Justin Ivey, Co-Editor
Lacrosse is Awesome©
Feature Image Photo Credit: Trevor MacMillan
The Albany Firewolves (1-3) travelled to play the Halifax Thunderbirds (1-3) Saturday night. Albany, coming off a tough overtime loss to Dane Dobbie and the Calgary Roughnecks, started the road game with momentum and tenacity. The Firewolves were led by Alex Simmons (2G, 2A) and Ethan Walker (3G, 1A) and started the game scoring the first five goals. Despite not scoring until 7:25 into the second quarter and facing a 9-3 deficit with 5:58 left in the third quarter, Halifax willed their way to their first victory of the season with standout performances from Clarke Petterson (3G, 4A) and Randy Staats (1G, 6A). Netminder Drew Hutchinson (12SV) got the win, not allowing another Firewolves goal after coming in for Warren Hill (9GA,28SV) in the third quarter. Final Score: Albany-9, Halifax-13.
Albany owned the first quarter on the road, not allowing a Halifax goal and really keeping their offense from getting consistent good looks. Meanwhile, the offense spread three goals throughout the quarter. Walker opened the scoring just 1:34 into the game. Dyson Williams (1G, 2A) scored after gathering a juicy high rebound right in front of the crease with 7:35 remaining and Simmons buried his first of the game with 4:14 left. At the end of the first quarter, Albany led Halifax 3-0.
The Albany run continued in the second quarter but took some time to get going. The Halifax defense stood tall for 5:03 until Simmons scored his second in a row, this time on a power play opportunity. Just to drive it home that everything was bouncing Albany’s way, Walker gathered a long high rebound that no one else, including Hill in goal, could find. With 9:01 left in the half he easily rolled that ball into the net for a 5-0 Albany lead. Halifax finally broke the drought with 7:35 left and rode the momentum until the end of the half. Staats was the first assist for goals from Cole Kirst (1G), Thomas Hoggarth (2G, 2A) and Petterson before the end of the half. The Thunderbirds had answered the five goal Firewolves run and got back in the game before the half ended. At the half, Albany led Halifax 5-3.
The Firewolves snatched back the momentum to start the third quarter. Will Johansen (1G, 1A) scored in transition 4:23 in, and Joe Nardella (1G) buried a goal 10 seconds after winning the next faceoff. Patrick Kaschalk (1G) struck next with a transition goal of his own before Walker scored his hat trick goal on a powerplay. With 5:58 remaining in the third, Albany led Halifax 9-3. Looking for a spark, Hutchinson replaced Hill in front of the goal, and it worked. Hutchinson assisted on the next goal, a transition marker from Colton Armstrong (1G) with 5:15 left. Over the final minutes of the quarter, Halifax used grit and determination to come back and tie the game. Jason Knox (1G, 3A) scored with 3:14 left. Dawson Theede (2G, 1A) scored two goals sandwiched around Petterson’s second of the game before Hoggarth made the score 9-9 with 1:07 left. Albany was unable to find any offensive openings around Hutchinson.
With the opening quarter script completely flipped, Halifax finished the game not allowing an Albany goal in the fourth quarter and scored four of their own. Staats, already with six assists, finally got a goal 53 seconds in. Petterson was next to find the net with 6:19 remaining. Trevor Smyth (1G) and Ryan Terefenko (1G) added to the scoring column in the final minutes. For the second week in a row, Albany lost in heartbreaking fashion while Halifax found their first win of the season. Final Score: Albany-9, Halifax-13
Up Next:
The Albany Firewolves (1-3) host the Las Vegas Desert Dogs (0-4) on Saturday, January 4 at 7:00 PM EST.
The Halifax Thunderbirds (1-3) have a bye week before facing the Rochester Knighthawks on Saturday, January 11 at 7:00 PM EST.