Justin Ivey, Co-Editor
Lacrosse is Awesome©
MVP Arena in Albany, New York hosted their largest crowd for an NLL game since the Firewolves arrived in 2021 Saturday night. The home team Albany Firewolves (5-9) donned special Marvel uniforms based on Wolverine’s classic yellow attire while hosting the Georgia Swarm (7-6). The low scoring affair finished with a flurry of action. Lyle Thompson (2G, 1A), Shayne Jackson (3G, 3A), and the rest of the Swarm did everything they could to come from behind and tied the game 10-10 with 1:51 remaining. On superhero night, the Firewolves needed a hero and in the final minute Dyson Williams (2G, 1A) answered the call. Scoring with one-minute remaining, the Firewolves would hold on for the win. Final Score: Georgia-10, Albany-11.
The Swarm struck first in front of the record crowd in Albany. Jackson found himself wide open on the crease and released the ball over Doug Jamieson’s (10GA, 44SV) shoulder. Just over 30 seconds later, Alex Simmons (1G, 3A) ignited MVP Arena when he tied the game. Ethan Walker (1G, 5A) kept the crowd going, scoring his lone goal of the game with 8:36 left in the first. Georgia tied the game just over three minutes later on a goal from Bryan Cole (2G), but the Firewolves would score twice more in the waning minutes. Nick Chaykowsky (1G, 1A) put the ball past Swarm goaltender Brett Dobson (11GA, 38SV) in transition with 4:56 left, and Sam Firth (2G) scored with a twister and only 17 seconds on the clock. At the end of the first quarter, Albany led Georgia 4-2.
The second quarter alone had 10 goals between the two teams, easily the most scoring action. Tye Kurtz (2G, 2A) started things off, scoring on a cut after getting the pass from Williams just 21 seconds into the quarter, extending the Albany lead to three. 13 seconds later though, Jackson scored with a sidearm shot in transition. The back and forth continued. Williams scored for Albany with12:35 on the clock, but again Jackson answered for Georgia. With 9:43 remaining, Patrick Kaschalk (1G, 1A) scored in transition, but Georgia’s Brendon Bomberry (1G, 2A) scored just 20 seconds later. Andrew Kew (1G, 1A) made it two in a row for the Swarm this time. After catching a pass from Lyle Thompson in the middle of the zone, he easily had the time and space to find the net. With 8:12 remaining in the half, Albany now only lead Georgia by one. Albany’s answer was their own two-goal run. Kurtz started it with a power play goal and 5:38 on the clock, and Firth scored with 1:06 remaining. Unfortunately, the newly restored three-goal lead did not make it to the half. Cole scored with two seconds remaining for the Swarm. At the half, Albany led Georgia 9-7.
After a furious second quarter, the third quarter was a heavyweight bout. The Swarm and Firewolves were each assessed three penalties, but both teams were unable to score with the man advantages. Transition opportunities that materialized in goals for the first half were thwarted by quick changes and stellar goaltending from both sides. Neither team would find the net in the third, and at the buzzer Albany still led Georgia 9-7.
Finally, 1:21 into the fourth quarter, Kyle Jackson (1G, 3A) broke the scoreless drama. His goal came on the second opportunity of the man up. Again, the defenses would clamp down in response. Scoring halted until Lyle Thompson scored unassisted, dodging his way to an open spot in the idle before twisting the ball past Jamieson with 4:20 remaining. 22 second later, after a similar dodge and shot was blocked, Lyle snagged his own rebound and in one motion, fell to the turf and twisted another ball in. With just under two minutes remaining, Dobson made a wonderful save and delivered a quick outlet to Jordan MacIntosh () who took the ball the length of the turf before releasing a missile sidearm that tied the game 10-10 with 1:51 left. A delayed penalty on the next faceoff gave Albany the opportunity to run out 30 seconds of clock before getting the ball back again. The play drawn up gave Williams an open shot from the top of the offensive zone and he delivered. The goal with one minute remaining in the game was the winner. Final Score: Georgia-10, Albany-11
Up Next:
The Albany Firewolves (5-9) host the Buffalo Bandits (10-2) on Saturday, March 22 at 7:00 PM EDT.
The Georgia Swarm (7-6) travel to play the Vancouver Warriors (6-7) on Saturday, March 22 at 10:00 PM EDT.