The Albany FireWolves (2-10) were defeated by the New York Riptide (4-9), 13-10, at the Nassau Coliseum in Uniondale, New York on Saturday evening.  Albany scored the game’s first goal, then New York notched four in a row in the first quarter and never looked back. FireWolves forward Connor Kelly surpassed 100 career points early in the third quarter on his second of three goals in the contest.
Full statistics from tonight’s game can be found here.
| SCORE BY QUARTER |
1 |
2 |
3 |
4 |
FINAL |
| ALBANY |
2 |
2 |
2 |
4 |
10 |
| NEW YORK |
4 |
4 |
3 |
2 |
13 |
The Riptide took the game’s opening faceoff, but it was Albany who opened the scoring on their first possession as Ethan Walker buried one from just outside the crease. New York wasted no time answering as Scott Dominey ran out in transition after a FireWolves miss and took it the length of the turf for the score. The Riptide took the lead shortly after an FireWolves penalty as Connor Kearnan got in close and netted his first of the night. New York added to their early lead as Dan Lomas caught a feed from Jeff Teat and then went over Doug Jamieson’s right shoulder for the goal. With just under seven to go in the first quarter, Mike Burke sniped one in to put New York up by three. With the shot clock winding down, Kelly came around a pick and hit the bottom right corner of the net to get one back for Albany.
It took nearly four minutes into the new period for the first goal, but Teat caught a pass over the middle and rifled a low ball into the net to push the Riptide lead to three. New York kept the momentum as Kearnan finished a one-timer in close for his second goal in as many quarters. Albany stopped the bleed as Jake Fox came around the back of the net for a one-handed dunk goal. Shortly after a FireWolves penalty, Teat went low and bounced in his second of the night. Just seconds later, Albany got the goal back as Walker caught a rebound and found space just over Cameron Dunkerley in net. New York quickly equalized as Teat went low again and complete his hat trick with just under two minutes remaining in the half. Neither team scored in the remaining minutes as the Riptide carried an 8-4 lead into the halftime break.
The FireWolves scored first in the second half as Kelly came around a screen over the middle and sniped one into the back of the net to cut into the Riptide lead. Following two Albany penalties, New York was able to capitalize on a five-on-three opportunity as Tyler Digby got in close and scored his first of the night. Still on a power play, Larson Sundown caught a pass just outside the crease and netted another for the Riptide, giving them a five-goal lead. Midway through the third, Kearnan completed his hat trick as he caught and shot a quick pass from the center of the floor. With just under five to go in the period Kelly notched his third as he went wrong side and low for the goal.
After a scoring drought by both teams, Kearnan leapt off one foot and buried his fourth of the night to push the Riptide lead to six halfway into the final period. Following an Albany turnover, Jack Kelly ran the floor and scored another for New York in transition. Shortly after, Fox recovered a loose ball behind the net and found newly acquired Marshall Powless who scored his first goal with his new team. Second later, Kelly came around a pick and rifled in his fourth of the night to cut the deficit to five with just under six minutes remaining. Keeping the momentum, Walker recovered a rebound a finished his hat trick. In the remaining seconds of the game, Walker notched his fourth of the night, but the Riptide ended the contest with a 13-10 victory.
The FireWolves are back home for a rematch against the Rock on Saturday, March 25 at 7:00 p.m. Â For more information regarding tickets and Star Wars Night, 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.
