Written by “Muffler” Mike Kostiuk
Lax Philly – A Division of Edge of Philly Sports Network
The Albany FireWolves and Georgia Swarm faced off at MVP Arena in Albany on Saturday night in the second game of a Week 10 home-and-home doubleheader. In a reversal of how the first game played out, this time it was the FireWolves who overcame an early 2-0 deficit with a big run, then held off a late Swarm rally to win 13-11.
Flip-Flopping Roles
Georgia raced out from the start, with rookie defenseman Jeff Henrick (3:18) scoring his first career NLL goal, and Shayne Jackson (1g, 3a; 4:23) making it 2 0. Albany would respond with six unanswered goals. Tanner Thomson (2g, 1a; 9:47) on a power play, followed by Joe Resetarits (3g, 5a; 11:46) tied the score at 2. The goal was the 200th of Resetarits’ career.
Reilly O’Connor (3g, 4a) would begin his big night with back-to back tallies at 12:38 (power play) and 13:08. One minute later, transition player Adrian Sorichetti (1g, 1a) would notch his first goal of the year to end the first quarter with the FireWolves leading 5-2. O’Connor would add his hat trick goal just 18 seconds into the second quarter to make it 6-2 before the Swarm ended the run.
Lyle Thompson (4g, 1a), returning to the city where he starred collegiately, scored a power play goal at 6:51. Less than a minute later, an apparent shorthanded Albany goal by Charlie Kitchen would be called off due to a crease violation. However, Georgia was also whistled for a foul on the breakaway, resulting in a penalty shot for the FireWolves. Ryan Benesch (2g, 5a; 7:38) converted to increase the lead back to four. Swarm transition player Ryan MacSpadyen would respond with a goal in transition at 8:47 before Tanner Thomson added his second power play marker at 14:41 to make it 8-4 Albany at the half.
A Sting is No Match for a Bite
Benesch’s second made it a five goal lead just 27 seconds into the third quarter. Georgia would cut the deficit to one with a 4-goal run over the next nine minutes. It started with a goal that Albany netminder Doug Jamieson would surely like to have back.
While shorthanded, defenseman Adam Wiedemann (1g, 1a; 3:05) took a desperation shot from almost midfield as the shot clock was expiring. The shot wiggled its way past Jamieson to give the Swarm some unexpected life. Jordan Macintosh (2g, 2a; 6:41), Thompson’s second (7:12), and a power play goal from Brendan Bomberry (1g, 1a; 9:14) followed.
Resetarits pushed Albany’s lead back to three, scoring his second at 11:31, then his third at 5:41 of the fourth quarter. MacIntosh’s second (6:30) and Thompson’s (9:16) hat trick goal while shorthanded kept it interesting, but the relentless FireWolves transition would leave no doubt who was walking off the floor the victor.
Tony Malcom (13:21) on a broken play, then Jacob Ruest (1g, 2a; 13:33) off the ensuing faceoff made it 13-10. Thompson scored his fourth 30 seconds later, but the FireWolves ran out the remaining minute to salvage the weekend split and move into a tie for third place in a congested East Division. These two teams meet for a rubber match in Albany on March 19.
3 Stars of the Game
1st Star: Resetarits
2nd Star: O’Connor
3rd Star: Benesch
Other Stats of Note
- Power Play: GA 2 of 4; ALB 3 of 7
- Joe Nardella (ALB): 17 of 27 on faceoffs
- Malcom (ALB): 12 loose balls (led all players)
- Colton Watkinson (ALB): 3 Caused Turnovers (led all players)
- Mike Poulin (GA): 27 saves; Jamieson (ALB): 32 saves
Gary Groob has been involved with Lacrosse for the majority of his life, whether playing, coaching, or covering the sport for the media.
An avid fan, with a real drive about helping to “grow the game”, Gary became part of podcasts about the game in 2010. Through the podcasts, Mr. Groob was given an opportunity to write about lacrosse, and the rest as they say, is history.
Through many miles (flying and driving) Gary has made inroads with the National Lacrosse League, Major Series Lacrosse League, the Ontario Lacrosse Association, as well as the Arena Lacrosse League, covering the leagues, their teams, and players, working for, and in concert with all of them.
In the year 2020, Mr. Groob was made the media person for the Arena Lacrosse League, voted onto the board of directors of the Brampton Excelsiors Lacrosse Club, as well as being made administrator of the Lacrosse page “Global Lacrosse” with a membership of 9000 members in over 90 Countries. Gary was also made an administrator of Lacrosse History Past Present and Future in 2022.
Mr. Groob co-hosts a weekly Lacrosse show on Spanglish Sports World, and ZingoTV channel 250, as well as writes a weekly lacrosse column for La Portada Canada News (both in print, and online).
Gary also hosts a Lacrosse talk show and podcast for The Edge of Philly Sports Network, seen live Sunday nights at 9pm (ET), and archived on the Edge of Philly YouTube page, as well as Spotify.
Mr. Groob’s other sports interests include Hockey, Football, Boxing, Wrestling, and Baseball, competing competitively in Boxing and Wrestling for many years.
Latest Articles
No Practice No Problem????Flyers
National Lacrosse League Opens Friday with NLL Faceoff Weekend: Ten Things to KnowLacrosse, NLL
Native American Heritage Month – Making Wooden Lacrosse sticks: Rodney Haring, SenecaLacrosse
A Tale of Two Halves in South PhillyEagles- National Lacrosse League – Roster MovesLacrosse, NLL
