GAME RECAP: FIREWOLVES COMEBACK FALLS SHORT AGAINST SAN DIEGO

The Albany FireWolves’ (6-1) magical start to the season ended as they fell to the San Diego Seals (4-2) in their first loss of the season 14-7 at MVP Arena.  

San Diego sprang out to a 7-2 lead in the first half, but the FireWolves chipped away to cut the lead to 7-6 in the third quarter. Transition goals from Jackson Nishimura, Patrick Kaschalk, and Nick Chaykowsky helped shift the momentum and Ethan Walker paced the offense with 4 points (1g, 3a). Alex Simmons, Tye Kurtz, and Travis Longboat rounded out the scoring with 1 goal each. Penalties, unlucky bounces, and another fourth quarter scoring run by the Seals ultimately lead to Albany’s first loss of the season.  

The game started out with a slow first quarter as the teams both had power play opportunities and play was back and forth. The Seals scored the only two goals of the quarter and lead 2-0 at the end of the first.  

It was more of the same in the second quarter as San Diego made a scoring run to extend the lead to 4-0, but Nishimura responded for Albany as he streaked down the floor for a shorthanded goal making it 4-1. The FireWolves defense did their best to limit the Seals and keep them at bay. Simmons scored off of a set play out of a timeout with two seconds left in the half to cut the lead to 7-2 at halftime.  

This was the FireWolves’ biggest test of the season so far and they were able to respond despite the uphill challenge ahead of them.  

Albany goalie Doug Jamieson was replaced by his back up Justin Geddie to start the second half and Geddie played a great third quarter that helped them close the gap. Walker scored in the first minute on a rocket to the top corner to start the quarter. The FireWolves were then hit with three penalties in the third, but killed off each of them while also scoring 2 shorthanded goals from Kaschalk and Chaykowsky. Longboat added another on the power play and the FireWolves brought the game within one goal at 7-6. Geddie only allowed 1 goal in the waning seconds of the third quarter to make it a 8-6 game going into the final frame.  

In the fourth quarter, the Seals offensive pressure was too much for the FireWolves despite great play by the defense. Penalties against Albany continued to limit their chances at a comeback and the Seals offense started to click. The FireWolves undefeated run came to an end as the Seals pulled away for a 14-7 final. Justin Geddie made 28 saves in the second half. Austin Staats lead the Seals offense with 7 points (4g, 3a).  

Next up for the Albany FireWolves is a bye week before they return home to MVP Arena against the Las Vegas Desert Dogs on Saturday, February 3 at 7 pm.  

Single game tickets for the 2023-2024 FireWolves season are available now! 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.

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/