughing. 

The game was 4-on-4 for 2 minutes, both teams were able to kill their penalties with no goals allowed on either side. 

The Bandits scored with 5:17 left in the second putting the score 4-3. A follow up goal came shortly after giving the Bandits a two goal lead. 

Keegan Bal scored his first goal of the game with 16.7 left in the second quarter. Putting the game within one, ending the quarter 5-4 for the Bandits. 

Charalambides scored his second goal of the night, opening the scoring in the third quarter and tying the game 5-5. 

Marcus Klarich scored his first goal of the night and the second goal of the quarter. Giving the Warriors their first lead of the night. 

The Bandits answered back quickly to tie the game at 6-6. However, Charalambides would score his third goal of the night, giving him a hat trick, and putting the Warriors back in the lead. 

Bal scored his second goal of the night to make the game 8-6 for the Warriors. Both teams battling hard, the Warriors to keep their lead, while the Bandits fought hard to try and tie the game. 

The Warriors took their third penalty of the night giving the Bandits the man advantage. On the advantage it looked as if the Bandits had scored their seventh of the night. However the goal was waved off. 

The refs decided to review the play to see if the call on the pitch would remain or be overturned. The call was ultimately overturned, and the Bandits were back within one. 

Brett Mydske took a 5 minute major penalty for a hit. The call went under review to decide if the call would remain a major penalty or if it would be dropped down to a minor. 

After review the call was dropped to a minor penalty, leaving the Bandits on the man advantage for 2 minutes. The Warriors were able to kill the penalty with no goals allowed. 

Both teams continued to fight hard. The third quarter ended 8-7 for the Warriors. 

The Bandits opened the scoring at the beginning of the fourth quarter, tying the game 8-8. 

Tensions and physicality remained high throughout the last quarter as the Warriors searched for the win to tie the series, while the Bandits looked to secure a win and move onto the finals. 

The Bandits pulled ahead by a goal with 11:57 remaining in the fourth. Another goal followed shortly after, putting the Bandits up by 2. With 11:01 left in the fourth, the score was 10-8 for the Bandits. 

Klarich scored his second goal of the night to put the game back within one. Both teams continued to fight hard to keep the energy and momentum going. 

The Bandits took a penalty with 9:58 left, putting the Warriors back on the advantage. However, they were unable to capitalize and the score would remain 10-9 for the Bandits. 

The Bandits scored their eleventh goal of the night with 5:45 left in the fourth which put them back to a two goal lead.

The Warriors had a potential goal, as the play went under review with 1:51 left in the fourth quarter. After the review the call remained as a no goal, keeping the score 11-9 for the Bandits. 

The Warriors pulled Del Bianco for an extra attacker with 1:20 remaining, unfortunately the Warriors could not secure the extra points needed, ending the game 11-9 for the Bandits. 

This loss ended the Warriors historic season. Though it was not the outcome the team wanted, they fought hard, and remained focused throughout the game. 

This season marked many incredible achievements for the team and the franchise as a whole. 

Megan Swain/GATG