In a rematch of their first game of the season, the Toronto Rock got it done again with a 13-9 victory in Albany on Saturday night at MVP Arena.
The Rock got on the board first thanks to a rocket shot from Rob Hellyer. The FireWolves answered less than two minutes later from Joe Resetarits. Andrew Kew then scored on the run to give Albany the lead. The two teams traded goals to end the quarter 3-2 in favor of Albany.
The first goal of the second quarter was scored by Andrew Kew, which completed his hat trick less than 20 minutes into the game. Toronto answered by rattling off four-straight goals. Two of the Rock’s goals came from Reid Reinholdt, who completed his hat trick. Albany answered the Toronto offensive surge with two straight goals, to keep the score even at 6-6 heading into the third quarter.
Less than 30 seconds into the third quarter, Joe Resetarits completed his hat trick. Toronto would yet again go on a goal-scoring run with three straight goals. The FireWolves answered to end the third quarter when Resetarits connected with Reilly O’Connor for the goal. The third quarter ended with a 9-8 Rock lead.
The fourth quarter belonged entirely to Toronto, who blanked Albany up until the final minute of the game. Toronto rattled off four straight goals in the quarter which helped them seal up a 13-9 victory in Albany.
The FireWolves hung tough in the game through the third quarter, but just ran out of gas when it counted. This was not the same FireWolves team that we have been used to seeing in this first part of the season, although playing the night before in Buffalo didn’t help much in the effort.
The FireWolves bright spots were Andrew Kew and Joe Resetarits. Resetarits is now second in the NLL in both points and goals behind Lyle Thompson after scoring 39 points in the last five games. He has now put himself firmly in the NLL MVP conversation.
Next week, the FireWolves will look to end their three-game losing streak when they head to San Diego to face off against the Seals. The Rock will head to New York to face the Riptide.
