The Albany FireWolves (3-14) were defeated by the Philadelphia Wings (8-9), 10-9, at the MVP Arena in Albany on Sunday afternoon. It was a low-scoring, defensive affair in which Albany held Philadelphia scoreless in two of the game’s periods. The FireWolves took the lead with just over five minutes to play in regulation, but the Wings were able to tie it late in the final quarter to force overtime.
Full statistics from tonight’s game can be found here.
| SCORE BY QUARTER |
1 |
2 |
3 |
4/OT |
FINAL |
| ALBANY |
1 |
3 |
3 |
2 |
9 |
| PHILADELPHIA |
0 |
6 |
0 |
4 |
10 |
Philadelphia won the game’s initial faceoff but came up empty on their first possession. It took nearly 12 minutes and 22 combined shots on goal for the first ball to find the back of the net, but Albany struck first as Ethan Walker came around a pick in the middle of the floor and went low on Zach Higgins. With four seconds left in the period, Jake Fox was penalized for an illegal crosscheck, giving Philadelphia a man-up advantage to start the second quarter.
The Wings were able to capitalize on the power play try as Tait Cattoni snuck one between the legs of Doug Jamieson to knot the game at one. Philadelphia quickly gained the lead as Joe Resetarits found space over the middle and went five-hole for the goal. The FireWolves wasted no time answering as Brett Manney caught an outlet pass and ran the floor before finding Fox on his left side who bounced one in. Keeping up the pace, a cutting Blaze Riorden made his way towards the crease before burying one to put the Wings back on top. On another power play opportunity, Philadelphia was able to grow their lead as Ben McIntosh was left alone on the side of the net for his first goal of the night. The FireWolves quickly got a goal back on a power play of their own as Connor Kelly found space over the middle and rifled one into the back of the net. Fresh out of the penalty box, Resetarits fired a low shot that beat Jamieson on his left side. With a minute and a half left in the quarter, Sam LeClair dove across the crease and scored the sixth goal of the night for Philadelphia. Attempting a two-for-one opportunity before halftime, Kelly launched a deep shot on net that beat Higgins for his second goal of the game. The Wings were unable to score on their final possession and took a 6-4 lead into the halftime break.
After a penalty on the Wings early in the third, Marshall Powless caught a pass behind the net before going around the goal for a dunk. Less than a minute later, the FireWolves tied the game at six as Fox brushed off a defender on his way in close for his second goal of the game. Keep the momentum, Thomas Vaesen found an opening off a screen and fired one through Higgins’ legs to give Albany the lead.
Philadelphia had another power play to start the fourth quarter and capitalized on their first possession as Mitch Jones fired a shot off Jamieson, but the ball crossed the line after bouncing in with backspin on it. After another Albany penalty, Jamieson stopped a Wings shot, but turned it over on the outlet pass before the Wings reclaimed the lead on McIntosh’s second goal of the night. With just under six minutes to go in the game, Walker scooped up a rebound in close and drilled a twister to tie the game at eight. Seconds later, John Piatelli put a shot between Higgins’ legs to give Albany a 9-8 lead. With an extra man on the floor from pulling Higgins, the Wings were able to knot the game at nine as Resetarits capped off his hat trick with just over a minute to go. Four minutes into the extra period, McIntosh completed his hat trick as he scored the game-winning goal over Jamieson’s shoulder.
The FireWolves are home again on Saturday, April 29 at 7:00 p.m. to face the Buffalo Bandits for the final game of the regular season. Albany and Buffalo met once already this season with the FireWolves coming out on top in Western New York. 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 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.
