Today the Albany FireWolves play host to the San Diego Seals in Game 2 with a chance to move on to the National Lacrosse League (NLL) championship round. In Game 1 Albany was propelled to the win on the back of a 10 point night for rookie Alex Simmons in the 14-12 win on Friday, May 3. With his 5 goals and 5 assists Simmons was able to tie a playoff record for most points in a single game since 1992 when John Tavares did it with the Buffalo Bandits. While Simmons scored 5 of Albany’s 14 goals, the depth for the FireWolves reared its head in Game 1 with 8 different goal scorers helping the FireWolves get one step closer to the finals. With Game 1 having a combined 26 goals compared to the 12 goals that was seen in the quarterfinal game between Albany and Halifax, it seemed like defense took a step back but FireWolves defender John Wagner continues to prove effective since coming over from Las Vegas. Wagner was able to contribute to the win with 2 assists, blocking 2 shots, being able to cause a turnover and able to come up with 11 loose balls in the game.
After a 3-15 season last year for the FireWolves, they now put themselves in a great position to take Game 2 with a rambunctious fanbase behind them as they look for that championship round bid, but the question stands. How will the FireWolves defend the Den?
Caden Balint is a graduate of La Salle Institute in Troy, NY and Merrimack College in North Andover, MA and has been in love with sports forever. Whether it is watching, playing, writing, sports have always been a passion. Getting the chance to start his dream of sports journalism with Stream Punk is just the start of a long journey. In his spare time Caden enjoys playing hockey, spending time with his loved ones and playing video games but you will soon get to know him a lot more!