The Albany FireWolves (2-8) were defeated by the Georgia Swarm (2-7), 9-8, in overtime at the MVP Arena in Albany on Saturday evening. The game was tight throughout, with neither team leading by more than two goals at any point. Albany goaltender Doug Jamieson was stout in net, recording 52 saves. The FireWolves’ penalty kill unit was strong as well, shutting down five of Georgia’s seven power play opportunities while also scoring four shorthanded goals. Georgia’s Lyle Thompson, a former University at Albany standout, scored the game-winning goal just seconds into the overtime period.
Full statistics from tonight’s game can be found here.
| SCORE BY QUARTER |
1 |
2 |
3 |
4/OT |
FINAL |
| ALBANY |
2 |
1 |
2 |
3 |
8 |
| GEORGIA |
2 |
1 |
3 |
3 |
9 |
Georgia opened the game’s scoring as former FireWolf Andrew Kew found a lane in the center of the floor and fired one off Jamieson’s pads that bounced into the net. Midway through the period, Albany equalized as newly acquired Jake Fox buried a nifty behind the back shot. Minutes later, the Swarm regained the lead as Thompson rifled one in from the center. After Albany killed off a penalty despite multiple shots by Georgia, Leo Stouros took the ball from end to end and squeezed one into the net, tying the game at two with just seconds left in the period.
The Swarm were able to capitalize on an Albany turnover early in the new quarter as Kason Tarbell took it all the way down before getting one past Jamieson. After five minutes of scoreless action, Thomas Vaesen went five-hole on Brett Dobson to knot the game at three goals apiece. Neither team scored in the remaining nine and a half minutes, as the game headed into the halftime break, tied 3-3.
In the waning seconds of an Albany major penalty, Thompson flipped a pass behind the back to Seth Oakes who scored the first goal of the second half, five minutes in. Despite another Albany penalty, the FireWolves were able to score shorthanded as Connor Kelly sniped one in from the left side. The Swarm wasted no time getting the goal back as Brendan Bomberry found space over Jamieson’s shoulder for the goal. The FireWolves were able to tie the game once again after Kelly dove into the crease and buried a power play goal. With just three seconds remaining in the third, Shayne Jackson caught a pass in transition and gave the Swarm a one-goal lead heading into the fourth.
Albany tied the game back up minutes into the final quarter despite being shorthanded again. Colton Watkinson took the ball the length of the floor, but his shot hit off the crossbar before Kelly scooped up the rebound and completed his hat trick. Shortly after, the FireWolves took their first lead of the night as Tanner Thomson fired in a missile over the left side of Dobson. Keeping the momentum, Kieran McArdle secured a high bouncing rebound and immediately shot one into the top left corner of the net, Albany’s third shorthanded goal in a row and fourth of the night. Thompson was able to stop the bleeding as he hesitated before rifling a dart past Jamieson. The Swarm then tied the game at eight as Thompson skipped a pass to Jackson who bounced one in for his second goal of the night. The game went to overtime tied at eight and Georgia took no time to end it as Thompson netted his third of the game to give the Swarm a 9-8 victory.
The FireWolves are back on the road the next two weekends before returning home to face the Toronto Rock on Saturday, March 25 at 7:00 p.m. For more information regarding tickets and Season Ticket Member Appreciation night, 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. For more information visit NLL.com.
About ASM Global
ASM Global is the world’s leading venue management and services company. The company was formed by the combination of AEG Facilities and SMG, global leaders in venue and event strategy and management. The company’s elite venue network spans five continents, with a portfolio of more than 325 of the world’s most prestigious arenas, stadiums, convention, and exhibition centers, and performing arts venues. From Aberdeen to Anchorage, and Sydney to Stockholm, its venues connect people through the unique power of live experiences. ASM Global’s diverse portfolio of clients benefit from the company’s depth of resources and unparalleled experience, expertise and creative problem solving. Each day, the company’s 61,000 passionate employees around the world deliver locally tailored solutions and cutting-edge technologies to deliver maximum results for venue owners and amazing experiences for guests. By consistently looking for new ways to envision, innovate and empower the spaces and places that bring people together, ASM Global elevates the human spirit while delivering the highest value for all stakeholders. For more information, please visit www.asmglobal.com.
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 www.mvparena.com.
