The Albany FireWolves (2-9) were defeated by the Toronto Rock (10-3), 12-6, at the FirstOntario Centre in Toronto on Saturday evening. Albany tied the game in the third period, but Toronto went on a run in the fourth while shutting the FireWolves to secure the victory at home. FireWolves goaltender Doug Jamieson had another solid night in net, recording 50 saves for the second game in a row.
Full statistics from tonight’s game can be found here.
| SCORE BY QUARTER |
1 |
2 |
3 |
4 |
FINAL |
| ALBANY |
2 |
2 |
2 |
0 |
6 |
| TORONTO |
1 |
4 |
3 |
4 |
12 |
Toronto was penalized early in the first quarter, but the Rock were still able to open the scoring while being a man down as Josh Jubenville ran the length of the floor and bounced one past Jamieson. Albany was able to quickly tie the game at one as Corson Kealey scooped up a rebound in close and dove across the crease to score the first goal of his career. After the FireWolves killed off a Rock power play that saw multiple shots on net, John LaFontaine ran out in transition and ripped an underhand shot into the back of the net to give Albany the lead. Toronto was unable to capitalize on another power play chance as Albany carried a 2-1 lead into the second quarter.
The FireWolves kept the early momentum as Hiana Thompson snagged a rebound in the center and went behind the back for the goal over Nick Rose’s left shoulder. Minutes later, the Rock got a goal back as Stephen Keogh went five-hole on Jamieson. Toronto soon after tied the game as Tom Schreiber fired one into the top right corner of the net. Keogh notched his second of the quarter as he rifled one in from the left side. Following an Albany penalty, Toronto was able to capitalize on a power play for the first time in the contest as Dan Craig sniped one in to give the Rock a two-goal lead. With under a minute to play in the half, Brett Manney connected with Colton Watkinson in transition who ran the rest of the way to net Albany’s fourth goal of the game. Toronto nearly scored on an empty net as time expired but maintained their 5-4 lead heading into the halftime break.
The Rock pushed their lead to two goals by scoring in the first minute of the second half as Craig got one under Jamieson’s arm for his second of the night. With just five minutes to play in the third, John Piatelli made his way to the center of the floor after a nice pick by Jake Fox and fired in his seventh goal of his rookie campaign. Following a television timeout, McArdle found Tanner Thomson just outside the crease who then dove and bounced one into the net to knot the game at six apiece. Toronto wasted no time regaining the lead as Keogh completed his hat trick with a low shot from the outside. With 40 seconds to go in the quarter, Adam Jay added another for the Rock as he ran the length of the floor and snuck one in between Jamieson’s legs.
Toronto grew their lead early in the fourth after Craig Small had a long rebound bounce right to him before he sunk one into an open net. After killing off a penalty for the fifth time on the night, Phil Mazzuca caught a pass from Latrell Harris in transition and he was able to beat Jamieson 1-on-1. Seconds later, Craig buried his second of the quarter to extend the Rock lead to five with just over six minutes remaining in the game. The Rock kept up the pace as Keogh found space on the left side and shot a missile over Jamieson’s shoulder to double up Albany, 12-6. Albany was unable to score in the final quarter as Toronto capped off the victory at home.
The FireWolves are back on the road next weekend against the New York Riptide before returning home for a rematch against the Rock on Saturday, March 25 at 7:00 p.m. 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.
