Justin Ivey, Co-Editor
Lacrosse is Awesome©
The #3 Albany Firewolves hosted the #6 Halifax Thunderbirds Sunday afternoon in a single elimination first round NLL Playoff game. Halifax came in having lost in the first round each of the previous two years, while Doug Jamieson and the Firewolves were still looking for their first playoff win. The fans at MVP Arena were in for a long night as the game stayed close throughout. Rather than a display of offensive firepower, this game was heavy on defense. In fact, there were more penalties than goals by the time the final horn sounded. On the back of Doug Jamieson (52SV) and a tenacious defense, the Firewolves move on to the second round of the NLL Playoffs. Final Score: Halifax-3, Albany-9.
The first goal of the game did not come until late in the first quarter. Before that though, there were six penalties assessed (three on each team) and an unsuccessful penalty shot by Halifax in the first two thirds of the quarter. The tone was clearly set from the beginning that no goal was going to be easy. Travis Longboat (2G) broke the scoreless tie with a goal from the middle of the offensive zone and 5:09 remaining in the first quarter. Clarke Petterson (2G, 1A) scored on a power play opportunity with 2:04 left to even the score after one quarter. At the end of the first quarter, Halifa and Albany were tied 1-1.
The second quarter was all Firewolves. Halifax could not find a way through the Albany defense. Alex Simmons (1G, 1A) scored just 3:31 into the quarter unassisted. He held the ball while the offense came onto the turf, but once it was set, he curled around a couple high screens and put the ball past Warren Hill (47SV) on the run. Ty Kurtz (1G, 2A) extended the lead to 3-1 scoring in transition 1:34 after. On their next possession, Jackson Nishimura (1G, 1A) scored in transition to continue the onslaught. But the Halifax defense clamped down for the rest of the half, despite the offense not finding a single opening. At the half, Albany led Halifax 4-1.
Austin Shanks (1G, 1A) provided a spark of light early in the third quarter for the visitors. Just 28 seconds in, he one-timed a beautiful pass from Ryan Benesch (1A) into the net from the side of the crease. The goal did not spark a run though. Longboat answered for Albany with his second of the night just over four minutes later. Keeping in theme for the night, scoring paused for nearly six minutes after until Ethan Walker (1G) scored on a Simmons assist with 5:54 remining. Petterson notched his second of the night with 17 seconds remaining to get Halifax back within three. At the end of the third quarter, Albany led Halifax 6-3.
The fourth quarter continued the defensive chess match. Halifax tried all sorts of looks but could not score. With just over two minutes remaining and looking for that extra push, Halifax pulled the goalie in favor of an extra attacker. Colton Watkinson (1G) found the opening down the floor for an empty netter with 2:11 left. John Wagner (2G, 1A) scored twice in the last 75 seconds, one on an empty net and one with Hill back between the pipes, to bring us to the final. Final Score: Halifax-3, Albany-9.
Up Next: The #3 Albany Firewolves travel to play the #2 San Diego Seals on Friday May 3 at 10:30 PM EDT for Game 1.