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NLL Albany FireWolves

FireWolves Drop Game 1 of NLL Finals to Bandits

May 17, 2024 - National Lacrosse League (NLL)
Albany FireWolves News Release


ALBANY, NY - Game 1 of the National Lacrosse League (NLL) Finals presented by AXIA Time lived up to the expectations as these New York state rivals threw punch after punch through three quarters, but the Buffalo Bandits would pull away in the fourth with a 12-8 win over the Albany FireWolves in front of a raucous crowd at MVP Arena.

The Bandits take a 1-0 lead in the best-of-three series as the teams will meet again tomorrow night at KeyBank Center in Buffalo, NY as the FireWolves look to tie up the series.

Ethan Walker led the scoring for the FireWolves with 7 pts (2g, 5a) as he energized the FireWolves faithful with two huge goals early on. Rookie of the Year Alex Simmons added 6 points (2g, 4a), Tye Kurtz finished with 4 pts (2g, 2a), and Travis Longboat and Sam Firth finished with 1 goal apiece. Goalie Doug Jamieson put in another great performance with 44 saves on 55 shots on goal.

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The first quarter started out at a breakneck pace as the energy of game 1 of the finals could be felt from the first whistle.

The FireWolves began their first ever finals appearance with a Kurtz goal 35 seconds in that got the crowd on their feet as Albany took a 1-0 lead. The defending NLL champion Bandits were not fazed as they leaned on their championship experience all game. Buffalo responded with two goals a few minutes apart to take a 2-1 lead. Walker and then Kurtz would answer back with goals to retake the lead for the FireWolves 3-2. Buffalo was awarded several power plays back-to-back which they capitalized on with two goals to go up 4-3. The FireWolves kept on coming and Walker fired home his second of the night to end the quarter at a 4-4 tie.

The scoring slowed down in the second quarter as both teams started to settle in. The Bandits would get on the board to go up 5-4, but the FireWolves defense and Jamieson would shut them down for most of the quarter. Longboat and Simmons would find the back of the net to get the lead back for the FireWolves at 6-5 going into halftime.

The third quarter was a defensive battle as Buffalo came out trying everything they could to get past the stingy FireWolves back end. The Bandits scored twice in the third to get the lead back 7-6.

The final quarter began with a quick goal by Buffalo to extend their lead to 8-6, but silky finish by Simmons would cut it back to a one goal game as he made it 8-7. After back and forth play and defensive stands, the Bandits found their stride and pulled away with four straight goals to go up 12-7. Firth would add one more goal for Albany, but they would ultimately fall to Buffalo 12-8.

Next up for the FireWolves is a quick trip to Buffalo as they keep their championship hopes alive in Game 2 at the KeyBank Center on Saturday, May 18 at 7:30 pm. Game will be available to watch on TSN, TSN+, and ESPN+.

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