Game Preview - Halifax @ Albany
Jan 3, 2024
The Halifax Thunderbirds will aim to get back in the win column on Saturday night as they head on the road to MVP Arena for a matchup with the Albany FireWolves. Opening face-off is set for 8:00 p.m. AT.
Head to Head
The FireWolves have been a thorn in the side of the Thunderbirds over the last three seasons. Since moving to Halifax, the team has gone 1-3 against Albany.
However, they did find success in their last visit to MVP Arena, poting 14 goals in a big road victory early in last season.
The teams split the season series last year, with the FireWolves getting that win back in Halifax later in the year.
Coming off a high-scoring outing last weekend, the Thunderbirds will be pushing for a victory on the road.
Scouting the Thunderbirds
Since re-joining the lineup, Randy Staats has continued to be as consistent as ever, posting two straight six-point games. But the best outing of the night against Philadelphia came from Ryan Benesch, who netted a sock trick and eight points.
Despite coming out on the losing end last weekend, the Thunderbirds still produced 15 goals. Cody Jamieson had six assists while Austin Shanks (2G, 3A) and Clarke Petterson (2G, 2A) continued their strong starts to the season.
Dawson Theede has also impressed out of the gates with his strong play. He finished last game with two goals and three points along with five loose balls and a bone-crunching hit in the fourth quarter.
Jake Withers had a massive outing last weekend, posting two assists, 23 loose balls, and three caused turnovers while going 31 of 34 (91%) on face-offs. He’ll once again play a crucial role in this game with another key matchup at the stripe awaiting him.
Trevor Smyth is also coming off one of his best career games, scoring a goal on a shorthanded transition opportunity. He also had four loose balls.
Warren Hill will be looking for a bounce-back performance in Albany. He currently holds a 2-1 record on the year with an 11.15 goals-against average and a .740 save percentage.
Scouting the FireWolves
After finishing last season with a league-worst 3-15 record. They’ve already won more games through one month this year, starting out 4-0. The youth infusion into the FireWolves’ offence has been the biggest factor to this point.
Rookie Alex Simmons is currently tied for the league lead in points with 13 goals and 27 points in four contests. Lefty Ethan Walker sits just one point behind with 26 on the year.
Another 2022 first-rounder, Tye Kurtz, has 20 points to open the year. Albany has spread the wealth offensively as well, with five of their players sitting with 15-plus points. Travis Longboat (5G, 13P) and Sam Firth (4G, 12A) have also gotten off to great starts, while Marshall Powless (6G, 8A) and Nathan Grenon (4G, 6A) have provided solid depth scoring when called upon.
The FireWolves also have the ability to get out and run with the likes of Colton Watkinson and Jackson Nishimura pushing consistent transition.
In net, Dougie Jamieson will get the start. The Six Nations, Ontario product has opened the year with a spotless record to go along with a 10.71 GAA and a .770 SV%.
Showdown at The Stripe
As mentioned above, Saturday will be another big game when it comes to face-offs for Jake Withers. He’ll go up against one of the best draw men in the league in American Joe Nardella.
Nardella missed all of last season with a lower-body injury, and the FireWolves had to make do at the face-off x. Against Withers last year, Albany combined to win just 3 of 54 draws (<1%). So far this year, Nardella has won a league-best 80 draws in four games while having a 74% win percentage.
Withers has also gotten out to a hot start, winning 65 of 77 face-offs (84%). He’s also had 52 loose balls, four caused turnovers, and two multi-point games so far.
It’ll be the biggest test of the year so far for Withers. Expect some great battles on the initial clamp and then loose ball scraps between the ball teams.
With two high-powered offences on either side, the edge could come down to those extra possessions gained off draws.
Milestone Tracker
- Randy Staats needs five goals to reach 200 for his career
- Ryan Benesch needs seven goals to surpass Colin Doyle for fifth all-time (528)
- Jake Withers needs 30 loose balls to reach 1,000 for his career…Needs 37 face-off wins to surpass Bob Snider for eighth on the all-time list (1,577)
- Graeme Hossack needs four points to reach 100 for his career
- Luc Magnan needs four loose balls to reach 400 for his career
Broadcast Info
Thunderbirds fans can tune into Saturday night’s game on TSN+ in Canada and on ESPN+ in the United States.
Fans in Halifax can also catch the game live on CTV2.