The Albany FireWolves (2-5) were defeated by the New York Riptide (2-6), 14-12, at the Nassau Coliseum on Saturday evening. The Riptide went up 12-4 midway through the third quarter, but the FireWolves clawed their way back in, scoring seven unanswered goals and nearly completed the comeback. Newly acquired Zac Tucci gave Albany a boost from the faceoff dot, as the team won 12 of 30 attempts.
Full statistics from tonight’s game can be found here: https://albanyfirewolves.com/game/803356963/.
| SCORE BY QUARTER |
1 |
2 |
3 |
4 |
FINAL |
| ALBANY |
2 |
1 |
3 |
6 |
12 |
| NEW YORK |
4 |
3 |
5 |
2 |
14 |
After both teams came up empty on each of their first possessions, the Riptide struck first as Jeff Teat made his way into the center of the floor and bounced one between Doug Jamieson’s legs. Albany was quickly able to tie it up as Kieran McArdle found Ethan Walker on a slip who did the rest from just outside the crease. Halfway through the first period, the Riptide got out in transition and Matt Marinier netted his first goal of the season to regain the lead for New York. Out of a television timeout, Dan Lomas found some space on a pick and roll and buried one to put the Riptide up two. Wasting no time getting the goal back, Walker rifled in his second of the night from deep on the right side. On the next New York possession, Lomas made a move to the center and fired one off the pipe that found the back of the net.
Following four minutes of scoreless action to start the second period, Teat ran from right to left and notched his second goal of the contest, giving the Riptide a 5-2 lead. Teat completed his hat trick the next time the ball was in his stick as he came around a pick and had an opening in the center of the floor. Despite the Riptide being tacked with a five-minute major penalty, they were the ones to score as Teat beat Jamieson for the fourth time in the half. The FireWolves were finally able to stop the bleeding as McArdle went low on Steve Orleman. Albany had a six-on-four opportunity in the waning seconds of the quarter, but were unable to score, as the Riptide took a 7-3 lead into halftime.
Albany began the third period with just under a minute remaining on the major penalty, but were unable to capitalize after taking the first faceoff. Just as the Riptide player was running out of the penalty box, Larson Sundown buried a twister right in front of the net to add to the New York lead. On the ensuing possession, Lomas completed his hat trick as he went low from the right side. Albany subbed in Justin Geddie for Jamieson in net following New York’s ninth goal of the night. The Riptide quickly reached double digits as Connor Kearnan beat Geddie one-on-one. After a slashing penalty on Albany, New York wasted no time capitalizing as Jack Kelly netted his first career NLL goal. Less than a minute later, New York was penalized for an illegal substitution. Following a defensive stand, Brett Manney was able to lob one to Colton Watkinson who finished in transition to cut the deficit to seven. Both teams were hit with penalties, and while playing four-on-four, Teat connected for the fifth time as he rifled one past Geddie. McArdle was able to answer as he stopped on a dime and painted the far pipe. Just seconds later, Nick Chaykowsky found the back of the net after scooping the ball up from the faceoff dot. The remaining six minutes of the third period were scoreless as New York doubled up Albany, 12-6, entering the final quarter.
The FireWolves scored the first goal of the fourth quarter as Tanner Thomson dove across the crease and found space to beat Orleman. The Riptide were then hit with two minor penalties, giving Albany a five-on-three opportunity with just over 10 minutes to play. Albany scored their fourth goal in a row as Walker found Kelly in close. Keeping the momentum, Thomson dashed across the center of the floor and buried a pretty behind the back shot, as the Riptide lead dwindled to 12-9 with eight minutes remaining. On the following possession, Kelly had his stick hit as he was shooting, but the ball managed to bounce into the net as Albany scored their sixth in a row. The FireWolves continued their run as Kelly capped off his hat trick as the team broke out in transition, cutting the Riptide lead to just one with three minutes left in the game. New York finally ended their drought, as a cutting Teat was able to execute in front of the net. Teat quickly got another one back for the Riptide as he fired one in from deep, his seventh goal of the game. With 50 seconds left, Walker completed his hat trick on a one-timer from Thomson, cutting the deficit to two. Despite a defensive stand with an empty net, Albany was unable to score on their final possession, and the Riptide held on to win, 14-12.
The FireWolves return home next weekend for a matchup against the Las Vegas Desert Dogs. For more information regarding tickets and Box Out Cancer 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.
