Justin Ivey, Co-Editor
Lacrosse is Awesome©
The Albany Firewolves (6-10) travelled across the continent to play the Vancouver Warriors (9-7) Friday night at Rogers Arena for Country Night. The Warriors were able to dictate the pace of play for the majority of the night, and with Christian Del Bianco (4GA, 37SV) turning nearly everything away, they were able to bottle the Albany offense. Despite Doug Jamieson (9GA, 31SV) and the Firewolves’ defense holding Vancouver to just 10 goals, the offense could only muster four goals and very little momentum. Keegan Ball (4G, 3A) was the standout for Vancouver who have now won their fourth game in a row. In the loss Albany’s Kyle Jackson (2A) reached his 200th NLL assist. Final Score: Albany-4, Vancouver-10.
It was obvious this was going to be a low scoring game in the first quarter. The first time the ball crossed the goal line; the possible Vancouver score was overturned after a Glenn Clark challenge. Two Albany man up opportunities were unsuccessful, and it wasn’t until just past the halfway point that Dylan McIntosh (1G, 2A) scored the game opening goal for Vancouver. A major penalty on Albany opened the door for Bal to score his first of the game just about four minutes later. The Firewolves finally got on the board with a score from Tye Kurtz (1G, 1A) and 2:11 remaining. At the end of the first quarter, Vancouver led Albany 2-1.
Scoring took a while to get rolling in the second quarter as well. Bal scored his second of the game 6:01 in. Marcus Klarich (1G, 1A) followed with another Vancouver goal, this one unassisted in transition. Albany could not find the net in the second, but only allowed the two Vancouver goals, keeping the game close. At the half, Vancouver led Albany 4-1.
Ethan Walker (1G) cut into the lead within the first minute of the second half. Assisted by Dyson Williams (1G, 1A), the goal came just 35 seconds into play. Kevin Crowley () answered just over three minutes later for Vancouver, but Williams swung the favor back to Albany with his lone goal of the game coming with 4:42 left in the third. At the end of the third quarter, Vancouver led Albany 5-3.
The stifling defense of Vancouver continued in the fourth quarter. Despite two penalties, the Warriors continued to shut the door not allowing any goals on the penalty kill. Reid Bowering (1G) extended the lead to three scoring in transition on an assist from Del Bianco. Adam Charalambides (1G, 2A) stretched it to four with 9:28 left. Alex Simmons (1G) finally hit the net with 8:04 left, giving Albany a little life, but they were unable to make it a run. Bal scored his hat trick goal just over a minute and a half later. Riley Loewen (1G) scored unassisted with 4:26 left and Bal followed with his fourth goal, this one assisted by Del Bianco, 18 seconds later. Final Score: Albany-4, Vancouver-10
Up Next:
The Vancouver Warriors (9-7) travel to play the Toronto Rock (5-9) on Friday, April 11 at 8:00 PM ET.
The Albany Firewolves (6-10) host the San Diego Seals (8-7) on Saturday, April 12 at 7:00 PM ET.