The Albany FireWolves (#4) were defeated by the Buffalo Bandits (#1), 10-5, at the KeyBank Center in Buffalo on Saturday evening. It was a defensive battle the whole way, with Buffalo taking the lead early in the third quarter and never looking back. Full statistics from tonight’s game can be found here: https://albanyfirewolves.com/game/1603/.
| SCORE BY QUARTER |
1 |
2 |
3 |
4 |
FINAL |
| ALBANY |
1 |
1 |
2 |
1 |
5 |
| BUFFALO |
1 |
1 |
4 |
4 |
10 |
The FireWolves controlled the game’s opening faceoff but came up empty on their first possession. After nearly 10 minutes of action, Reilly O’Connor beat Matt Vinc to get Albany on the board first. Buffalo wasted no time getting the goal back as Dhane Smith fired in his first of the night. Neither team was able to score for the remainder of the quarter as the game was tied at one goal apiece heading into the second.
Following another brief scoring drought by both sides, Joe Resetarits buried his first of the contest to regain the lead for Albany. After nearly the duration of the second quarter with no goals, Ian MacKay was able to tie the game at two with just under two minutes to go in the half. Once again, neither team scored before the end of the quarter as the game was tied at two heading into the halftime break.
On Buffalo’s first possession of the second half, Smith caught a pass over the middle and beat Doug Jamieson to give the Bandits the lead. Less than a minute later, Josh Byrne scored another for Buffalo to give them a two-goal lead early in the third period. Jacob Ruest added his name to the stat sheet as he fired a missile in over the middle to get one back for Albany. With just under seven to play in the quarter, Byrne scored his second as he beat Jamieson low on his far side. On Albany’s ensuing possession, Charlie Kitchen hit O’Connor in the middle of the floor who buried his second goal of the night. After a FireWolves penalty, Connor Fields was able to take advantage and push Buffalo’s lead to 6-4. Albany was unable to score with the final possession in the quarter as Buffalo held onto a two-goal lead.
Just over a minute into the fourth quarter, Chris Cloutier added another for Buffalo to extend the lead to three goals. After a long scoring drought, Colton Watkinson caught a pass in transition and was able to beat Vinc to cut the deficit to two with less than five minutes to play. With two and a half minutes to play, Fields scored his second of the game to push the Buffalo lead to 8-5. With the FireWolves net empty, Frank Brown added another for the Bandits with less than two minutes to go. With just a minute left, Priolo added another for Buffalo as he scored in the empty Albany net. Albany was unable to score on their final possession as the Bandits were victorious at home, 10-5, and advance to the Eastern Conference Finals.
With the loss, the FireWolves’ inaugural season comes to a close. Season tickets for the 2022-23 Albany FireWolves season are available now! Reserve your tickets in the Wolves den today for just $25! For more information 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.
