GAME RECAP: FIREWOLVES RALLY AGAINST THUNDERBIRDS TO ADVANCE TO 5-0

Albany, NY – The Albany FireWolves (5-0) weathered the storm against the Halifax Thunderbirds (2-2) in a back-and-forth game at MVP Arena and came out with a 12-10 win to remain undefeated.  

No matter what is thrown at them so far this season, the FireWolves have found a way to outwork their opponents and simply find a way to win.  

The two teams felt each other out through the 1st and 2nd Quarters until a 4-goal run by Albany blew the game open. Throughout the game goalie Doug Jamieson was the difference with a season high of 45 saves and his steady performance kept the game close as Halifax tried to pull ahead. Timely goals from Sam Firth (2 goals) and Alex Simmons (2 goals and 3 assists) let the FireWolves jump ahead in the second half and Nick Chaykowsky’s empty net goal sealed the win.  

The game began with Halifax scoring two quick goals on low shots, but Ethan Walker responded as he swam his defender and buried to make it 2-1. The 1st Quarter ended with a goal from each team and Halifax would lead 3-2.  

Jamieson was busy early on as he was peppered with shot after shot and would end up facing 55 shots during the game. Travis Longboat started the 2nd Quarter scoring making it 3-3 and Halifax would follow up to retake the lead 4-3. With 6 minutes left in the 2nd Quarter the FireWolves staged a furious run with three goals in a row in transition with 2 goals from Patrick Kaschalk and 1 from Joe Nardella. Longboat followed it up with another to bring the lead to 7-4. Halifax would put a goal in to close the score to 7-5 to end the half.  

The 3rd Quarter saw the Thunderbirds outscore Albany 3-1, and the score was evened up at 8-8. Halifax added two more goals to start the 4th Quarter making it 10-8, but the tide would turn for the FireWolves as their hard work was rewarded in crunch time.  

A few penalties led to a 5 on 3 situation for the FireWolves and Simmons scored his first of the game to close the score to 10-9. A few minutes later, Simmons swept across the top shooting a rocket that tied it at 10-10. After more saves from Jamieson and the defense, Simmons made a great pass to Firth who streaked across the crease for a finish that would be the game winning goal and make it 11-10.  

With 30 seconds left Halifax, took a timeout to set up a last ditch play. Chaykowsky intercepted a pass that left him all alone streaking down the floor to score the empty net goal that brought the MVP Arena to its feet. The FireWolves won 12-10 and sit atop the National Lacrosse League at 5-0.  

The Albany FireWolves will return to action on the road next weekend against the Georgia Swarm on Saturday, January 13 at 7:30 pm ET.  Game can be watched on ESPN+, TSN+, and locally on MY4.