The Albany FireWolves (3-2) defeated the Halifax Thunderbirds (3-1), 8-6, at the MVP Arena in Albany, NY on Saturday Evening. For the third straight game, Albany jumped out to a quick 3-0 lead, but Halifax hung in to cut into the deficit late in the game. The FireWolves victory marks three in a row for Albany while handing the Thunderbirds their first loss of the season.
| SCORE BY QUARTER |
1 |
2 |
3 |
4 |
FINAL |
| ALBANY |
4 |
2 |
1 |
1 |
8 |
| HALIFAX |
1 |
0 |
3 |
2 |
6 |
Joe Nardella and the FireWolves won the game’s opening faceoff and nearly scored immediately, but Albany was in the crease. Quickly getting the ball back after a defensive stand, the FireWolves were able to push the ball up in transition to find an open Andrew Kew who netted the first goal of the contest. Just minutes later, the FireWolves were able to capitalize on a delayed Halifax penalty as Charlie Kitchen notched Albany’s second goal for an early 2-0 lead. The FireWolves quickly took a three-goal lead as Joe Resetarits fired from the outside and buried one in the back of the net. Wasting no time, Halifax put one on the board off the stick from Colton Armstrong. After a brief scoring drought, Halifax was penalized twice on the same possession, giving Albany a five on three advantage. Jacob Ruest quickly scored his first of the night, to give the FireWolves a 4-1 at the end of the first quarter.
Still a man up, Nick Chaykowsky scored within the first minute to open the second quarter, extending the FireWolves lead to four goals. After seven scoreless minutes, Tony Malcom was able to breakout in transition and beat the goaltender for Albany’s sixth goal midway through the quarter. Following multiple penalties on both teams, neither club could take advantage of their power play opportunities and the first half came to a close with Albany leading 6-1.
After an upbeat back and forth up and down the floor, Halifax was finally able to end a possession with a goal to open the half. Chris Boushy scored for the Thunderbirds to cut into the FireWolves lead. Following a holding penalty on Adam Bomberry, Halifax had their third power play try of the night. Despite being a man down, Albany was able to knock in a short-handed goal as Ryan Benesch fired from deep. Just as Bomberry made his way back onto the floor, Austin Shanks was able to net one for the Thunderbirds with seven minutes to go in the period, bringing the FireWolves lead to 7-3. After another scoring drought, Eric Fannell beat Doug Jamieson and added another goal to Halifax’s total. With just 23 seconds remaining in the period, Halifax was penalized with a bench penalty, giving Albany another man-up advantage as the quarter ended.
Albany quickly capitalized on the power play chance as Kitchen fired a rocket near-side low for his second goal of the night. Five minutes into the quarter, Halifax was penalized yet again, giving the FireWolves their fifth power play opportunity. The Thunderbirds killed off the penalty and were able to score soon after as Boushy netted his second of the night. With just under three minutes to go, Bomberry was hit with his second penalty of the game, giving the Thunderbirds another power play try. Just seconds later, Shanks scored his second goal of the night and cut the FireWolves lead to just two. Albany defenseman, Nick Chaykowsky, was penalized with seven seconds left, but Halifax could not score as the FireWolves won 8-6.
The FireWolves will be back in action next weekend as they take on the Georgia Swarm in a Friday and Saturday back-to-back. The first game will be in Georgia on Friday at 7:30 p.m. before both teams travel to the Capital Region for a Saturday game at 7 p.m.
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.
