Justin Ivey, Co-Editor
Lacrosse is Awesome©
The Albany Firewolves (4-9) travelled to the Wells Fargo Center to play the Philadelphia Wings (5-7) on Saturday night. Recent additions to both clubs had a major impact on the game. Kyle Jackson (3G, 2A) joined the Firewolves by trade this week and Mitch de Snoo (2G) was recently acquired by the Wings. Both veterans seemingly fit seamlessly into their new clubs. In the second low scoring game of the season for these two clubs, the Firewolves were led in points by Alex Simmons (4G, 3A), but in energy by face-off wizard Joe Nardella (1G, 1A). Nardella won his 1,000th NLL faceoff during the contest and went 20-26 on the night from the dot. With the face-off advantage, a stingy defensive line, and another magical night from Doug Jamieson (10GA, 37SA), the Albany Firewolves emerged victorious. Joe Resetarits (1G, 5A) led the Wings in points, while de Snoo and Sam Leclair (2G) were their only multiple goal scorers. Final Score: Albany-12, Philadelphia-10.
Simmons notched the opening goal of the game, a side arm bounce shot from outside to beat Nick Damude (10GA, 48SV). The Wings answered with three straight goals, all from right in front of the crease. Mike McCannell (1G) evened the score with 8:46 remaining. Chris Corbeil (1G) gave the lead to the home team just 39 seconds later, and after a lengthy pause of scoring, LeClair notched his first with 2:28 remaining, giving the Wings a 3-1 lead. Fighting the clock and a confident Wings home crowd, Albany fought back to tie the game before the quarter ended. Simmons scored after gathering a Tye Kurtz (5A) rebound with 1:24 on the clock and Sam Firth (1G, 2A) had the tying goal with three seconds left. At the end of the first quarter, Albany and Philadelphia were tied 3-3.
Jackson scored his first goal in a Firewolves uniform to open the scoring in the second quarter, but it didn’t happen until there was 6:09 left. Travis Longboat (1G) wasted no time doubling up the lead, scoring 21 seconds later. The Philadelphia defense regathered, and it was their newcomer de Snoo who halted the Albany four goal run. After scooping the ball in the defensive end, de Snoo ran it the length of the floor for the score. Ethan Walker (1G, 2A) got the goal back for Albany, scoring on a power play opportunity with 3:28 remaining. At the half, Albany led Philadelphia 6-4.
Jackson started the scoring in the third quarter as well, but it did not take nearly as long. Just 1:51 in, Firth assisted the score that gave Albany their largest lead of the game at three goals. Leclair notched his second of the game, keeping the Wings within striking distance, just over a minute later before scoring took an almost five-minute pause. Phil Caputo (1G, 1A) broke the scoreless minutes and brought the Wings back within one goal of Albany with 7:26 left. Jamieson made some big stops in net to halt the run and eventually Simmons scored with 3:06 left to provide a little padding to the lead. At the end of the third quarter, Albany led Philadelphia 8-6.
The final quarter came with plenty of drama. Simmons used a delayed penalty on the Wings to find space to score within the quarter’s first minute. Almost seven minutes of scoreless lacrosse followed before Jackson scored his hat trick goal, stretching the lead to four goals with 7:47 on the clock. Blaze Riorden (1G, 1A) stopped the Albany run with a power play marker for Philadelphia 40 seconds later. It was five minutes before they took another chip at the lead, a Mitch Jones (1G, 4A) goal with 2:06 left on the clock. Philadelphia had a chance, but Nardella won the ensuing faceoff and he actually was assisted on an empty net goal by Mike Byrne (1A) 23 seconds after. 30 seconds after that goal, Resetarits scored and de Snoo scored his second of the game 32 seconds later. With 41 seconds remaining in the game, Albany now held just a one goal lead. Nick Chaykowsky (1G) was the next benefactor of the Philadelphia empty net, scoring with just 15 seconds remaining. Final Score: Albany-12, Philadelphia-10.
Up Next:
The Philadelphia Wings (5-7) host the Colorado Mammoth (7-5) on Saturday, March 15 at 1:00 PM EDT.
The Albany Firewolves (4-9) host the Georgia Swarm (7-5) on Saturday, March 15 at 7:00 PM EDT.