New York Riptide breaks into win column

The New York Riptide has been the most active National Lacrosse League franchise off the field this month with a change at General Manager followed by three trades and a free-agent signing.

On Saturday night, the Riptide clicked on all cylinders on the field and produced a season-high goal total for a 16-10 victory at Albany, snapping a four-game losing streak out of the gate in the process.

Second-year star forward Jeff Teat dominated with 7 goals and 5 assists following back-to-back games without finding the back of the net. Teat was unstoppable, head coach Dan Ladouceur said, and also ripped 19 shots on goal.

Brett Hickey, Connon Kearnan and Larson Sundown added a pair of goals apiece for New York, which blew out to a 9-1 lead with 6:09 remaining in the half and went into cruise control for the remainder of the night. Hickey and Riley O’Connor both dished out 4 assists.

“Jeff had a ridiculous night,” Ladouceur said. “Our spacing was better and the way we moved the ball on offense was much smoother.”

Teat, who recorded 7 assists over the past two games but hadn’t scored since Dec. 17, got the Riptide rolling exactly one minute into the game when he beat Firehawks starting goaltender Doug Jamieson after taking a pass from Scott Dominey.

Tyler Digby set up both of Sundown’s goals in the first quarter and also one of Kearnan’s as the Riptide built a 5-1 cushion. The advantage swelled to 10-3 by halftime.

“It was a good feeling,” Ladouceur said of the large halftime lead. “It was unique to talk about how to play with a nice lead and protect it. We never took our foot off the gas. It was our best full 60 minutes of the season so far.”

Hickey, signed to the roster as a free agent just three days before the game, scored his first goal as a member of the Riptide early in the second quarter to make it 7-1. Hickey is a former 50-goal scorer in the NLL who spent most of last season with Philadelphia.

Adding Hickey was one of four key moves over a 10-day span by Executive Vice President/GM Rich Lisk. That same day, Jan. 18, Lisk pulled off a blockbuster with Panther City, sending 17-year NLL veteran and four-time All-Pro forward Callum Crawford packing in exchange for three players, including Long Island-native Petey Lasalla, and three draft picks (second rounders in 2024 and 2025, and a fourth rounder in 2023.)

“I didn’t like what I saw in a couple of games and made some moves I feel make us better in the short term and the long term,” Lisk said. “It was difficult to trade Callum. He’s someone who meant a lot to our team and community. We received some really good assets in return and wish him and his family nothing but the best.”

It was the second swap Lisk made with Panther City in eight days. On Jan. 10, the Riptide dealt forward Jake Fox there in exchange for defender Chad Cummings. The other move came last Friday when New York received Curtis Conley and a third-round pick in 2025 from Albany for Leo Stouros in a swap of defensemen.   

Conley and Stouros both played for their new teams in Saturday’s matchup. Riptide goaltender Steve Orleman made 28 saves and New York also excelled on draws for the first time this season, with Jay Thorimbert winning 21 of 30.

“The season is still young and we still believe we can make the playoffs,” Lisk said.

The Riptide is back at Nassau Coliseum this Saturday, Jan. 28, to face the Buffalo Bandits (4-2) at 7:30 p.m. Visit newyorkriptide.com/tickets for more information.

“Getting a win under our belts was huge,” Ladouceur said.