The Albany FireWolves (9-9) defeated the New York Riptide (6-12), 17-9, at the MVP Arena in Albany on Saturday evening. The Riptide held a two-goal lead after the first period, but the FireWolves tied it at the half and then scored nine in a row starting in the third quarter to run away with the game. With the win, the FireWolves clinched the fourth spot in the Eastern standings and will face the Buffalo Bandits in a one-game playoff matchup in Western New York.
Full statistics from tonight’s game can be found here: https://albanyfirewolves.com/game/1582/.
| SCORE BY QUARTER |
1 |
2 |
3 |
4 |
FINAL |
| ALBANY |
2 |
4 |
6 |
5 |
17 |
| NEW YORK |
4 |
2 |
0 |
3 |
9 |
The FireWolves controlled the game’s opening faceoff but failed to score despite two early shots. The Riptide struck first nearly two minutes into action as Callum Crawford buried his first goal of the night. Wasting no time, Albany was able to tie the game at one as Andrew Kew was left wide open in front of the cage. Following a delayed penalty call on the FireWolves, Jeff Teat was able to capitalize by scoring his first of the contest. New York extended the lead after a missed Albany shot as Dan Lomas was able to get open in transition for the score. The FireWolves were able to get a goal back as Joe Resetarits skipped a pass over the defense and found Reilly O’Connor who drilled one into the back of the net. With just under two minutes to play in the quarter, Kieran McArdle fired one in from deep to push the Riptide lead to 4-2.
The second quarter opened with two quick goals in under two minutes, one by New York’s Larson Sundown and one by Albany’s O’Connor. Following a Riptide penalty, Resetarits drilled his first of the evening, cutting the deficit to just a goal. Resetarits quickly notched his second of the night as he dove across the crease to tie the game at five. After over 10 minutes without a goal, Tyler Digby was able to score despite being short-handed to regain the lead for the Riptide. With just seconds remaining in the half, Charlie Kitchen caught a pass over the middle and buried a beautiful behind the back shot to tie it up at six.
After multiple defense stands by both sides, John LaFontaine was able to hit Nick Chaykowsky in stride as he flew in front of the net and gave the FireWolves their lead for the first time in the game. Just seconds later, Kew recorded his second goal of the night after he collected a long rebound and fired one in from deep. Kew wasted no time completing his hat trick as he sniped in his third of the night to extend the lead. Following a New York penalty, Kew scored his third of the period as his shot hit off the crossbar before hitting the back of the goaltender and falling into the net. After another quick penalty on the Riptide, Ryan Benesch took advantage and scored his first of the night. Kew continued to stay hot in the quarter and netted his fifth of the night to double up the Riptide, 12-6.
Albany began the fourth period with possession, and quickly added to their lead as Resetarits completed his hat trick. The FireWolves kept piling up the goals as Adam Bomberry ran out in transition and scored. Following a Riptide turnover, Resetarits caught a pass shortly after running off the bench and beat the goaltender to notch his fourth of the contest, pushing the Albany lead to 15-6 midway through the final quarter. New York finally scored their first goal of the half as Lomas notched his second of the night. Albany quickly got the goal back as Resetarits collected a rebound off the pipe and scored on a wide-open net. One minute later, Lomas completed his hat trick to cut the Albany lead in half, 16-8. On the ensuing FireWolves possession, Benesch fought his way through the Riptide defense and netted his second of the night. Following a defense stop by New York, Darryl Robertson ran the length of the floor and scored a transition goal. Albany was able to run out the clock and cap off the win as the game ended 17-9.
With the victory, the FireWolves will now head to Buffalo for a one game playoff matchup against the Bandits. The game will be on Saturday, May 7 at 7:30 p.m. EST at the KeyBank Center in Buffalo and can be watched on ESPN+. Albany and Buffalo met twice this season, with the Bandits edging out the FireWolves both times. For more information regarding the playoffs, visit www.AlbanyFireWolves.com or call/text the FireWolves front office at 518-362-4900.
The Albany FireWolves 2021-22 Inaugural Season is presented by CDPHP.
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 NLL, 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.
About CDPHP®
Established in 1984, CDPHP is a physician-founded, member-focused and community-based not-for-profit health plan that offers high-quality affordable health insurance plans to members in 26 counties throughout New York. CDPHP is also on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Pinterest, and Instagram.
