The Albany FireWolves (2-4) were defeated by the Philadelphia Wings (3-4), 13-5, at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia on Saturday evening. Despite the loss on the road, two FireWolves players reached career milestones. Goaltender Doug Jamieson surpassed 2,000 career saves and Greg Downing collected his 1,000th loose ball while playing in his 200th career game.
Full statistics from tonight’s game can be found here: https://albanyfirewolves.com/game/803351824/.
| SCORE BY QUARTER |
1 |
2 |
3 |
4 |
FINAL |
| ALBANY |
1 |
0 |
0 |
4 |
5 |
| PHILADELPHIA |
3 |
4 |
2 |
4 |
13 |
Philadelphia took the game’s opening faceoff, but both teams had empty possessions to start. Despite an early Wings penalty, Albany was unable to capitalize on the man advantage as the game remained scoreless five minutes in. After nearly half of the first period without a goal, Joe Resetarits found Ben McIntosh coming around a pick who then opened the scoring as he bounced one in for the Wings. Wasting no time answering, a cutting Connor Kelly was found by Kieran McArdle to tie the game at one. With five minutes to play in the period, Albany was guilty of their first penalty. Just seconds later, Blaze Riorden scooped a rebound up in front of the net and beat Jamieson to regain the lead for the Wings. On the ensuing Philadelphia possession, Albany was tacked with another penalty. After numerous shots on net, Jamieson remained stout as the FireWolves killed off the penalty. With just seconds to go in the quarter, Resetarits found space on the left side and buried one low to give the Wings a 3-1 lead.
Philadelphia kept the momentum early in the second half as newly acquired Wing Mitch Jones collected his own rebound and scored from just outside the crease. Coming out of the bench, Resetarits was hit in stride before rifling in his second of the night. After an Albany defensive stop, Mitch Jones intercepted the outlet pass and found Resetarits across the turf who completed his hat trick to put the Wings up 6-1 halfway through the second. Philadelphia kept their foot on the pedal as Sam LeClair fired one past Jamieson from deep to extend their lead with under two minutes to play in the half. With an empty net, the FireWolves were unable to score, as the Wings took a 7-1 lead into the halftime break.
Minutes into the second half, the FireWolves were penalized for holding and the Wings took no time to capitalize as Jones buried one from the center of the floor. With under five to play in the quarter, Riorden scooped up his own rebound and drilled a second chance effort, his second goal of the game. Albany once again had the final shot of the quarter, but were unable to score, with Philadelphia in front 9-1 after three quarters of play.
The Wings broke into double digits as LeClair beat Jamieson just over a minute into the fourth. Philadelphia made it 10 unanswered goals as Matt Rambo tossed a pass across the floor to McIntosh who notched his second of the night. Albany finally broke the drought as Colton Watkinson not only blocked a pass, but scooped the ball up and ran the length of the floor for a short-handed goal in transition. Still a man down, John LaFontaine went low on Higgins to cut the deficit to eight. Philadelphia quickly got one back as Resetarits buried his fourth of the night on the Wings power play. The lead quickly grew back to 10 as Rambo hesitated and fired one in from deep. Albany turned the Wings over and swiftly scored as LaFontaine rifled one over Higgins’ left shoulder. After a Wings penalty, Kelly took a shot that was deflected off a Wings defender into the net, his second goal of the game. Philadelphia won the game’s final faceoff and were able to run out the clock and cap off their first home win of the season, 13-5.
The FireWolves will be on the road again next weekend for a rematch against the New York Riptide before returning home on Saturday, February 18 to take on the Las Vegas Desert Dogs. 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. 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.
