Longboat's 4 Goals Propel FireWolves to 13-8 Win on Indigenous Celebration Night
March 8, 2024 - National Lacrosse League (NLL)
Albany FireWolves News Release
Albany, NY - On a night where his family was in the crowd at MVP Arena and his Indigenous heritage was celebrated, Travis Longboat scored a career high 4 goals to lead the Albany FireWolves (10-2) to their tenth win of the 2023-24 National Lacrosse League (NLL) season against the Vancouver Warriors (3-9).
It was another full team effort as the offense continues to click in five-on-five sets and on the power play, while goalie Doug Jamieson and the defense are shutting down opposing offenses. Longboat has been an integral part of Albany's success all season as he has racked up a career high 47 pts (20g, 27a) so far this season. His inspiring hardworking play style has been the epitome of what makes this FireWolves team special. Alex Simmons had a team high 7 pts (1g, 7a) while the scoring was rounded out by Nathan Grenon 3pts (2g, 1a), Marshall Powless 3pts (1g, 2a), Tye Kurtz (1g, 2a), Ethan Walker 2pts (1g, 1a), and Nick Chaykowsky scored 1 goal.
The game began with a rare scoreless first quarter as both teams worked to figure each other out with plenty of scoring opportunities, but no balls going in the net.
Things would change in the second quarter as Longboat scored the first goal of the game on an assist from Powless which was a perfect start for the two Indigenous stars for the Albany. A few minutes later Chaykowsky made a great defensive play to pick up a loose ball and streak down the floor for a breakaway goal to make it 2-0. The FireWolves continued their scoring run as Longboat wrapped around the net for a gritty goal to extend the lead to 3-0. Vancouver would respond with a two-goal run of their own as the second quarter would end with a score of 3-2.
The tide would shift in the second half as the FireWolves rode the faceoff success of Joe Nardella and took advantage of power play opportunities. Powless scored in the first minute of the third quarter on the power play and Walker would follow it up with another power play goal a few minutes later to extend Albany's lead to 5-2. The Warriors would score a goal in transition to bring it to 5-3, but Longboat would score his third of the game on another power play to bring the score to 6-3 at the end of the third quarter.
The fourth quarter saw a flurry of scoring as the FireWolves would pile on the goals, but Vancouver would stick around with goals of their own. The Warriors opened the scoring to close the gap to 6-4, Grenon would respond for the FireWolves making it 7-4, the Warriors then scored on the power play bring it to 7-4, and then Albany would take control.
Four straight goals from the FireWolves got the home crowd at MVP Arena fired up. Goals from Longboat, Kurtz, Simmons, and Grenon brought the score to 11-5 as the offense showed the chemistry of this group and what they're truly capable of. Doug Jamieson shut the door against the Warriors with another great game in net as he racked up 41 saves. The last five minutes saw three goals in garbage time from Vancouver and FireWolves captain Colton Watkinson scoring two goals in empty net situations as the game was sealed. Nardella finished with another tremendous performance at the faceoff circle winning 23 of 25 faceoffs.
The FireWolves are now 10-2 as their storybook season continues as the 10 wins is the most in a season since the team moved to Albany in 2021 and it ties the franchise record all the way back to the original Philadelphia Wings.
Up next is a quick turnaround as the Albany FireWolves travel down the I-90 to face the Rochester Knighthawks for the second part of their doubleheader.
Another win tomorrow would put them into a prime position to secure a playoff spot in the coming weeks. Faceoff is set for 7pm on Saturday, March 9 and the game can be watched on ESPN+, TSN+, and locally on MY4.
Join the Albany FireWolves for a St. Patrick's Day weekend celebration on Saturday, March 16 for $3 beers! Get your tickets now at www.AlbanyFireWolves.com or call/text the FireWolves front office at 518-362-4900.
National Lacrosse League Stories from March 8, 2024
- Longboat's 4 Goals Propel FireWolves to 13-8 Win on Indigenous Celebration Night - Albany FireWolves
- Calgary Roughnecks Defeated by Georgia Swarm in Overtime - Calgary Roughnecks
- FireWolves Knock off Warriors 13-8 - Vancouver Warriors
- Warriors Look to Continue Momentum against Albany Firewolves - Vancouver Warriors
- Albany FireWolves Begin Double Header Weekend at Home against Vancouver - Albany FireWolves
- Calgary Roughnecks Launch 'Roughnecks Ladycrosse', Sponsored by Mayfair Diagnostics - Calgary Roughnecks
- Bandits Return Home to Host Rush on Super Hero Night - Buffalo Bandits
- GAMEDAY: Saskatchewan Rush VS Buffalo Bandits (March8, 2024) - Saskatchewan Rush
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