Thunderbirds eliminate Warriors from NLL playoffs with 10-7 road win

VANCOUVER — The Vancouver Warriors were ahead 7-1 at halftime and looked to have their National Lacrosse League single-elimination playoff game under control on Friday.

But the eighth-seeded Halifax Thunderbirds scored nine unanswered goals in the second half and eliminated the regular-season champions from the post-season picture with a 10-7 victory.

Jason Knox had four goals and two assists, Clarke Petterson had two goals and three assists, and the Thunderbirds punched their ticket to the best-of-three semifinals against the winner of Saturday’s showdown between the Georgia Swarm and Buffalo Bandits.

Mike Robinson scored twice, Cody Jamieson and Jake Withers each had a goal and two assists, and Casey Wilson, Brendan Bomberry and Ryan Terefenko each chipped in with two assists for the Thunderbirds. Netminder Warren Hill made 36 saves for the winners.

Keegan Bal led Vancouver with three goals and three assists, Marcus Klarich had two goals, Jesse King had a goal and four assists, and Curtis Dickson had a goal and an assist.

Christian Del Bianco made 61 saves for Vancouver.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published April 24, 2026.