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GAME RECAP: FIREWOLVES TOP RUSH IN NEW YEAR’S EVE OVERTIME THRILLER

Saskatoon, SK – Ethan Walker scored 55 seconds into overtime to give the Albany FireWolves (4-0) a 11-10 win against the Saskatchewan Rush (1-3) in a New Year’s Eve classic at the Sasktel Centre.  

It was a fitting game for New Year’s Eve as these two teams provided plenty of fireworks in front of the loud Saskatchewan crowd. Walker and Alex Simmons led the way once again for Albany as Walker finished with 3 goals and 3 assists while Simmons continued his amazing rookie campaign with 3 goals and 4 assists. Doug Jamieson and the defense were pushed to the limit by the Rush, but made the final stop in the fourth quarter to send it to overtime. Joe Nardella was dominant as he won 22 of 25 faceoffs along with scooping up 17 loose balls. Nardella also won the most important faceoff in overtime with help from Nick Chaykowsky who grabbed the loose ball. Walker scored the game winning goal on the ensuing possession. 

The FireWolves started out hot with two straight goals from Walker and Marshall Powless to go up 2-0, but the Rush responded with one on the power play and then on the next possession to tie it up 2-2. Simmons scored on a sweeping shot and then Walker followed it up with a quick stick to go up 4-2. 

The Rush and FireWolves traded goals in the second quarter and Nathan Grenon scored two to make it 6-4. Simmons quickly added another goal to make it 7-4. Travis Longboat opened the second half scoring with a rocket to expand the FireWolves lead to 8-4. Tye Kurtz continued the run with his first goal of the game to make it 9-4.  

The Rush wouldn’t go quietly and late in the third quarter started their comeback. After some back and forth play, Saskatchewan scored two goals making it 9-6. Simmons would answer with a goal to extend the FireWolves lead to 10-6. The Rush would cut it to 10-7 on a power play goal to end the third quarter.  

It was all Rush in the fourth quarter as they scored three goals to tie it up 10-10 and send it to overtime. Jamieson was clutch and made key saves in the final stanza to keep the Rush at bay and send the game to overtime. He would finish the game with 44 saves on 57 shots. The FireWolves won the overtime faceoff and Walker fired a low shot to seal the victory and keep their undefeated record going into 2024.  

The FireWolves will return home to MVP Arena on Saturday, January 6 against the Halifax Thunderbirds at 7 PM ET. The game will be available to watch on ESPN+, TSN+, and locally on MY4. 

Single game tickets for the 2023-2024 FireWolves season are available now! Join us for Country Night on January 6 at MVP Arena and experience FireWolves lacrosse. 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/ 

Albany FireWolves