The Albany FireWolves (2-7) will face off against the Georgia Swarm (1-7) for the second weekend in a row this Saturday, March 4, at 7:00 p.m. in the Capital Region. Georgia had their way with Albany in their building last weekend, defeating the FireWolves 20-4. Albany will seek revenge this weekend before the two teams play each other one final time in Albany towards the end of the season. This weekend’s game can be watched on My4 Albany or ESPN Plus.
FireWolves Players to Watch:
Hiana Thompson is one of three Thompson brothers who will take the floor in Albany this weekend, along with Lyle and Jeremy who play for Georgia. Last weekend, Thompson chipped in two points on one goal and one assist. He also caused one turnover in the contest. Through eight games this season, Thompson has done a little bit of everything, logging 14 total points on seven goals and seven assists, and has recovered 18 loose balls. The FireWolves offense is still gelling with the new additions, and Capital Region sports fans are hoping Thompson can help expedite that, while defeating his brothers this weekend in the process.
Jackson Nishimura is seemingly everywhere when he is out on the floor. On defense last weekend, Nishimura scooped up a team-high nine loose balls and now leads the team with 52 on the year. One of the faster defenders you will see, Nishimura plays a key role in Albany’s transition attack. This year, he has five assists to his name, in large part to burning past opposing players and finding a man in transition for an easy goal. Look for Nishimura to keep being a pivotal part of the FireWolves defense and transition game and don’t be surprised to even see him put on into the back of the net himself on a runout.
Connor Kelly was one of the three FireWolves to score a goal last weekend against the Swarm. Another new piece to the Albany offense this offseason, Kelly has settled in nicely, leading the team in goals with 16 on the season. His 37 total points rank just behind Kieran McArdle for the team lead and he has continued to show why he is one of the best offensive players in the game, both indoors and out. The FireWolves offense needs to find a spark this weekend and put their four-goal performance from last weekend behind them. Look no further than Kelly who has the ability to score goals with the best of them as he is averaging two goals per game so far this year.
Opposing Players to Watch:
Lyle Thompson and Andrew Kew each showed just how dangerous this two-headed monster can be last weekend against the FireWolves. Combined, the duo racked up 22 total points on 12 goals and 10 assists. Albany had no answer for either of them and will need to figure out how to slow the forwards down in this weekend’s rematch to come away with a revenge victory. On the season, Thompson and Kew are neck-and-neck leading the Swarm in total points, goals, and assists. It was only a matter of time before these two weapons exploded and Albany must find a way to limit them this weekend.
Shayne Jackson is another guy that has proven himself as an offensive threat in this league. In last weekend’s meeting with the FireWolves, Jackson tallied five points on three goals and two assists. In fact, all of his goals came in the second quarter. He is currently third on the team in points, goals, and assists, behind only Thompson and Kew in every category. The veteran forward has proven that he can be a dangerous scoring option, recording at least 70 points in seven straight seasons. While the FireWolves must focus on Thompson and Kew all night, Albany can’t afford to lose sight of Jackson.
Brett Dobson had his best game of the season last weekend in the team’s first victory. The goalie allowed a season-low four goals and stopped 32 shots to boot. Multiple Georgia goaltenders had seen action in every game thus far on the season, but it was Dobson who got the bulk of the minutes last weekend, playing all but one minute of the game. Despite the team only having one win, Dobson boasts a GAA of just 11.88 and has a 76% save percentage. As the Swarm proved last weekend, their offense can put points on the board, so the FireWolves have to figure out how to get shots past Dobson to come out with a win on Saturday.
This will be the second of three times that Albany and Georgia face each other in the regular season. The two teams will meet again in the middle of April in the Capital Region.
Fans can secure their tickets now for Albany’s next home game on Saturday, March 4 against the Georgia Swarm! For more information regarding tickets and Indigenous Heritage 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 https://www.mvparena.com/.
