Riptide vs. FireWolves – Game Preview

The New York Riptide return home to the Nassau Coliseum on Saturday, February 11, when they take on the Albany FireWolves for the second time this season. New York picked up a 16-10 win in their previous encounter, their only win of the season to date. The game will be available to watch on ESPN+, and listen to on WRHU 88.7 FM, WRHU.org and the WRHU iPhone App. Live stats and periodic in-game updates will be available via Twitter @ NewYorkRiptide.

Albany has struggled offensively this season, scoring just 61 goals in 6 games, which is the second fewest in the entire league, in part due to a lack of possessions as a result of their 23.1 team faceoff percentage. Former Riptide players Kieran McArdle and Connor Kelly, along with Tanner Thomson are the only Albany players with 20 or more points this season, and McArdle and Kelly are the only two with double digit goals. This has been somewhat mitigated by goaltender Doug Jamieson, who has stopped nearly 79% of the shots he’s faced, and his defense in front of him has played well, lead by Patrick Kaschalk, who leads the team with 34 loose balls, and Nick Chaykowsky, who has a team best 8 caused turnovers.

Albany’s offensive deficiencies provide an opportunity for a Riptide defense that has conceded the second most goals in the league to perhaps gain some confidence after allowing 22 goals to Toronto last weekend. In the previous meeting between these teams, New York had its best defensive performance of the season, only allowing 10 goals. Matt Marinier had a standout performance in that game with 5 loose ball recoveries and a team high 3 blocked shots, as well as one caused turnover. Jay Thorimbert had a season high 21-30 faceoff performance, including 12 loose balls, and Scott Dominey had 4 loose balls, 2 blocks, and a caused turnover while also chipping in 3 assists on the offensive end.

After this game, New York’s next contest will be Sunday, February 19, when they take on the Halifax Thunderbirds at the Scotiabank Centre in Halifax, NS.