Game 2 of the 2025 NLL Finals marked the first championship round game at Saskatoon’s SaskTel Centre since 2018, when the Rush were in the midst of their run of three titles in four years. Coming off a disappointing 12-10 takedown in Game 1, Saskatchewan rebounded in the second battle, defeating the two-time defending champion Bandits in a thrilling 11-10 slugfest.
A decisive Game 3 will ignite on Saturday, May 24, from Buffalo’s KeyBank Center. The festivities begin at 4:30 ET/2:30 MT on TSN and ESPN2.
The Rush raced out to 3-0 lead, only to witness Buffalo even the score 3-3, leading to an eventual 6-6 tie at halftime. The squads alternated goals in the third, including yet another behind the back extravaganza off the stick of Chase Fraser.
Chase Fraser you are a SICKO.
In the biggest game of the year, Fraser goes one-handed, behind-the-back to give the Bandits a 7-6 lead over the Rush.#SCtop10 pic.twitter.com/b9VaUjOTMj
— NLL (@NLL) May 19, 2025
Come the fourth, SSK trailed 9-8; that is, until the locals rattled off three straight connectors, courtesy of one Zach Manns’ and two successive Austin Shanks’ blasts, advancing the Rush advantage to 11-9. A Kyle Buchanan score with 1:05 remaining set the stage for a dramatic final minute that featured a sterling Frank Scigliano save, followed by a Holden Garlent blocked shot as time expired on the scoreboard.
As has been the case throughout the postseason, Shanks served as the star attraction for the home club, scoring three and assisting on five more, bringing his 2025 playoff goal tally to a whopping 16.
The former Thunderbirds stalwart was in awe of the 8,216 fans in attendance, while feeling good about what lies ahead next weekend.
A huge crowd for the NLL Finals. Bandits vs Rush (Photo: Jeffrey Crawford)
“We love playing at home. Our fans are great. It’s home floor, it’s a pride and energy thing. We just grind, grind, grind for 60 minutes. Home or away, we’re going to take that championship next weekend,” said the first-year Rush standout.
The previously noted Manns also came to play on Sunday night, finishing his game with two goals and four assists. Ryan Keenan and Jake Boudreau added an additional two tallies apiece, blazing the trail for the essential Rush win.
On the defending champions’ side of the equation, Dhane Smith notched two scores and three helpers, as Fraser, Clay Scanlan and Ian MacKay each tabulated a pair of goals. MacKay now stands at 15 goals amid his ridiculous postseason surge.
Between the pipes, Scigliano and Matt Vinc knocked down 40 and 41 shots respectively, with both keepers standing tall in this down-to-the-wire classic.
BROCK HALEY TAKES FLIGHT ✈️
Austin Shanks finds Haley for a nasty finish that ties it at 7.
What. A. Game. pic.twitter.com/JjbsuA6BYV
— NLL (@NLL) May 19, 2025
Rush general manager/co-head Coach Derek Keenan left the winning bench feeling the highest level of respect for the opposing kings of the NLL mountaintop, while simultaneously holding his team’s approach in very high esteem.
“It was a tough game tonight. The Bandits are a handful,” he admitted. “They got some serious weapons on offense. We just hung in. Shanks and a couple of our old guys made some really smart plays in the fourth quarter, when we felt they had a couple guys up and down the floor a few times and we’re a little fatigued. We attacked them and took advantage of that. That’s just smart lacrosse.”
Game 3 will be a sight to behold! The countdown is on.
