The Albany FireWolves (2-2) defeated the Halifax Thunderbirds (3-2), 11-10, at the Scotiabank Centre in Halifax on Friday evening. The game was back and forth throughout, but the FireWolves were able to tie it late in the fourth and eventually win in sudden death overtime on Kieran McArdle’s fourth goal of the night.
Full statistics from tonight’s game can be found here: https://albanyfirewolves.com/game/803299361/.
| SCORE BY QUARTER |
1 |
2 |
3 |
4/OT |
FINAL |
| ALBANY |
2 |
2 |
2 |
5 |
11 |
| HALIFAX |
2 |
1 |
3 |
4 |
10 |
Halifax won the game’s opening faceoff, and after empty trips by both sides, Warren Hill found Colton Armstrong in transition who ran the rest of the way before beating Doug Jamieson for the first goal of the night. Following an early unsportsmanlike conduct penalty on the Thunderbirds, Tanner Thomson flipped a behind-the-back pass to a cutting Ethan Walker who finished in front of the net to tie the game at one. Halifax was quickly hit with another penalty, but the Thunderbirds were able to score shorthanded as Wake:Riat Bowhunter fired one in from deep. After penalties on both sides, Jamieson stopped a Thunderbirds shot and found Colton Watkinson in transition who took advantage of a breakaway opportunity for Albany’s second goal of the contest.
Albany wasted no time taking their first lead of the night early in the second quarter as Justin Scott ripped one in from deep in the center of the floor. The Thunderbirds quickly got the goal back as Chris Boushy caught a pass just outside the crease and was able to finish. Fresh out of a television timeout, John Piatelli came around a pick a landed a rocket in the back of the net to regain the lead for Albany.
After nearly 20 minutes of game time without a goal, Jackson Nishimura ended the drought as he ran out ahead of Halifax in transition and bounced one between Hill’s legs to give Albany a 5-3 lead with just under seven minutes to go in the third quarter. Albany kept the momentum as McArdle scooped up a rebound in the center of the floor and added another for the FireWolves. The Thunderbirds finally scored their first goal of the half as Austin Shanks put one between Jamieson’s legs to cut the Albany lead to 6-4. Seconds later, Eric Fannell got in close and buried a shot to bring Halifax within a goal. On a delayed penalty, Fannell scored again, this time from the center of the floor, to knot the game at six.
Halifax took the lead early in the fourth quarter as Boushy completed a one-timer just outside the crease. On the following possession, the Thunderbirds notched their fifth goal in a row as Clarke Petterson fired one in from the left side. Albany was able to stop the bleeding as Tanner Thomson found some space in the deep center of the floor and sniped in his first score of the night. The Thunderbirds quickly brought it back to a two-goal lead as Fannell dove across the crease and completed his hat trick. With just under five to play, Kitchen fed a cutting McArdle who bounced one in to cut the Halifax lead to one. The Thunderbirds quickly reclaimed the two-goal lead as Armstrong took a long rebound the length of the floor and finished the play for his second of the night. McArdle stayed hot and completed a hat trick of his own after a great pass from Nishimura. With under a minute left, Albany pulled Jamieson from the net and immediately capitalized as Walker tied the game at 10. Halifax was unable to score with the final possession and the game went into overtime. In less than two minutes, McArdle called game by burying his fourth goal of the night as Albany took an 11-10 victory on the road.
The FireWolves return home to face the New York Riptide on Saturday, January 21. For more information regarding tickets, visit www.AlbanyFireWolves.com or call/text the FireWolves front office at 518-362-4900.
About Albany FireWolves
The Albany FireWolves is the Capital Region’s very own Professional Box Lacrosse team, playing in the National Lacrosse League out of the MVP Arena in downtown Albany, NY. For more information, contact the Albany FireWolves Front Office at (518) 362-4900 or visit AlbanyFireWolves.com. Follow the team on Facebook at facebook.com/AlbFireWolves, Twitter @AlbFireWolves, and Instagram @AlbFireWolves.
About the National Lacrosse League
The National Lacrosse League (NLL) is North America’s premier professional lacrosse league. Founded in 1986, the NLL ranks third in average attendance for pro indoor sports worldwide, behind only the NHL and NBA. The League is comprised of 15 franchises across the United States and Canada: Albany FireWolves, Buffalo Bandits, Calgary Roughnecks, Colorado Mammoth, Georgia Swarm, Halifax Thunderbirds, Las Vegas Desert Dogs, New York Riptide, Panther City Lacrosse Club (TX), Philadelphia Wings, Rochester Knighthawks, San Diego Seals, Saskatchewan Rush, Toronto Rock, and Vancouver Warriors.
For more information, visit NLL.com and find @NLL on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. For more information visit NLL.com.
About ASM Global
ASM Global is the world’s leading venue management and services company. The company was formed by the combination of AEG Facilities and SMG, global leaders in venue and event strategy and management. The company’s elite venue network spans five continents, with a portfolio of more than 325 of the world’s most prestigious arenas, stadiums, convention, and exhibition centers, and performing arts venues. From Aberdeen to Anchorage, and Sydney to Stockholm, its venues connect people through the unique power of live experiences. ASM Global’s diverse portfolio of clients benefit from the company’s depth of resources and unparalleled experience, expertise and creative problem solving. Each day, the company’s 61,000 passionate employees around the world deliver locally tailored solutions and cutting-edge technologies to deliver maximum results for venue owners and amazing experiences for guests. By consistently looking for new ways to envision, innovate and empower the spaces and places that bring people together, ASM Global elevates the human spirit while delivering the highest value for all stakeholders. For more information, please visit www.asmglobal.com.
About MVP Arena
MVP Arena is a full-service entertainment and sports facility featuring a wide variety of family shows, sporting events, trade shows and concerts. Owned by Albany County and managed by ASM Global, MVP Arena opened in 1990 and is home to the Albany FireWolves of the National Lacrosse League, the Albany Empire of the National Arena League and the Division I Men’s College Basketball Siena Saints. For more information, please visit www.mvparena.com.
