Albany, NY – In the only National Lacrosse League (NLL) game of the night, the Albany FireWolves (7-2) came out on top 13-11 against the Colorado Mammoth (3-7) in a thrilling back and forth game at MVP Arena. After a two game losing skid, the FireWolves are back in the win column and sit atop the NLL standings with a record of 7-2. Â
Doug Jamieson returned after missing the FireWolves previous game and was fantastic in net with 50 saves on 61 shots. Tye Kurtz paced the FireWolves with 7 points (3g, 4a) while Alex Simmons had a team high 4 goals. The FireWolves scoring was rounded out by Travis Longboat 5 points (1g, 4a), Ethan Walker 5 points (3g, 2a), Sam Firth 3 points (1g, 2a), and Marshall Powless 2 points (1g, 1a). Â
This game was crucial for both teams at the midway point of the season and a win would bring them much needed momentum as the playoff picture begins to become clearer. Â
The FireWolves started out hot in the first quarter with two straight goals by Simmons and then Kurtz. The Mammoth responded with two quick goals of their own to tie the game 2-2 until Walker scored his first of the game to give Albany a 3-2 lead. Â
The second quarter saw more of this back and forth play from both teams as the FireWolves added two more goals by Kurtz and Simmons to stretch their lead to 5-2. It felt like Albany was taking control, but Colorado would show their resilience all game long. The two teams traded goals and the Mammoth went on a three-goal run to bring the score to 6-5 as the FireWolves held on to the lead going into halftime. Â
This rollercoaster ride of a game continued in the second half with a flurry of scoring. Colorado scored first, but Longboat responded immediately with a great shot. The Mammoth then potted two goals in a row to take their first lead of the game 8-7 as they pushed transition and found seams in the Albany defense. Simmons found space in the dying seconds of the quarter and fired home a shot to tie the game at 8-8 going into the fourth quarter. Â
The crowd was treated to an exciting finish in the fourth quarter with the teams going blow for blow. The FireWolves came up with clutch goal after clutch goal with Firth, Simmons, and Kurtz finding their groove and finishing on Colorado goalie Dillon Ward. In the final six minutes the game was tied at 11-11 and it would be Marshall Powless streaking down the middle and firing home a one-handed shot that brought the crowd to their feet as that would end up being the game winning goal. Walker would add one more goal and the defense would shut down the Mammoth offense in the last minute to seal the FireWolves seventh win of the season 13-11. Â
The FireWolves return to action on Saturday, February 24 at 7:30 pm on the road in Buffalo as they will go into Banditland and look to complete the season sweep against their New York state rivals. Â
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.Â
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 Firebirds of the Arena Football League and the Division I Men’s College Basketball Siena Saints. For more information, please visit https://www.mvparena.com/