FireWolves Top Rush in New Year's Eve Overtime Thriller
January 1, 2024 - National Lacrosse League (NLL)
Albany FireWolves News Release
Saskatoon, SK - Ethan Walker scored 55 seconds into overtime to give the Albany FireWolves (4-0) a 11-10 win against the Saskatchewan Rush (1-3) in a New Year's Eve classic at the Sasktel Centre.
It was a fitting game for New Year's Eve as these two teams provided plenty of fireworks in front of the loud Saskatchewan crowd. Walker and Alex Simmons led the way once again for Albany as Walker finished with 3 goals and 3 assists while Simmons continued his amazing rookie campaign with 3 goals and 4 assists. Doug Jamieson and the defense were pushed to the limit by the Rush, but made the final stop in the fourth quarter to send it to overtime. Joe Nardella was dominant as he won 22 of 25 faceoffs along with scooping up 17 loose balls. Nardella also won the most important faceoff in overtime with help from Nick Chaykowsky who grabbed the loose ball. Walker scored the game winning goal on the ensuing possession.
The FireWolves started out hot with two straight goals from Walker and Marshall Powless to go up 2-0, but the Rush responded with one on the power play and then on the next possession to tie it up 2-2. Simmons scored on a sweeping shot and then Walker followed it up with a quick stick to go up 4-2.
The Rush and FireWolves traded goals in the second quarter and Nathan Grenon scored two to make it 6-4. Simmons quickly added another goal to make it 7-4. Travis Longboat opened the second half scoring with a rocket to expand the FireWolves lead to 8-4. Tye Kurtz continued the run with his first goal of the game to make it 9-4.
The Rush wouldn't go quietly and late in the third quarter started their comeback. After some back and forth play, Saskatchewan scored two goals making it 9-6. Simmons would answer with a goal to extend the FireWolves lead to 10-6. The Rush would cut it to 10-7 on a power play goal to end the third quarter.
It was all Rush in the fourth quarter as they scored three goals to tie it up 10-10 and send it to overtime. Jamieson was clutch and made key saves in the final stanza to keep the Rush at bay and send the game to overtime. He would finish the game with 44 saves on 57 shots. The FireWolves won the overtime faceoff and Walker fired a low shot to seal the victory and keep their undefeated record going into 2024.
The FireWolves will return home to MVP Arena on Saturday, January 6 against the Halifax Thunderbirds at 7 PM ET. The game will be available to watch on ESPN+, TSN+, and locally on MY4.
National Lacrosse League Stories from January 1, 2024
- FireWolves Top Rush in New Year's Eve Overtime Thriller - Albany FireWolves
- Rush and FireWolves Go the Distance on NYE - Saskatchewan Rush
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