BUFFALO, N.Y. — When Banditland is bumping, it starts with a whole lot of Matt Vinc sprinting full steam across the turf, pads and all.

"That wasn't premeditated. That was how I felt the first game. You know, listening to the crowd," Vinc said.

It's part of an infectious energy that has kept Vinc at the top of the league, between the pipes for several rosters over the years.

"I have had a great opportunity to to play in a lot of different cities and ultimately being able to play close to home, being 30 minutes away from Buffalo," said Vinc, "going to college at Canisius, going to a lot of games, this has been a great way to spend the last few years of my career."

He says playing for big crowds has helped keep him going.

"It's something truly special. And, it's something that I don't think is anywhere else in any pro sport," he said.

But when the seats are empty, it's just the team and the turf. What's the key?

"Attention to detail," said Vinc. "There's a lot of game film on their team. Just like there's a lot of game film on our team. So we got to be the team that's the most prepared."

Helping lock in is solid communication between Vinc and his first line of defense.

"Yeah, I think it's something that I've always tried to do since juniors, try to be vocal," he said. "You got to try to show guys what you like, what you don't like, and our defense, my defenders in the past, they've all done a really good job. ... Making the defense to suit my needs and what my strengths are."

It certainly doesn't hurt the win percentage when a high-powered offense is who you clear the ball to.

"Josh [Byrne] and Dane [Smith], and you can go through the rest of the offensive guys in general," Vinc listed. "You sit back, you go, 'Glad I don't have to play them tomorrow.' Guys one through seven on the offense, anybody can score any night and that's what's the best part about our team is: No matter what the score is, we can always be able to come back because we have such a lethal group."

Being willing and able to step in front of every high-velocity shot goes back to Vinc's early days in lacrosse and hockey pads.

"The one thing is, you can't be afraid," Vinc said. "That was the best part of what I have. Being the youngest brother is, you're playing ball hockey against older guys. So when you went out and played, when you're 9, 10 years old, it wasn't that bad when those guys were shooting on you because you're so used to playing against 15-, 16-year-olds."

Vinc's legacy continues to grow save by save in this year's NLL Cup race.

"The longevity is one thing that I'm very proud about," he said. "I'm not sure what the future holds for me in general. But I think [it's] that competitive nature. I'm very competitive. And I think that's why, Monday to Saturday, hopefully we're going to be successful when we step on the floor."

The tenured backstop says that the team has to take everything one step at a time in the playoffs as his Bandits look to three-peat as league champions.

"It's a one and done; anything can happen," he said. "So we're going to hopefully play one shift at a time and go from there. And hopefully we're able to play next week."