The Albany FireWolves (3-13) are home again this Sunday, April 23, at 3:00 p.m. against the Philadelphia Wings (7-9). The two teams met in early February with Philadelphia coming out on top in a low-scoring affair, 13-5. The Wings are currently on the outside looking in for a playoff spot as they are a game behind Georgia and Halifax, and a loss to Albany this weekend would eliminate them from contention. This weekend’s game can be watched on My4 Albany or ESPN Plus.
FireWolves Players to Watch:
Marshall Powless is rising star in this league and is just getting going with his new team. Since trading for him, Powless has appeared in five games for the FireWolves and has racked up 23 total points on six goals and 17 assists. Further, he has yet to score fewer than four points in any game with Albany this season. Powless was not on the team when Albany met Philadelphia earlier this season, but the team sure could have used him, only posting five goals in the previous matchup. Powless is a young forward that the team can build around and is a player that Capitol Region fans can look forward to watching for years to come.
Speaking of rising stars, John Piatelli has become one of Albany’s primary scorers and works on the opposite side of Powless. Another guy who has been hot lately, Piatelli has scored multiple points in each of the team’s last five games and has at least three points in four of those outings. Last weekend, the rookie scored two goals and an assist, contributing three total points despite the team only scoring six times. Powless and Piatelli will be a force as they continue to gel together and could give Philadelphia fits in this one.
Jonah Boehm was thrown into action last weekend in his first game of the season. Searching for answers at faceoffs, the FireWolves brought in Boehm to do just that. Last time out against the Wings, Philadelphia won all 22 faceoffs in the game. Needless to say, that can’t happen again. Last weekend against the Swarm, he was 11-25 from the dot – a much needed improvement for the club. He has plenty of box experience having spent a few years with the Kitchener-Waterloo Braves in the Ontario Junior A Lacrosse League. If Boehm can win some faceoffs against one of the best in the world, it will go along way to helping the defense and Doug Jamieson see less volume and scoring opportunities from the Wings.
Opposing Players to Watch:
Joe Resetarits should be a familiar name for FireWolves fans after leading the team in points a season ago. He is doing it again this year for his new team as he sits at 97 total points and is looking to eclipse the century mark for the third time in his career. His 97 points, 36 goals and 61 assists all lead the Wings. He showed out against his former team when the two clubs last met, going for eight total points on four goals and four assists. While the Wings have a host of players who can score on any possession, Resetarits has proved to be one of the best in the business. Albany needs to home in on him and limit his opportunities or else he can put up points in a hurry for Philadelphia.
Mitch Jones was acquired by the Wings at the end of January to score and so far, he’s yet to disappoint. He was Vancouver’s leading scorer at the time of the trade and currently ranks second on the Wings with 75 total points in just 10 games since joining the team. Unfortunately for Albany, Jones was acquired the week of their first matchup with Philadelphia. In his debut game for the Wings, Jones posted six total points on two goals and four assists. He has played in 17 games on the season between Vancouver and Philadelphia and ranks fourth in the league with 110 total points and third with 70 assists. With Jones and Resetarits on the right and left side of the floor, opposing defenses are left picking their poison on nearly every possession.
Trevor Baptiste won every, yes, every, faceoff the last time the Wings and FireWolves met. Granted, Albany unfortunately lost one of the best in the world at the faceoff dot early in the season due to injury, but Baptiste is no slouch. In fact, Baptiste ranks second in the league in faceoff wins (287) and faceoff percentage (70%). Since losing Joe Nardella to injury, Albany has tried a multitude of options when it comes to winning faceoffs. Newly acquired Boehm will have his hands full in his second game with the FireWolves this weekend, going up against one of the best in the game. Any faceoff wins Boehm can provide will be an improvement over the last game and will take some pressure off the FireWolves defense.
Fans can secure their tickets now for Albany’s next home game on Sunday, April 23 against the Wings! For more information regarding tickets and Family 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/.
