Caden Balint – Albany Correspondent, Stream Punk Sports / All Lacrosse All The Time
It’s time to Box Out Cancer! Tonight the Albany FireWolves (1-3) play host to the Las Vegas Desert Dogs (0-4) in the first annual Tucker Out Lymphoma Cup. Both teams enter the new year looking to put the struggles of the first half of the season behind them, and what better way to start 2025 than with this meaningful matchup? The game adds a unique storyline as FireWolves’ rookie Dyson Williams, the first overall pick in the 2023 NLL Draft, faces off against his father, Shawn Williams—a 2021 NLL Hall of Fame inductee and the Desert Dogs’ GM and head coach.
FireWolves Look to Reignite Their Season
Albany enters tonight’s game eager to get back on track. Despite their recent defeat, the FireWolves have shown flashes of brilliance, particularly from Ethan Walker, who notched a hat trick and four points in their last outing. Walker has been a consistent offensive force, and along with Alex Simmons (2g, 2a) and rookie Dyson Williams (1g, 2a), the FireWolves boast a dynamic group of playmakers. As for the defense, Albany will rely on a disciplined unit to stifle the Desert Dogs attack. Goaltender Doug Jamieson will also play a crucial role, aiming to anchor efforts for the FireWolves. A win here tonight could give Albany the spark that they need to start the big climb up the standings in the new year.
Desert Dogs Eye First Win
The Desert Dogs have had a challenging start to the season, sitting winless thus far. However, this team is far from lacking talent. Offensively, assistant captain Jonathan Donville has been a bright spot, consistently creating scoring opportunities with 17 assists and 18 points thus far this season. Jack Hannah and Casey Jackson are also capable of breaking through with key goals when given space. Las Vegas’ defense has struggled at times, but they’ll be leaning on goaltender Landon Kells to deliver a strong performance tonight. If the Desert Dogs can tighten up defensively and find a rhythm on offense, they could pose a significant challenge for Albany.
Key Matchups to Watch
1. Battle of the Picks
Tonight’s contest features the top two selections of the 2023 NLL Draft: Dyson Williams (1st overall) and Adam Poitras (2nd overall). This marks the first of many anticipated battles between these two promising young stars.
2. Transition Play
Both teams will need to capitalize on quick transitions. Albany’s defense will aim to shut down Las Vegas’ counterattacks, while the Desert Dogs look to exploit gaps and generate fast-break opportunities.
3. Exhilarating Debuts
The FireWolves will showcase two exciting debuts tonight. Veteran Callum Crawford, an NLL legend with 19 seasons under his belt and ranking 8th all-time in points (1,292), will make his first appearance for Albany. Crawford is expected to bring a much-needed spark to the FireWolves’ struggling offense.