The Albany FireWolves (5-6) defeated the San Diego Seals (6-2), 13-12, at the Pechanga Arena in San Diego, CA on Saturday evening. The victory snaps a three-game losing streak for the FireWolves, while causing a six-game winning streak for the Seals to come to a halt. Full statistics from the game can be found here: https://albanyfirewolves.com/game/1529/.
| SCORE BY QUARTER |
1 |
2 |
3 |
4 |
FINAL |
| ALBANY |
1 |
6 |
3 |
3 |
13 |
| SAN DIEGO |
1 |
7 |
2 |
2 |
12 |
San Diego began the game with the first possession and despite a good early look by Dane Dobbie, the Seals came up empty. Following a missed FireWolves shot, Cam Holding took the ball to the other end of the floor and opened the scoring for the Seals. Less than 30 seconds later, Albany’s leading scorer, Joe Resetarits, tied the game up with a high bouncing shot into the net. With six minutes to go in the opening quarter, the FireWolves were tagged with their first penalty of night as the Seals went on a power play but were unable to capitalize. Albany had the final possession of the quarter, but were unable to score, as the first period ended with the score tied at one.
Joe Nardella and the FireWolves opened the second quarter with the ball, but Jacob Ruest was denied right in front of the cage. On San Diego’s first possession, Austin Staats was able to stay strong through checking Albany defenders and found the back of the net, breaking a long scoring drought by both teams. The FireWolves quickly got the goal back as rookie Charlie Kitchen made a nice hesitation move to tie it up. Just seconds later, Zack Greer got the goal back for San Diego to regain the lead. Wasting no time, Reilly O’Connor scooped up a rebound in front of the net and buried a shot to tie the game back up. Less than a minute later, Albany tacked on another one as Ruest gave the FireWolves a 4-3 lead with just over 10 minutes to go in the half. Keeping up the pace, Resetarits fired one from the left side and added another one for FireWolves. Just 20 seconds later, Wesley Berg stopped the run and scored the fourth goal of the night for the Seals. After a nice catch off a bounce pass, Berg scored his second of the night to tie the game at five. Albany quickly took back the lead as both Ruest and Andrew Kew buried shots on the two team’s ensuing possessions. Staats soon after stopped the FireWolves run with an impressive behind the back shot, bringing the score to 7-6 with under five to play in the half. Following an Albany penalty, Berg scored his third of the night to tie the game once again. The FireWolves were quickly penalized again, and Berg notched his fourth of the half to take the one-goal lead late in the quarter. The Seals were unable to score with the final possession of the half as they took an 8-7 lead into the halftime break.
Nardella continued to dominate at the faceoff circle and gave Albany the first possession of the third quarter, but the FireWolves were unable to tie it. Just two minutes into the period, Staats completed his own hat trick with a backhanded goal in front of the net. Following San Diego’s first penalty of the contest, Ruest finalized his hat trick after a nice find and the fourth assist in the contest from Ryan Benesch. Albany was then able to tie the game back up at seven after Kew drilled his second of the night. Going on another run, Benesch buried his first of the contest, giving Albany a 10-9 lead late in the quarter. After the Seals were able to kill off a penalty, Staats notched his fourth of the contest to tie the game at 10 heading into the final quarter.
Albany retained possession after a quick Seals turnover on the defensive side of the floor, and Benesch wasted no time ripping his second goal through the back of the net. Less than a minute later, Kew completed his hat trick to extend a FireWolves run early in the fourth quarter. San Diego stopped the bleeding with a rebound goal from Tre Leclaire to get within one score. Albany quickly got the goal back as Ruest recorded his fourth of the night while diving in front of the net. After a FireWolves turnover, Jeremy Noble was able to capitalize, scoring with just under four minutes remaining. With less than a minute to play, San Diego was unable to tie the game as Albany secured possession with 30 seconds to go. Despite throwing the ball away, the FireWolves were able to hold on and come away with a 13-12 victory on the road.
The FireWolves are back home for a rematch against the Buffalo Bandits on Saturday, March 5. The game is at 7 p.m. at the MVP Arena in Albany and can be watched on ESPN+ and My4 Albany.
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.
