A game of reviews and over turns

On April 4, 2025 the Vancouver Warriors took on the Albany FireWolves in one of their final home games of the seasons. 

The Vancouver Warriors also hosted country night and it had fans showing up in their boots and hats ready for the showdown. 

Megan Swain/GATG

Both teams were coming off of a 3 game win streak, making the tensions high and the stakes higher. Each team ready to do whatever needed to be done to keep their streak alive. 

Warriors opened the scoring, however, the FireWolves coach threw out a challenge flag, putting the goal under review. After review the goal was overturned and ruled as a no goal. 

The Warriors took back to back penalties, giving the FireWolves multiple 5 on 4 advantages. However, with strong defense and solid game play the Warriors managed to kill the penalties with no goals against. 

After back to back penalty kills the Warriors were back at full strength, and were able to put the ball in the net, officially opening the scoring for the game. 

The FireWolves pulled their first penalty of the game with a potential 5 minute major. The play went under review. The original ruling stayed with the call remaining as a 5 minute major. 

Taking advantage of the power play the Warriors scored their second goal of the night. On the man down the FireWolves answered back to score their first goal of the night. 

The second quarter remained low scoring as both teams fought hard on defense. However, the Warriors are able to secure back to back goals. 

FireWolves got their second penalty of the game, however, a strong defensive penalty kill allowed them to hold off the Warriors. 

With just over 3 minutes left in the first half of the game, the Warriors scored their fifth goal of the game. However, with a discrepancy between the officials the goal went under review. 

For the second time in the game the goal would be ruled as a no goal, keeping the final score of the first half 4-1 for the Warriors. 

Throughout the intermission the concourse was filled with fans decked out in their best western wear. Country music filled the arena as Dawson Gray played a small set. The Port Moody Minor Lacrosse League also joined for a brief scrimmage on the pitch. 

The FireWolves opened the scoring in the second half of the game. The Warriors did not leave that goal unanswered with their fifth goal following close behind. 

Tensions remained high throughout the second half of the game with the goals on both sides remaining low. Both teams playing strong defence keeping the others offence on their toes. 

The FireWolves got their third goal of the night with the ball getting caught in the goalies pads, and sneaking out and across the line. This had fans confused and angry, but the game continued. 

The final quarter started with a Warriors penalty, giving the FireWolves the advantage. Even with a man down the Warriors managed to score their sixth goal of the night. 

Throughout the arena the energy remained high, giving the Warriors the support they needed to score their seventh goal of the night. This didn’t deter the FireWolves as they came back with their fourth goal of the game.  

Momentum on both sides continued to support the players throughout the fourth quarter, however, the Warrior’s offence stepped up and scored multiple points back to back. 

With just over 4 minutes left in the quarter the Warriors scored an empty net bringing their total goals to 10. 

FireWolves pulled their goalie again to bring an extra attacker onto the pitch, but the Warriors kept the pressure on. 

That pressure paid off with Warriors taking the win 10-4, continuing their win streak. This was also the lowest amount of goals scored against this season. 

The Vancouver Warriors final home game of the year is on saturday, April 19, 7pm at Rogers Arena against the Philadelphia Wings.