Longboat and Nardella Lead the Way over Double Header Weekend: By the Numbers Presented by StoredTech
March 12, 2024 - National Lacrosse League (NLL)
Albany FireWolves News Release
Albany, NY - The Albany FireWolves improved to 10-3 over the weekend as they came out of a tough double header with a win over the Vancouver Warriors (3-9) and a loss to the Rochester Knighthawks (5-6). Their incredible turnaround season continues as they get closer to reaching a franchise record in wins and securing a playoff spot. Let's look at a few key numbers that helped power the FireWolves through a double-header weekend.
10 Wins Ties Franchise Record
The FireWolves franchise history goes all the way back to the inaugural season of the NLL in 1987 when they were the original Philadelphia Wings. The Wings highest win total in a season was 10 in 2008 and when the team relocated and became the New England Black Wolves, they again reached 10 wins in 2016. Now in 2024, the Albany FireWolves have reached 10 wins to tie those records and they still have 5 games left in the regular season. This is even more incredible considering the FireWolves had a record of 3-15 last season. There is something special brewing in the Capital Region as the FireWolves are on the cusp of reaching the playoffs and breaking franchise records.
4 Goals By Travis Longboat Is Career High
Finding depth scoring is never easy in the NLL, but Travis Longboat has been a pleasant surprise for the FireWolves as he has posted 51 pts (21g, 30a) this season and scored a career high 4 goals in game as well as adding 1 assist in their win against Vancouver this past weekend. It was a truly special night as Longboat's big game came on Indigenous Celebration Night with his family in the crowd. Longboat is from the Six Nations reserve and is a member of the Mohawk nation. His 4 goals came off three perfectly placed shots from up top and a wraparound dunk as he came flying in from behind the net. Longboat is silky smooth and is a hardworking player with and without the ball. The FireWolves are lucky to have such a smart playmaker as part of their deadly offense.
49 Faceoff Wins In Two Games By Joe Nardella
In both games this past weekend, there was one area the FireWolves dominated completely. Joe Nardella continues to be a top faceoff man in the NLL as he won 49 out of 58 faceoffs in two games. Against Vancouver, his 23 wins out of 25 faceoffs taken allowed Albany to control the tempo of the game and come out with a 13-8 win. The next night in Rochester, Nardella continued to dominate in the circle as he won 26 out of 33 faceoffs to give the FireWolves a fighting chance to pull out the win in their second game in two days. They would ultimately fall to Rochester, but Nardella's efforts over the weekend continue to show that he will always give the FireWolves an opportunity to win by giving them the possession advantage. Nardella has now won 241 out of 336 faceoffs this season for a 71.7% win percentage.
Next up for the Albany FireWolves is a rematch with the Rochester Knighthawks back at MVP Arena this Saturday, March 16 for the completion of this home and home series and a chance for revenge.
Join the Albany FireWolves at MVP Arena on Saturday, March 16 for a St. Patrick's Party weekend and $3 Bud Lights! For more information regarding tickets, visit www.albanyfirewolves.com or call/text the FireWolves ticket hotline 518-612-4196.
National Lacrosse League Stories from March 12, 2024
- Longboat and Nardella Lead the Way over Double Header Weekend: By the Numbers Presented by StoredTech - Albany FireWolves
- Philadelphia Wings Acquire 2024 1st Round Pick in Trade for Taggart Clark - Philadelphia Wings
- Swarm Welcome Alex Crepinsek to Coaching Staff - Georgia Swarm
- Colorado Acquires Future Draft Capital Ahead of 2024 NLL Trade Deadline - Colorado Mammoth
- Riptide Acquire Taggart Clark from Wings - New York Riptide
- Bandits Acquire Dawson, Pick from Colorado - Buffalo Bandits
- Albany FireWolves Acquire John Wagner from Las Vegas - Albany FireWolves
- Church Signed Until 2025 - Saskatchewan Rush
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