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NLL Albany FireWolves

Kurtz's 6 Goals and Stellar Play from Jamieson Lead FireWolves to 13-10 Victory Over Buffalo

February 24, 2024 - National Lacrosse League (NLL)
Albany FireWolves News Release


Buffalo, NY - In a statement win, the Albany FireWolves (8-2) downed the Buffalo Bandits (5-5) as they made a second half scoring run and closed out the game in an incredible team effort that keeps them in first place in the National Lacrosse League (NLL).

Rookie Tye Kurtz scored a career high 6 goals to silence the Buffalo crowd of 17,953 in a game that had a little bit of everything. The FireWolves defense was exceptional and supported goalie Doug Jamieson who made 46 saves on 56 shots on net. Jamieson also sealed the game by scoring an empty net goal in the last 10 seconds. The Albany power play went 4 for 8 and capitalized on key opportunities all game.

The win completed the FireWolves season sweep of the Bandits and this was the second straight win for Albany at the KeyBank Center going back to when they defeated them in December 2022.

The game began with a flurry of scoring with two straight goals from the Bandits, but the FireWolves responded with a goal from Ethan Walker and Tye Kurtz's first two goals of the night to take the lead 3-2. Buffalo hit right back with another two-goal run, but Sam Firth would sneak one in to end the first quarter 4-4.

The second quarter featured seven goals and a fight between FireWolves captain Colton Watkinson and Bandits defenseman Justin Martin that brought the raucous Buffalo crowd to their feet. The Bandits players were physical all game and the hits and penalties had tensions high between these two New York State rivals. In a night of highlight reel goals, the play of the night was Marshall Powless' slick backhand pass from behind the net to Travis Longboat that tricked Bandits goalie Devlin Shanahan as Longboat quick sticked the ball into a wide-open corner. Alex Simmons scorched a corner with a shot from up top and Kurtz added another goal to make the score 8-7 at halftime.

The third quarter was a defensive battle with both goalies making save after save and neither defense giving up an inch. Kurtz finally found the net with two and half minutes left in the quarter on a beautiful dunk from behind the net to extend the FireWolves lead to 9-7.

The fourth quarter was a dramatic one with Albany continuing their scoring run with Kurtz finding the net again and Nathan Grenon scoring his first of the game. The Bandits stopped the run with a goal that made it 11-8, but Kurtz would score his sixth goal of the game to complete the sock trick and give the FireWolves a 12-8 lead. The last three minutes were hectic as Buffalo pulled their goalie and were able to score two straight goals and close the gap to 12-10.

Joe Nardella's great work at the faceoff circle was crucial in the final minutes as he finished the game winning 25 of 27 faceoffs and gave Albany big late game possessions. Every FireWolves player contributed with key plays like Leo Stouros blocking two shots in a row, Mike Byrne causing turnovers, and the offense getting valuable repossessions. It was fitting that Doug Jamieson, who made big save after big save against the high-powered Bandits offense, was the one to put the game away with a bouncing shot at the empty net that went in as the FireWolves bench exploded and celebrated the 13-10 win.

The FireWolves now eye a playoff spot and with the leadership of head coach Glenn Clark, his coaching staff, and the veteran players leadership, the youngest team in the NLL is proving that they are a championship contender.

The Albany FireWolves will return to action back home at MVP Arena on Saturday, March 2 at 7 pm for Marvel Super Hero Night. The first 3,000 fans will receive a Marvel Legends Of Lax comic book.

Single game tickets for the 2023-2024 FireWolves season are available now! For more information regarding tickets, visit www.AlbanyFireWolves.com or call/text the FireWolves front office at 518-362-4900.

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