Bandits capture pro lacrosse title

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Thanks to some key performances from Native players, the Buffalo

Bandits are once again the Major Indoor Lacrosse League champions. The

Bandits won the championship final in the U.S. based league with a 15-10

triumph on home turf over the Philadelphia Wings on April 12.

Buffalo had previously won back-to-back league crowns in 1992 and '93.

The Bandits' victory this season prevented the Wings from flying of with

their third consecutive title.

The most recognizable Native players with the Bandits this season were

once again the Kilgour brothers: Rich, 27, Darris, 25 and Travis, 22.

Though they were all born in Niagara Falls, N.Y., and continue to live

in the U.S.,all three Kilgours are also well known in Canadian box

lacrosse circles. For the past two summers, they've toiled in the

Ontario Lacrosse Association for the Six Nations Chiefs. Both seasons,

the Chiefs have captured the Mann Cup, annually presented to the top

senior team in Canada.

With the Bandits this season, Rich ended up as the club's fifth leading

scorer with 26 points on six goals and 20 assists in nine regular season

games. Meanwhile, Travis had 12 goals and nine assists for 21 points in

10 matches. Darris, who was limited to only six games because of a

suspension and injuries, collected eight goals and five assists.

Other Native players with the Bandits this season included forward

Robert Henry and back-up goaltender Clint Jones. Henry, who lives on

the Tuscarora Nation in New York, appeared in six games this season and

tallied three goals and five assists.

Jones, who had previously played Junior "A" lacrosse in Six Nations,

was the Bandits' third-string netminder this season. He didn't play in

any games as Buffalo primarily used its top goalie, Pat O'Toole, who was

voted the most valuable player in the league final. Other teams in the

pro loop included the Baltimore Thunder, Boston Blazers, Charlotte

Cobras, New York Saints and Rochester Knighthawks.