GAME RECAP: JAMIESON’S 52 SAVES LEAD FIREWOLVES TO FIRST PLAYOFF WIN IN TEAM HISTORY

Albany, NY – The Albany FireWolves won their first playoff game in team history since moving to Albany in 2021 with a 9-3 win over the Halifax Thunderbirds on Sunday afternoon. It was a dominant win thanks to the incredible performance of Doug Jamieson in net, the FireWolves defense, and the offense scoring key goals. It was the loudest crowd at MVP Arena all season with the hometown fans showing up to support this team who have had a remarkable turnaround season to advance to the National Lacrosse League (NLL) Semifinals.  

The FireWolves will face the San Diego Seals in the Semifinal round in a best of 3 series that will begin in San Diego on Friday, May 3 at 10:30 ET and the FireWolves will return home to MVP Arena for Game 2 on Sunday, May 5 at 3 pm ET. 

Tickets will be available starting at 10 am tomorrow here https://albanyfirewolves.com/tickets/ticket-center/ 

Fans can call the FireWolves Ticket Center to be the first to get their tickets. Please call: 518-612-4196 

Scoring was led by Travis Longboat and John Wagner with 2 goals each and Tye Kurtz, Jackson Nishimura, Alex Simmons, and Ethan Walker with 1 goal apiece. The FireWolves also won the loose ball battle scooping up 68 to Halifax’s 60. Doug Jamieson made a playoff career high 52 saves on 55 shots. It was only the fourth time in NLL playoff history that a goalie has allowed 3 goals or less with the record being 2 goals allowed in playoff history.  

View full stats here: https://www.nll.com/game/686613536/halifax-thunderbirds-vs-albany-firewolves/2024-04-28/ 

Watch the highlights below:

The tone was set early on as both teams came out playing fast and physical lacrosse, but the defenses held strong with no goals in the first 10 minutes of the first quarter. Longboat broke open the scoring as he streaked through the middle to bury his first playoff goal to go up 1-0. There was a slew of penalties from both teams as the physicality ramped up and Halifax would tie the game with a power play goal to make it 1-1. The Thunderbirds were awarded a penalty shot after a wild sequence, but Jamieson stood tall and made the save.  

The second quarter was all FireWolves as Jamieson made jaw dropping save after jaw dropping save which opened the door for Simmons, Kurtz, and Nishimura to each score and extend Albany’s lead to 4-1.  

The third quarter was back and forth as Halifax tried to get back in the game with their season on the line, but the FireWolves continued to control the pace of play. The Thunderbirds got a quick goal 28 seconds into the quarter to close the gap to 4-2. A few minutes later Longboat got over the top and launched a rocket to the top corner to bring the lead to 5-2. Walker followed it up with a great sweep over top to make it 6-2. The Thunderbirds found an opening at the end of the quarter to bring the score to 6-3 and that would be their last goal of the game.  

Jamieson and the FireWolves defense shut the door in the final quarter as they blocked shots, made perfect double teams, and completely dominated the Halifax offense. The Thunderbirds pulled their goalie towards the end of the quarter and Albany took advantage scoring two empty net goals and Wagner added another past their goalie to give the FireWolves a dominant 9-3 win in their first ever home playoff game.  

Next up for the FireWolves is a trip to San Diego this Friday, May 3 at 10:30 pm for Game 1 of the Semifinals series and then they will return to MVP Arena in Albany for Game 2 on Sunday, May 5 on 3 pm.  

We need you at MVP Arena on Sunday, May 5 at 3 pm to cheer on the FireWolves as they continue their hunt for the NLL Cup in the NLL Semifinals!  

More info here https://albanyfirewolves.com/tickets/ticket-center/

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/