The Albany FireWolves (1-0) defeated the Buffalo Bandits (0-1), 11-10, at the KeyBank Center in Buffalo, New York on Saturday evening. The Bandits struck first in the contest, but Albany’s new look offense fired back with four unanswered goals and maintained control throughout the game. Doug Jamieson remained stout in net for Albany, stopping 44 Buffalo shots on the night.
Full statistics from tonight’s game can be found here: https://albanyfirewolves.com/game/786701811/.
| SCORE BY QUARTER |
1 |
2 |
3 |
4 |
FINAL |
| ALBANY |
3 |
2 |
4 |
2 |
11 |
| BUFFALO |
1 |
3 |
3 |
3 |
10 |
Buffalo controlled the game’s opening faceoff but came up empty on their first possession as Jamieson stuffed Tehoka Nanticoke at the net. After multiple empty trips by both teams, Nanticoke opened the scoring by putting a shot just outside of Jamieson’s left leg. Minutes later following a timeout, Tanner Thomson knotted the game back at one as he sniped one into the back of the net from deep. On the ensuing possession, newly acquired forward Connor Kelly dove across the crease and went over the left shoulder of Matt Vinc to give the FireWolves their first lead of the night. Wasting no time, another new member of the FireWolves, Ethan Walker, fired one into the net to grow Albany’s early lead. Buffalo was unable to score in the final seconds of the quarter and Albany took a 3-1 lead into the second.
The Bandits won the initial faceoff of the new quarter and quickly had a good look on net, but Nanticoke was rejected once again by Jamieson. Following a delay of game penalty on Buffalo, Albany scored seconds later as Kelly notched his second of the contest. Less than a minute later, the Bandits were hit with another penalty, but were able to kill off the FireWolves power play. After a Josh Byrne shot bounced off Jamieson high into the air, Ian MacKay caught the rebound and shot on an open net to get one back for the Bandits. After multiple shot opportunities on the ensuing Bandits possession, Byrne bested Jamieson to close the gap to 4-3 halfway through the second period. About a minute later, Walker buried his second of the night to get one back for Albany. Coming out of a television timeout, Kyle Buchanan netted one after a nice feed from Buffalo’s Dhane Smith. The FireWolves came up empty with the final possession of the second quarter but carried a 5-4 lead into the halftime break.
After two scoreless minutes to open the second half, Albany was penalized with a five-minute goalie interference major as Walker crashed into Vinc. Despite being a man down, Charlie Kitchen was able to muscle his way through two defenders and find John Piatelli for a shorthanded goal – the rookie’s first of his career. With 30 seconds left on the major penalty, Albany was hit with minor, extending Buffalo’s man-up advantage for two additional minutes. Soon after, Byrne rolled one into the net for his second goal of the night. With six minutes to play in the third quarter, Hiana Thompson soared from behind the net and squeaked in his first goal with the FireWolves. Seconds later, another Albany newcomer, Kieran McArdle, fired a sidearm shot past Vinc to extend the lead to 8-5. Keeping their foot on the gas, Thomson buried a high shot for Albany’s third goal in less than two minutes. Buffalo was finally able to stop the bleeding as Nanticoke beat Jamieson for the second time in the game on a nifty shot with a minute to go in the quarter. Thirty seconds later, Chris Cloutier went airborne and scored another for the Bandits. Albany could not get a shot on net and maintained a 9-7 lead after three quarters of play.
Three minutes into the fourth, Buchanan took a shot from the deep center of the turf that bounced into the net. Buffalo then quickly tied it at nine goals apiece as Nanticoke collided with Jamieson, but only after he completed his hat trick. Nanticoke was ejected from the game for crashing into Jamieson with 11 minutes to go, giving Albany another power play opportunity. Albany was able to capitalize on the man-up advantage as McArdle scored his second goal of the contest with over a minute remaining on the power play. Back at even strength, Colton Watkinson entered his name into the score book with a transition goal that gave Albany a two-score lead with five minutes to go. After an interference infraction on Albany, Cloutier took the ball in transition and brought Buffalo back within a goal. The FireWolves were able to run out the clock securing their first win of the young season on the road in Buffalo. The FireWolves will meet the Bandits one more time this year in the regular season finale in Albany.
Next up for the FireWolves is the home-opening game versus the Rochester Knighthawks on Saturday, December 17. 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.
