How to watch Buffalo Bandits banner raising, home opener vs. Rochester Knighthawks

BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) — It will be a banner night in Banditland. Here's how to watch Buffalo's lacrosse dynasty raise another NLL Cup championship tapestry in the KeyBank Center box before Saturday night's home opener.

Television

ESPN2 will broadcast the 6:30 p.m. face-off with the Rochester Knighthawks. This is the only Bandits game of the regular season scheduled to be shown on national television. CW 23 is the local broadcast home of the Bandits for every other game. Canadian fans can watch on TSN.

Streaming

Buffalo's sixth championship banner raising ceremony starts at 6:15 p.m. and can be seen on ESPN+ and TSN+. A replay will be available through NLL+, a new, free service available this year.

Radio

All Bandits games are scheduled to be available on 1520 AM in Western New York.

Going to the game

Tickets have sold out, but some are available on the secondary market. Doors open at 5 p.m., and fans are asked to be in their seats by 6:10 p.m. for the pregame ceremony. Fans in attendance will receive a commemorative mini championship banner.

Bandits vs. KnightHawks notes

Buffalo began the season with 15-7 victory at Rochester and won 18-7 at Ottawa before a bye week. ... It's the fifth time in team history and first sicne 2015 that the Bandits have won consecutive games by eight goals or more. ... Bandits defenseman Paul Dawson, transition player Thomas Whitty, and goalie Matt Vinc are former Knighthawks players. Vinc backstopped Rochester's three-peat in the 2012-14 seasons and is trying to become the first player in league history to accomplish the feat with multiple franchises. ... Dhane Smith leads the Bandits with 20 points (five goals, 15 assists). ... Ian MacKay had a career-high five goals in the win against Ottawa. ... This is the start of a four-game homestand for Buffalo.

Bandits roster

• Forwards (7): Kyle Buchanan, Josh Byrne, Chris Cloutier, Chase Fraser, Tehoka Nanticoke, Lukas Nielsen, Dhane Smith
• Transition (4): Connor Farrell, Ian MacKay, Matt Spanger, Thomas Whitty
• Defensemen (8): Zach Belter, Paul Dawson, Sam La Roue, Justin Martin, Steve Priolo, Dylan Robinson, Nick Weiss, Cam Wyers
• Goalies (2): Steve Orleman, Matt Vinc
• Practice Squad (4): Evan Constantopoulos, Taylor Dooley, Trent Robertson, Clay Scanlan
• Physically Unable to Perform/IR (2): Emerson Clark, Bryce Sweeting

Bandits schedule

Home games in bold

• Saturday, Dec. 7 at Rochester — Won 15-7
• Friday, Dec. 13 at Ottawa — Won 18-7
• Saturday, Dec. 28 vs. Rochester – 6:30 p.m. (ESPN2)
• Friday, Jan. 10 vs. Toronto – 7:30 p.m. (CW23)
• Saturday, Jan. 18 vs. Philadelphia – 7:30 p.m. (CW23)
• Saturday, Feb. 1 vs. Albany – 7:30 p.m. (CW23)
• Friday, Feb. 14 at Toronto – 7 p.m. (CW23)
• Saturday, Feb. 15 vs. San Diego – 7:30 p.m. (CW23)
• Saturday, Feb. 22 at San Diego – 10 p.m. (CW23)
• Saturday, March 1 at Saskatchewan – 8 p.m. (CW23)
• Saturday, March 8 vs. Calgary – 6:30 p.m. (CW23)
• Saturday, March 15 at Calgary – 9 p.m. (CW23)
• Friday, March 21 vs. Las Vegas – 7:30 p.m. (CW23)
• Saturday, March 22 at Albany – 7:30 p.m. (CW23)
• Saturday, March 29 vs. Vancouver – 7:30 p.m. (CW23)
• Saturday, April 5 at Colorado – 9 p.m. (CW23)
• Saturday, April 12 vs. Halifax – 7:30 p.m. (CW23)
• Saturday, April 19 at Georgia – 7:30 p.m. (CW23)