Eight Different FireWolves Score in Win over Halifax: By the Numbers
Published on January 9, 2024 under National Lacrosse League (NLL)
Oshawa FireWolves News Release
Albany, NY - What does it take to start the National Lacrosse League season 5-0? The Albany FireWolves have shown that it takes balanced scoring, star players seizing the moment, and a young team playing like veterans to be able to rise above any challenge opponents have thrown at them. Let's look at some of the key numbers that led to the FireWolves fifth win of the season against the Halifax Thunderbirds this past weekend at MVP Arena.
8 Different Goal Scorers
The win against the Thunderbirds was a true team effort and the scoring came from both the FireWolves' offense and defense. Eight different FireWolves scored as Alex Simmons, Travis Longboat, Patrick Kaschalk, and Sam Firth each had 2 goals while Nathan Grenon, Ethan Walker, Joe Nardella, and Nick Chaykowsky notched 1 goal apiece. The usual suspects on offense showed up when they were needed most, but the transition goals from defensemen Kaschalk and Nardella were part of a 3 goal run that electrified the crowd in the span of 1 minute and 1 second. Having such great scoring depth has been crucial in every win and will allow the FireWolves to never be out of the fight going forward.
32 Points From Alex Simmons Leads The NLL
Through five games, Alex Simmons is leading the NLL in points and is the lone rookie in the Top 10 of scoring. Halifax knew that they had to keep the rookie sensation in check if they were going to have a chance to beat the FireWolves, and they did a good job of limiting his scoring for most of the game. It wasn't until the 4th Quarter that Simmons found the back of the net on a 5 on 3 Power Play opportunity, which he followed up with another goal two minutes later and then an assist on a Sam Firth goal to end the game with 5 points. Simmons is averaging 6.4 Points Per Game and is looking like a shoe in for Rookie of the Year. Could he be the front runner for MVP as well?
4 Goal Run To End The Game
In the 4th Quarter, Halifax took a 10-8 lead with 2 quick goals to start the quarter. Then it was all FireWolves as they began their final push. Simmons got it started with 2 goals on an inside finish and then a long range shot as he swept across the top. Then Simmons would feed Firth who got open off a great back cut to bury what would be the game winning goal. In a last ditch effort, Halifax pulled their goalie for a 6-5 situation, but Chaykowsky picked off a pass and streaked down the floor to score on the empty net. The run was helped by goalie Doug Jamieson and the defense allowing no goals in the final fourteen and half minutes as well as several gritty loose balls by the offense to reset the shot clock.
Next up for the FireWolves is a road trip to play the 4-1 Georgia Swarm this Saturday, January 13 at 7:30 pm ET. The game can be watched on ESPN+, TSN+, and locally on MY4.
National Lacrosse League Stories from January 9, 2024
- Eight Different FireWolves Score in Win over Halifax: By the Numbers - Oshawa FireWolves
- Panther City Lacrosse Club Signs Jackson Brown - Panther City Lacrosse Club
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