Justin Ivey, Co-Editor
Lacrosse is Awesome©
A new National Lacrosse League season has kicked off and the capitol of New York played host to a Saturday evening game on opening weekend. The Albany Firewolves (0-1) hosted the Saskatchewan Rush (1-0) in front of a raucous home crowd. Showing no hints of a sophomore slump, Albany forward Alex Simmons (3G, 4A) led the home team in a tight back and forth match, surpassing 100 career points in just his second season. In fact, the only two goal lead was held by Albany and came with 11:18 left in the third quarter. Saskatchewan was led by Zach Manns (4G, 1A) who seemed to have every important goal the Rush needed to stay in the game. After 60 minutes of play there was still no winner decided with the score tied 9-9. Courted in free agency seemingly for moments like these, Austin Shanks (2G, 2A) scored the winning goal 7:13 into the extra period, giving the Rush a season opening road win. Final Score: Saskatchewan Rush-10, Albany Firewolves-9
After losing in the NLL Finals last season, the Firewolves did not make many changes coming into the new season. They continue to rely on a stout defense in front of goaltender Doug Jamieson (43SV) and have a young energetic offense ready to score in bunches. The Rush have a similar team build in front of net minder Frank Scigliano (49SV) and both defenses flexed early. The opening goal of the game came just over nine minutes into the game, a power play score from Ethan Walker (1G, 3A) gave Albany the 1-0 lead. Saskatchewan needed the extra man for their first tally too, a man up goal from Ryan Keenan (1G, 1A) with 53 seconds remaining. At the end of the first quarter, Saskatchewan and Albany were tied 1-1.
The 2023 #1 pick Dyson Williams (1G, 1A) scored his first career goal to open the scoring in the second quarter. After being left with space dancing around a high screen, Williams launched a sidearm shot into the net just 39 seconds in, returning the lead to Albany. Manns answered the bell for the Rush, scoring his first of the game just under four minutes later. The back and forth continued for the rest of the half with both teams notching one more goal. Patrick Kaschalk (1G) found the net with 4:50 left putting Albany ahead, before Manns evened the score again with 3:09 left. At the half, Saskatchewan and Albany were tied 3-3.
The offenses picked up a little momentum in the second half and the third quarter started off with a bang for the home team. While lasting out an early penalty, Simmons sniped the far top corner just 1:41 in. Just over two minutes later, rookie Will Johansen (1G) ripped a bounce shot in transition past Scigliano and Albany led 5-3. The Rush settled in and answered with a three-goal run in the next six minutes. Shanks scored his first before Brock Haley (2G, 3A) scored two in a row in just 23 seconds. The second came on a power play opportunity, the Rush’s second man up score of the game. With 5:11 left, the Rush had flipped the script and led the Firewolves 6-5. In keeping with the trend, Albany answered before the quarter ended. With just 12 seconds remaining Simmons scored while Albany had a five on three advantage, diving across the crease and dunking in the close top corner. At the end of the third quarter, Saskatchewan and Albany were tied 9-9.
The fourth quarter was more back and forth action as neither team could find room for any sizable advantage. Manns found his hat trick goal 34 seconds in. Almost seven minutes of scoreless lacrosse followed before Simmons completed his hat trick. With 7:33 remaining, the score was still tied. Manns sniped the high stick side corner behind Jamieson in transition for his fourth goal and a Rush lead again with 4:21 left. Travis Longboat (1G, 1A) answered for Albany just 24 seconds later with Albany’s third powerplay goal of the game. With just over two minutes left, Jake Boudreau (1G) broke hard in transition and caught a great clear from Holden Garlent (2A). With 2:09 on the clock, he buried the transition goal and put the Rush ahead again. Down to the wire, and the extra attacker on, Tye Kurtz (1G, 2A) tied the game with only 12 seconds remaining. After the fourth quarter, Saskatchewan and Albany were tied 9-9.
Overtime was not sudden. Instead, both teams made great defensive stands and continued the back and forth. Big groundballs, big hits, and finally a big goal. Offseason acquisition Austin Shanks scored his lone goal of the game 7:13 seconds into overtime giving the Rush the season opening road win. Final Score: Saskatchewan Rush-10, Albany Firewolves-9.
Next Week:
The Albany Firewolves (0-1) visit the Toronto Rock (0-1) on Saturday, December 7 at 7:00 PM EST.
The Saskatchewan Rush (1-0) have a bye week.