The New York Riptide hosted the Albany FireWolves at NYCB Live in Uniondale on Saturday night in Week 11 action. Both teams were nursing two-game losing streaks. Albany signed faceoff specialist Zac Tucci prior to the game, trying to reverse their woes at the dot since Joe Nardella’s season ending injury. New York welcomed lefty forward Dan Lomas back to the lineup. However, they would be without the services of forwards Reilly O’Connor and Tyler Digby. Additionally, Riptide defenseman and team captain Dan MacRae suffered another injury and was put back on IR. Jeff Teat had a nine-point night as the Riptide led nearly wire-to-wire in a 14-12 victory. Their first win at home this season improves New York to 2-6, while dropping Albany to 2-5.
Teat propels Riptide to big first half lead
Teat (7g, 2a) started the scoring, beating Albany goalie Doug Jamieson just 1:22 into the game. Ethan Walker (4g, 1a; 2:47) equalized for the FireWolves, but the Riptide then scored three of the next four goals. Goals from Matt Marinier (8:28) and Dan Lomas (3g, 1a; 10:39; 12:29) were countered by Walker’s second goal (11:17). After 15 minutes of play, the Riptide held a 4-2 lead. Teat poured it on in the second quarter, scoring three straight goals (3:52; 4:28; 11:11). Six different Riptide players picked up assists on those goals, a sign of the ever-increasing chemistry both on the offense and in transition. Former Riptide forward Kieran McArdle (2g, 5a) would end the run with a power play marker at 12:46 to make it 7-3 in favor of New York entering halftime.
Riptide withstand furious Albany comeback
The Riptide opened the second half with four goals in the first four minutes. Larson Sundown (1g, 2a; 0:46) and Lomas’ hat trick goal (1:14) chased Jamieson from the FireWolves’ net, replaced by Justin Geddie. Connor Kearnan (1g, 6a; 1:37), and Jack Kelly’s first career NLL goal (3:58; power play) then gave New York an eight-goal lead, 11-3.
Colton Watkinson (1g, 1a; 6:12; power play) ended the run, but Teat responded with his fifth of the night. The game seemed to be well in hand, but Albany had other ideas. A seven-goal run into the fourth quarter cut the deficit to one. McArdle’s second of the game (8:35) and an unassisted goal from Nick Chaykowsky (8:45) on the ensuing faceoff narrowed the gap to six.
Walker’s hat trick goal (2:11 fourth quarter) was followed by a power play marker from Connor Kelly (3g, 3a; 5:47) to make it 12-8. Tanner Thomson (1g, 4a; 7:05), then Kelly’s second and third (8:19; 11:37) suddenly had the Riptide clinging to a 12-11 lead. However, Teat would step up and show why this Riptide team is now his. He netted his sixth and seventh goals of the night (12:04; 12:26) to put the game out of reach. Walker tallied his fourth (14:09) to give the FireWolves a brief glimmer of hope, but they would get no closer.
Other Stats of Note
Shots on Goal: ALB 67; NY 44
Power Play: ALB 3 of 6; NY 1 of 3
Jay Thorimbert (NY): 15 loose balls (led all players)
Faceoffs: ALB 12 of 30; NY 18 of 30
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“Muffler” Mike Kostiuk was formally introduced to box lacrosse when he attended a New England Black Wolves game on a whim in 2016. Instantly hooked, he has since become an avid follower of the National Lacrosse League. Following the postponement of the 2019-2020 NLL season, he was offered the chance to share his wealth of statistical knowledge and unique insights with the lacrosse community at large. He cheerfully accepted, and currently serves as Edge of Philly’s correspondent for both the Albany FireWolves and New York Riptide.
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