BUFFALO, N.Y. — The Buffalo Bandits defeated the Albany FireWolves 15-13 on Saturday and secured a second-straight National Lacrosse League Cup.

"We struggled at first," said Buffalo forward Dhane Smith. "We figured it out down the stretch, and you know what? All that matters is the playoffs. Once we got in, we knew we were going to have a good chance."

"I have never had a doubt in this team," added teammate Ian MacKay. "I was that locker room that believed. We got here and we took care of business."

At one point the Bandits were 5-6 on the season, with injuries and an uphill climb ahead of them. Helping them with that climb, and with five goals in the clincher, was Chase Fraser.

"[It's] unbelievable," Fraser said. "Going back to back, it's awesome. Winning it with this group of guys in front of these fans, we're happy to do it at home. [I'm] just ecstatic right now."

Connor Farrell has fallen in love with the team he worked to deliver for. An addition midway through the season, some call him "The Milkman."

"I was doing everything I could to help the team out," Farrell said. "I'm lost for words right now. I can't explain how happy I am right now," said Farrell.

All of Banditland is thrilled to be hoisting another NLL cup. Stalwarts in recent years, Matt Vinc and Tehoka Nanticoke, may go down as some of the best to ever play and they look to the stands for their fuel.

"You know, this is why I came to Buffalo," Vinc said. 

"This arena, the fans, there's no words, right?" Nanticoke said. "We wouldn't be here without them. Every away game [and] every home game, they show up and ball out for us and I love it. I wouldn't want to be anywhere else but right here."

Every member of the team puts it all out on the field, which happens to be about 20 minutes south of where defenseman Zack Belter grew up in Niagara County, as well as about 90 minutes north of his alma mater of St. Bonaventure.

"It's so cool," he said. "This whole year, it's been surreal. I have the best teammates in the world, the best coaches in the world [and the] best organization in the world. I'm just thankful to be a part of it."

The Bandits have dealt with diversity this season and overcome a young and hungry challenger to retain the title. 

The win is still hitting the league's offensive player of the year, season and finals MVP, Josh Byrne.

"You would think that it would feel different," Byrnes said. "It just doesn't feel real. Knowing that it's back-to-back [and] knowing how the season went and to finish it like this in front of 19,000 fans? You can’t make this up."