The Albany FireWolves (5-7) were defeated by the Buffalo Bandits (9-1), 12-11, in overtime at the MVP Arena in Albany, NY on Saturday evening. Neither team had more than a two-goal lead throughout the duration of the game, but Buffalo had the last laugh scoring on their first possession in overtime. Full statistics from the game can be found here.
The loss dropped Albany down to sixth place in the Eastern Division. Currently on the outside looking into the playoff picture, the FireWolves are tied with five victories on the season with the Philadelphia Wings and the Georgia Swarm. Both the Wings and Swarm sit ahead of Albany in the standings having played one fewer game to this point in the season.
| SCORE BY QUARTER |
1 |
2 |
3 |
4/OT |
FINAL |
| ALBANY |
4 |
3 |
1 |
3 |
11 |
| BUFFALO |
4 |
4 |
1 |
3 |
12 |
For the second straight game, Ryan Benesch led the FireWolves in scoring with 7 total points on 4 goals and 3 assists on the evening. On the season, Benesch finds himself ranked fourth in the league in total points (62), and goals (25). Joe Resetarits had another big night with 6 points in the game on 4 goals and 2 assists. Resetarits continues to lead the team with 72 total points, 31 goals, and 41 assists. Resetarits also leads the league with 72 total points and 31 goals and ranks second in the NLL with 41 assists. Charlie Kitchen turned in a productive performance, adding 3 total points on 2 goals and 1 assist. Jacob Ruest and Andrew Kew both had 2 assists on the night. Greg Downing, Reilly O’Connor, John LaFontaine, Adrian Sorichetti, and Jordan Durston each logged 1 point in the contest.
Goaltender Doug Jamieson allowed 12 goals in the loss. The goalie recorded 42 saves on 54 Buffalo shots on goal, bringing his total to a league-best 463 saves on the year. His overall save percentage on the season is .781. The Bandits took 17 more shots on goal than the FireWolves, peppering Jamieson in net all night.
Joe Nardella dominated the faceoff circle all game, going 18 for 24. On the season, Nardella has won the most total faceoffs in the league, going 211 of 293 thus far. His faceoff win-rate increased to 72 percent and continues to rank first in the league among those who have taken more than one faceoff.
Defensively, Ruest led the Wolves with 10 loose ball recoveries. Durston and Downing followed behind with 7 loose ball recoveries each. Downing also added 3 caused turnovers and 1 blocked shot to his stat line. Resetarits, Nick Chaykowsky, and Mike Byrne each scooped up 6 loose balls in the contest. Byrne also caused a team-high 4 turnovers in the game. Adam Bomberry logged 2 caused turnovers on the night, and despite only playing five games on the season, he continues to lead the team with 12 caused turnovers. Nardella added 1 caused turnover and 1 blocked shot to his line. Colton Watkinson and Jackson Nishimura each logged 1 blocked shot in the game.
Albany was 2 for 4 on power plays, getting 1 goal each from Benesch and Kitchen. On the flip side, Albany was unable to kill off any of the Bandits’ power plays, allowing a goal on 3 out of 3 man-down situations.
The FireWolves are back on the road for a rematch against the Halifax Thunderbirds on Friday, March 11. The game is at 6 p.m. at the Scotiabank Centre in Halifax and can be watched on ESPN+ and My4 Albany. Albany won the previous matchup between the two teams, 8-6, in the Capital Region back in January.
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.
