The Albany FireWolves (6-7) defeated the Halifax Thunderbirds (8-3), 8-7, at the Scotiabank Centre on Friday evening. It was a defensive showcase as Albany was able to shutout Halifax in two different quarters in large part due to an outstanding night from Doug Jamieson in net. Full statistics from the game can be found here.
The win bumped Albany up to fifth place in the Eastern Division, just half a game behind the Georgia Swarm who the FireWolves will host this weekend. If the season ended today, Albany would be in the playoffs as the fifth team in the East and be moved into the Western Division’s side of the bracket.
| SCORE BY QUARTER |
1 |
2 |
3 |
4 |
FINAL |
| ALBANY |
1 |
3 |
3 |
1 |
8 |
| HALIFAX |
0 |
5 |
0 |
2 |
7 |
Both Joe Resetarits and Ryan Benesch led the FireWolves in scoring with 4 total points on the night. Resetarits added 2 goals and 2 assists to his season totals while Benesch recorded 4 assists. On the season, Resetarits ranks second in the league with 76 points and 33 goals. Benesch sits fifth in the league with 66 total points and 41 assists. Andrew Kew added to his season totals with 3 points on 1 goal and 2 assists. Charlie Kitchen (2 short-handed goals), Jacob Ruest (1 goal and 1 assist), and Colton Watkinson (2 assists) each had 2 total points in the contest. Reilly O’Connor, Adam Bomberry, Brett Manney, John LaFontaine, and Jordan Durston each contributed 1 point in the victory.
Jamieson was stout all night, allowing just 7 goals. The goalie recorded a season-high 47 saves on 54 Halifax shots on goal, bringing his total to a league-best 510 saves on the year. This also marked the fifth consecutive game in which Jamieson has recorded at least 40 saves. His overall save percentage on the season boosted up to .788. The Thunderbirds took 12 more shots on goal than the FireWolves, but Jamieson was more than up for the challenge.
Nardella won more than half of his faceoff attempts, going 10 for 18. On the season, Nardella has won the most total faceoffs in the league, going 217 of 311 thus far. His faceoff win-rate is 69.8 percent, now second in the league among those who have taken more than one faceoff.
Defensively, Greg Downing led the Wolves with 11 loose ball recoveries. Downing also added 2 blocked shots and 2 caused turnovers in the win. Bomberry and Nardella each scooped up 7 loose balls and caused 3 turnovers. Despite playing in just 6 games, Bomberry leads the FireWolves with 15 caused turnovers on the season. LaFontaine, Jackson Nishimura, and Curtis Conley each recovered 5 loose balls. LaFontaine also added 1 blocked shot and 3 caused turnovers and Conley blocked 2 shots in the win. Adrian Sorichetti caused 2 turnovers and blocked 1 shot. Kitchen and Mike Byrne each blocked 1 shot on the night.
Albany was 1 for 2 on power plays, getting 1 goal from Resetarits. Albany scored 3 short-handed goals in the contest, 2 by Kitchen and 1 by Brett Manney. The Thunderbirds were able to score a goal on 2 out of 5 power play situations.
The FireWolves are back home against the Georgia Swarm on Saturday, March 19. The game is at 7 p.m. at the MVP Arena in Albany and can be watched on ESPN+ and My4 Albany. Albany and Georgia split their two previous matchups this season, with each team taking a victory on their home turfs.
Fans can secure their tickets for the next FireWolves home game now! For more information regarding tickets, 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.
