Byrne baby, Byrne.

Josh Byrne of the Bandits was the brightest star of a great weekend of National Lacrosse League action, scoring seven goals in Buffalo’s 13-12 overtime road victory against the Colorado Mammoth Saturday.

Two of those goals were of the jaw-dropping variety, including a behind-the-back shot that made it on SportsCenter’s Top 10 plays.

Number 4 on #SCtop10.

"Josh Byrne, byrnin' down the house!" pic.twitter.com/7VRPoRsPuy

— Buffalo Bandits (@NLLBandits) January 26, 2020

Absolute filth. @Joshbyrne94 | #LetsGoBandits pic.twitter.com/Drd4nJKcZT

— Buffalo Bandits (@NLLBandits) January 26, 2020

While Byrne kept Buffalo ahead for much of the action, it was Corey Small who helped the Bandits leave as victors on a wild play. The lefty forward fired a shot that bounced off the shoulder of Mammoth goalie Dillon Ward, off the post, off defenseman Jordan Gilles and then into the net.

How about that ending?! #LetsGoBandits pic.twitter.com/wxHBgVGTv1

— Buffalo Bandits (@NLLBandits) January 26, 2020

The Mammoth scored three straight goals in the closing minutes, culminating with a tally from Jacob Ruest with just over four minutes remaining that put Colorado ahead, 12-11.

Buffalo equalized on Byrne’s seventh goal with 1:03 left in regulation, setting up Small’s winner to push the Bandits to 4-1.

Halifax Stays Perfect

The Bandits are still chasing first-place Halifax in the North Division standings after the Thunderbirds came back from a 6-3 halftime deficit to best the Calgary Roughnecks, 15-12.

Halifax went on an 11-2 run which included seven straight spanning the third and fourth quarters to go up 13-8. Calgary, which has lost three straight without suspended star Dane Dobbie, couldn’t cut the deficit under three goals the rest of the way.

“There was no panic in this group,” Thunderbirds defenseman Jake Withers told HalifaxThunderbirds.com. “We knew we had the guys in the locker room to make a big comeback in the second half.”

Stephen Keogh led the way with five goals, Mike Burke had six assists and Clarke Petterson notched five points. The T-Birds moved to 6-0 with the victory.

The Thunderbirds are now the last undefeated team in the league after the New England Black Wolves suffered their first defeat in five games. Unlike last week, when Callum Crawford scored on a leaping overtime shot, it was Georgia’s Miles Thompson who served as the OT hero on Sunday in Connecticut.

Miles Thompson calls in overtime!

An electric finish in New England and the Swarm defeat the Black Wolves 11-10. pic.twitter.com/0eQL4LAZr4

— NLL (@NLL) January 26, 2020

It was a much-needed victory for the Swarm, who had lost three straight and were falling behind the Black Wolves and Wings in the East Division standings.

“It feels good to get a win coming off a losing streak,” Thompson said on Bleacher Report Live. “The ball came off the backboard, and I scooped it up and I see [Black Wolves goalie Doug Jamieson], he didn’t know where I was. So that was my chance.”

Getting in Damude

The San Diego Seals played without starting goalie Frankie Scigliano on Saturday, but that wasn’t a problem thanks to the performance by Nick Damude.

The 21-year-old goalie made 36 saves against New York in his first career start to earn his first career win by a 15-11 score. San Diego outscored the Riptide in the second half, 8-4, after going into the break tied at seven.

“It was nice to see Damude get his first win tonight,” Seals GM and head coach Patrick Merrill said. “I thought we started well and played with good energy on both ends of the floor. We loosened up in the second quarter, but I thought we played Seals lacrosse in the second half. It was nice to get a big win on the road against a good team.”

Breathing a sigh of relief that Damude stayed healthy was Connor Kearnan, the Seals forward thrust into emergency backup duties.

Wesley Berg and Connor Fields each had five points for San Diego.

On the other side of the floor, New York celebrated the debut of Myles Jones. The former Duke star and current Chaos LC midfielder outdoors made his much-anticipated indoor debut days after signing with his hometown franchise. Jones shot twice but did not score.

“These guys are really special,” Jones said before the game on B/R Live. “I’ve been around this group for the weekend now and it’s been awesome to just get to know these guys and learn the game.”

The Next Step

The Seals game was the Riptide’s second loss of the weekend, with New York dropping the weekend opener, 14-6, to the Philadelphia Wings. With the victory, the Wings moved to 5-1 and surpassed last year’s win total.

Brett Hickey scored five times as Philadelphia closed the game on a 9-1 run. Kevin Crowley also had seven points while Kiel Matisz had six.

Mamba Mentality

The sports story that dominated headlines over the weekend — and truly transcended sports — was the sudden and shocking death of basketball legend Kobe Bryant at 41. The former Los Angeles Lakers star was known for his tireless effort and determination, becoming an icon for a generation of athletes.

Unsurprisingly, lacrosse players shared what impact the Black Mamba had on their lives and how devastated they were by the loss of both him and his 13-year-old daughter, Gianna, in a helicopter crash near Calabasas, Calif.

My heart hurts. This photo makes me want to be at home holding all 5 of my kids.
Today is a sure example that legends never die. He is STILL changing us for the good.

Parents: grab your kids, hold them, texts them, give them your time.
Sending Prayers to all those involved pic.twitter.com/AWphd9uJX3

— LYLE THOMPSON (@lyle4thompson) January 27, 2020

Here’s some for one of the greatest in #KobeBryant Was fortunate to catch his last game with the @Lakers in his hometown @WellsFargoCtr It was amazing to see the love Philly has for its own. Listen to his intro to the crowd Our prayers are with his family #RIPMAMBA pic.twitter.com/BhpfDXLxdz

— Chris Collins (@Chris_Collins33) January 26, 2020

Have been watching, reading and listening all day. Commonly shared isn’t his highlights, championships or MVP’s — I’ve seen very few of those. It’s mostly about how @kobebryant made us feel. Loved. Heard. Inspired. Encouraged. It’s endless. Terrible we lost him. Lucky we had him.

— Paul Rabil (@PaulRabil) January 27, 2020

The National Lacrosse League sends our condolences to Vanessa and the family of Kobe Bryant, his daughter, Gianna, and those who suddenly lost their lives today. Our hearts are with our @NBA family. pic.twitter.com/wH0bxbnUhH

— NLL (@NLL) January 27, 2020

Bryant actually met with a group of lacrosse players at his Mamba Sports Academy the night before his passing.

Just last night, Kobe greeted a group of lacrosse players at his Mamba Sports Academy who were being trained by @KyleHarrison18.

RIP to an icon pic.twitter.com/tkCRRNM9j3

— US Lacrosse Magazine (@USLacrosseMag) January 26, 2020

Noteworthy

The Bandits placed Chris Cloutier on injured reserve on Saturday and elevated Quinn Powless to the active roster in a corresponding move … Vancouver released veteran goalie Aaron Bold and signed 24-year-old Nolan Clayton in his place. Clayton had been playing in the Arena Lacrosse League … Colorado’s Dylan Molloy scored his first NLL goal, and it came on a stellar diving play.

"Here's Molloy. Driving. SHOOTS. HE SCORES. Get that ball! Dylan Molloy's FIRST in the NLL and we're tied at one" pic.twitter.com/qPteSWvSj0

— NLL (@NLL) January 26, 2020

Up Next
All times EST

Friday
Georgia at Philadelphia, 7 p.m.
Halifax at Toronto, 7:30 p.m.
Rochester at Buffalo, 7:30 p.m.

Saturday
Vancouver at New England, 7 p.m.
Colorado vs. San Diego (in Las Vegas), 10 p.m.