Caden Balint – Albany Correspondent, Stream Punk Sports / All Lacrosse All The Time
FireWolves Host Black Bears in Indigenous Celebration Night
We Celebrate Our History! Tonight, the Albany FireWolves (2-7) play host to the Ottawa Black Bears (4-4) for “Indigenous Celebration Night” on Saturday, February 15. This matchup marks the first-ever meeting between the two clubs, as Ottawa is still settling in after their relocation from the New York Riptide.
Albany FireWolves Overview
The FireWolves enter tonight’s game with a 2-7 record and are eager to get back to their winning ways. Despite their recent struggles, they have consistently found the net, averaging at least 11 goals per game. Leading the way is Alex Simmons, who tops the team with 56 points.
After dealing with injuries, Albany finally gets some relief tonight. Travis Longboat will make his season debut after missing the start of the year, and captain Colton Watkinson returns to the lineup after being sidelined for the past couple of games.
Ottawa Black Bears Overview
The Ottawa Black Bears currently sit at .500 with a 4-4 record, thanks to stellar goaltending by Zach Higgins and strong defensive play. Offensively, they’ve struggled, averaging only 8 goals per game and heavily relying on Jeff Teat. In an effort to boost scoring, Ottawa acquired Eric Fannell from Albany, and he has made an impact with nine points (2g, 7a) in three games since the trade.
Just like Albany, Ottawa will also benefit from the return of a key player, as Reilly O’Connor rejoins the Black Bears’ lineup tonight.
Key Matchups to Watch
Tonight is a battle of family ties! Earlier this season, Dyson Williams faced off against his father, and tonight brings two more exciting family matchups. For the third time in their careers, FireWolves head coach will face his son, Taggart Clark, in a unique father-son showdown. Additionally, Tye and Reed Kurtz will go head-to-head for the first time in their careers. Tye shared his excitement, saying, “I’m excited—it’s the first time against my brother, so it’ll be a learning curve.”
A key focus of this game will be the battle between Albany’s defense and Ottawa’s evolving offensive strategies. The FireWolves’ defensive unit, led by seasoned players, will aim to use their experience to stifle the Black Bears’ attack. Conversely, Ottawa will look to leverage their fresh dynamics to challenge Albany’s defense.
With so much on the line, including family bragging rights, this is set to be an unforgettable night of lacrosse.
