The Buffalo Bandits are the champions of the National Lacrosse League. Again. In some ways, nothing is surprising about the Bandits hoisting another trophy. They boast the league’s MVP, Josh Byrne, multiple MVP-winner Dhane Smith, the greatest goaltender in league history, Matt Vinc, and a highly capable supporting cast across all positions. Entering the season, anyone who suggested that the Bandits were a solid bet to repeat as champions would have been entirely justified in thinking so. But what is so fascinating about this run to the league crown is the path that the Bandits followed. Not only did the Bandits enter the playoffs as the fourth seed in the eight-team tournament, they were below .500 on March 1. In 80 days, the Buffalo Bandits went from a 5-6 team to league champs with an overall record of 16-7 across 23 regular-season and playoff games. Not only did the Bandits win the final nine games that they played, including both the regular season and the playoffs, but they lost just once in their final 12 games.