FIREWOLVES FALL IN OVERTIME TO RUSH: GAME RECAP PRESENTED BY BROTHERS GUTTERS

ALBANY, NY – The Albany FireWolves (0-1) started off the 2024-2025 National Lacrosse League (NLL) season with a dramatic overtime game that ultimately saw them fall 10-9 to the Saskatchewan Rush (1-0) at MVP Arena.  

It was a thrilling back and forth game that saw the teams trade goals, hits, and exciting plays in front of a loud and energetic Albany home crowd.  

Alex Simmons led the way for the FireWolves with 7 points (3g, 4a) in a performance that helped Albany stay in the game. Ethan Walker added 4 points (1g, 3), Tye Kurtz finished with 3 points (1g, 2a), Dyson Williams had 2 points (1g, 1a), Travis Longboat chipped in with 2 points (1g, 1a) and Patrick Kaschalk and Will Johansen each scored 1 goal. Doug Jamieson made 43 saves on 53 shots and was crucial to keeping the game close throughout the night.  

View full stats here: Game 1 Stats

Watch highlights below:

The game started off with plenty of close opportunities and it wasn’t until nine minutes in that Ethan Walker found the back of the net on the power play to make it 1-0. The Rush would answer back a few minutes later on a power play of their own to tie it 1-1.  

In the second quarter, both teams traded goals as the pace picked up. Rookie Dyson Williams scored the first goal of his NLL career on a step-down shot to make it 2-1. It was then back and forth as the Rush tied it, Patrick Kaschalk scored in transition, and then the Rush would tie it again to end the first half 3-3.  

Alex Simmons opened the third quarter with a power play goal to go up 4-3 and then Will Johansen would score his first career NLL goal on a breakaway goal to extend the lead to 5-3. Saskatchewan would go on a run of their own with a three-goal spurt that saw them take their first lead of the game at 6-5. With 12 seconds left in the quarter, Simmons would find space to bring it back to a tie 6-6.  

The final quarter saw the FireWolves and Rush trade blow after blow in a wild finish. Saskatchewan scored a shorthanded goal to begin the quarter and would retain the lead until Simmons scored his third goal of the game on a diving shot making it 7-7. The Rush would answer soon after, but Travis Longboat would tie it up again making it 8-8. With under three minutes to go the Rush scored a back breaking goal in transition to bring it to 9-8 with limited time remaining. However, Tye Kurtz would pull off a spin around finish that tied the game 9-9 with only 12 seconds left in the game. The game would have to be decided in overtime.  

The battles continued throughout overtime with big saves, loose balls, and close chances to end the game. Several FireWolves had great scoring opportunities, but the Rush defense was able to hold strong. Saskatchewan scored the game winner seven minutes into overtime to win 10-9 and end an Albany home opener to remember.  

Next up for the FireWolves is a trip up north to face the Toronto Rock on Saturday, December 7 at 7 PM at the Paramount Fine Foods Centre in Mississauga, ON. The game will be available to watch on ESPN+, TSN+, NLL+, and locally on MY4. The FireWolves will return to MVP Arena for their next home game on Saturday, December 14 at 7 PM. The game will be Happy Howlidays themed and will feature a teddy bear toss. 

Season tickets for the FireWolves 2024-25 season are available now! 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 14 franchises across the United States and Canada: Albany FireWolves, Buffalo Bandits, Calgary Roughnecks, Colorado Mammoth, Georgia Swarm, Halifax Thunderbirds, Las Vegas Desert Dogs, Ottawa Black Bears, 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. 

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 AFL 1 Arena Football League and the Division I Men’s College Basketball Siena Saints. For more information, please visit https://www.mvparena.com/