LAS VEGAS (Dec. 29, 2025) – The Las Vegas Desert Dogs (2–1) have built momentum with back-to-back wins and will look to carry that success into the new year as they head east for a matchup against the reigning 2024–25 NLL Cup champions, the Buffalo Bandits (2–1).
Las Vegas and Buffalo will face off on Saturday, Jan. 3, 2026, at 4 p.m. PT at KeyBank Center in the first of three matchups for the second annual Tucker Out Lymphoma Cup.
Last year’s winner, the Bandits, will defend the title. Both teams will wear special lime green jerseys representing the ribbon color for the fight against Burkitt’s Lymphoma, designed by Oshawa FireWolves player Dyson Williams.
For more information about the Cup and what it represents, click here.
Saturday’s contest also marks a reunion for Desert Dogs Chris Cloutier and Chase Fraser, who will make their return to Banditland after signing with Las Vegas this offseason. The duo spent most of their NLL careers in Buffalo, helping the Bandits capture three consecutive NLL Cups over the past three seasons. Together, Cloutier and Fraser totaled 522 points during their time with the franchise.
This will be the third meeting between the Desert Dogs and Bandits in franchise history, with Buffalo winning each of the first two matchups. The most recent meeting came on March 21, 2025, when Las Vegas fell 13–10.
DESERT DOGS LEAVE (PAW) PRINTS IN HISTORY
The Las Vegas Desert Dogs dominated the Toronto Rock in a 17–11 win, setting a new franchise record for goals in a single game. Jackson Webster and Chase Fraser each recorded hat tricks, Mitch Jones extended his goal streak to three games, and Chris Cloutier reached 300 career NLL points with a seven-point night. Las Vegas was perfect on the power play (3-for-3) and had four separate three-plus goal runs, showing the offensive explosion the team has been building toward this season.
THE BANDITS KEEP STEALING WINS
Even after losing two key pieces from their offense, the Bandits have still managed to win two of their three games in dominating fashion. They dropped 15 goals on the Georgia Swarm and 13 on the Calgary Roughnecks. Their only loss came to the third-place Halifax Thunderbirds, and even that was by just one goal, 9-8. This is a team that knows how to win and how to keep winning. They are well coached, well trained, and well prepared for any matchup.
The Bandits boast two of the top five scorers in the NLL: Josh Byrne (6G, 14A) with 20 points, and Dhane Smith (10G, 14A) with 24 points. Smith is second in the league in goals. This is no surprise, as both players finished tied for first in points during the 2024–25 season with 134 points each.
Explosive offense meets explosive offense in this one.
MILESTONES
Jonathan Donville needs 6 assists to reach 200 career NLL assists.
John LaFontaine needs 6 more loose ball recoveries to reach 700 career NLL recoveries.
Tony Malcolm needs 4 goals to reach 100 career NLL goals and 5 assists to reach 150 career NLL assists.
Chris Cloutier surpassed 300 career NLL points in the win over the Rock.
LVDD POINT LEADERS
#16 Mitch Jones – 18 points (6G, 12A)
#3 Jonathan Donville – 16 points (4G, 12A)
#25 Chris Cloutier – 15 points (3G, 12A)
#8 Chase Fraser – 10 points (5G, 5A)
#19 Adam Poitras – 7 points (5G, 2A)
ABOUT LAS VEGAS DESERT DOGS
The Las Vegas Desert Dogs are a professional box lacrosse team and a member of the National Lacrosse League (NLL). Known for their dedication to excellence and their passionate fanbase, the Desert Dogs have become a symbol of local pride for the city of Las Vegas and one of the most entertaining nights out. The Desert Dogs play 18 games in the regular season, 9 home games + 9 away games. All home games are played at Lee’s Family Forum located in Henderson, NV, minutes away from the Las Vegas Strip. Games can be viewed locally on FOX 5, SSSEN, YouTube TV, ESPN+ and select games on ESPN2 and ESPNU. To stay updated on all things Las Vegas Desert Dogs, visit our official website lasvegasdesertdogs.com and follow us on social media @VegasDesertDogs on Facebook, Instagram, X and LinkedIn.
ABOUT NATIONAL LACROSSE LEAGUE
The National Lacrosse League (NLL) is North America’s largest professional lacrosse league and welcomed more than 1 million fans for the third consecutive year during the 2024-25 season. Founded in 1986, the NLL is comprised of 14 franchises across Canada and the United States, and recently unveiled its largest brand campaign ever, “Welcome to The Next Major League™” and introduced its comprehensive grassroots initiative, NLL UnBOXed™, that will expand the League’s footprint to 60 communities across North America by 2028. For the latest scores and developments in the National Lacrosse League, please visit: NLL.com and find the NLL on Facebook, Instagram, X, YouTube and TikTok. Games are available live and streaming on TSN, TSN+, ESPN, and NLL+.
For all media inquiries please contact, Dana Mariotti, Vice President of Marketing & Communications, [email protected].
