Riptide Drag Firewolves out to Sea

2/11/23

J.J. Pavlick

The Riptide entered tonight in desperate need of a win and well old reliable is coming into town tonight to face the struggling team from Long Island. The last time the two teams met the Riptide won 16 - 10 and got their 1st and only win of the season. Jeff Tate had seven goals, 5 assists, and 12 points in that game and will be looked upon to produce similar stats today. The team will be expected to come out strong and grab their second win as nothing else would be acceptable at this point in the season. Attendance has been up for the Riptide over the last few home games, and they need to strike while the market is behind them.

The first half of the game saw the Riptide dominate quickly and often. The Riptide went into the half up 7 - 3, they've dominated in the majority of the stats except shots on goals. Jeff Tate was stealing the show along with Dan Lomas for the Riptide who shredded the Albany defense at will. The Riptide lost Hickey to a non-contact injury, he was holding his knee and needed assistance to get to the locker room.

The second half was not as smooth for the Riptide, Albany fought back hard in the final 2 quarters and made the game closer than it should have ever been. Jeff Tate stepped up and did what he does best score and score often. He scored what would be the game-winner with just under 3 minutes left. The Riptide held Albany off in the dying minutes of the game to secure their second win of the season. Tate had 7 goals and 2 assists for 9 points, Connor Kearnan had 1 goal and 6 assists for 7 points, and Dan Lomas had 3 goals and 1 assist for 4 points.

The Riptide will return to action on February 19th against the Halifax Thunderbirds at 1 PM ET. The Riptide will look to get revenge on the Thunderbirds who took the first meeting 20 -11 on Long Island.