Albany Wins Overtime Thriller in Halifax, 11-10
January 13, 2023 - National Lacrosse League (NLL)
Albany FireWolves News Release
The Albany FireWolves (2-2) defeated the Halifax Thunderbirds (3-2), 11-10, at the Scotiabank Centre in Halifax on Friday evening. The game was back and forth throughout, but the FireWolves were able to tie it late in the fourth and eventually win in sudden death overtime on Kieran McArdle's fourth goal of the night.
SCORE BY QUARTER 1 2 3 4/OT FINAL
ALBANY 2 2 2 5 11
HALIFAX 2 1 3 4 10
Halifax won the game's opening faceoff, and after empty trips by both sides, Warren Hill found Colton Armstrong in transition who ran the rest of the way before beating Doug Jamieson for the first goal of the night. Following an early unsportsmanlike conduct penalty on the Thunderbirds, Tanner Thomson flipped a behind-the-back pass to a cutting Ethan Walker who finished in front of the net to tie the game at one. Halifax was quickly hit with another penalty, but the Thunderbirds were able to score shorthanded as Wake:Riat Bowhunter fired one in from deep. After penalties on both sides, Jamieson stopped a Thunderbirds shot and found Colton Watkinson in transition who took advantage of a breakaway opportunity for Albany's second goal of the contest.
Albany wasted no time taking their first lead of the night early in the second quarter as Justin Scott ripped one in from deep in the center of the floor. The Thunderbirds quickly got the goal back as Chris Boushy caught a pass just outside the crease and was able to finish. Fresh out of a television timeout, John Piatelli came around a pick a landed a rocket in the back of the net to regain the lead for Albany.
After nearly 20 minutes of game time without a goal, Jackson Nishimura ended the drought as he ran out ahead of Halifax in transition and bounced one between Hill's legs to give Albany a 5-3 lead with just under seven minutes to go in the third quarter. Albany kept the momentum as McArdle scooped up a rebound in the center of the floor and added another for the FireWolves. The Thunderbirds finally scored their first goal of the half as Austin Shanks put one between Jamieson's legs to cut the Albany lead to 6-4. Seconds later, Eric Fannell got in close and buried a shot to bring Halifax within a goal. On a delayed penalty, Fannell scored again, this time from the center of the floor, to knot the game at six.
Halifax took the lead early in the fourth quarter as Boushy completed a one-timer just outside the crease. On the following possession, the Thunderbirds notched their fifth goal in a row as Clarke Petterson fired one in from the left side. Albany was able to stop the bleeding as Tanner Thomson found some space in the deep center of the floor and sniped in his first score of the night. The Thunderbirds quickly brought it back to a two-goal lead as Fannell dove across the crease and completed his hat trick. With just under five to play, Kitchen fed a cutting McArdle who bounced one in to cut the Halifax lead to one. The Thunderbirds quickly reclaimed the two-goal lead as Armstrong took a long rebound the length of the floor and finished the play for his second of the night. McArdle stayed hot and completed a hat trick of his own after a great pass from Nishimura. With under a minute left, Albany pulled Jamieson from the net and immediately capitalized as Walker tied the game at 10. Halifax was unable to score with the final possession and the game went into overtime. In less than two minutes, McArdle called game by burying his fourth goal of the night as Albany took an 11-10 victory on the road.
The FireWolves return home to face the New York Riptide on Saturday, January 21. For more information regarding tickets, visit www.AlbanyFireWolves.com or call/text the FireWolves front office at 518-362-4900.
National Lacrosse League Stories from January 13, 2023
- Georgia Takes Its First Road Trip of the Season, Still in Search of First Win - Georgia Swarm
- Rush Head Home After an 11-10 OT Loss - Saskatchewan Rush
- Thunderbirds Lose Overtime Heartbreaker to FireWolves - Halifax Thunderbirds
- Albany Wins Overtime Thriller in Halifax, 11-10 - Albany FireWolves
- Game Notes: January 14 vs. Georgia - Buffalo Bandits
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
