ANALYSIS – The 2025-26 Oshawa FireWolves season was the first-ever season in which the National Lacrosse League (NLL) played in Oshawa. The team relocated from Albany, who were also known as the Albany FireWolves from 2021-25.
This was also the first time Oshawa had a major box lacrosse team since the Canadian Lacrosse League (CLL) folded in 2016, along with their team, the Durham TurfDogs.
2025-26 Oshawa FireWolves Season: The Fans Were There
Strengths
Fan and Community Support Were Strong
The home opener win against the Toronto Rock will probably be seen as one of the two most memorable games of the 2025-26 Oshawa FireWolves season. Not only did they get their first-ever home win in Oshawa, but they did also it against their Golden Horseshoe rivals, the Toronto Rock.
According to the Oshawa FireWolves website, defence and goaltending played a big role in their win over the Toronto Rock at the Tribute Communities Centre. This is what FireWolves head coach Glenn Clark said about Doug Jamieson in that game:
“He has evolved into one of the best goalies in the game,” said head coach Glenn Clark, praising his starting goaltender. “It’s very comfortable as a team, coach, and organization when you know that you have a chance to win with Doug in net. Although he struggled his first couple of years in the league, he’s become one of the best in the league now, and it’s great to watch him.”
It was a great moment for everyone within the Oshawa community and something that cannot be taken away.
Unfortunately, the team struggled after that point and never really recovered, which is a big reason why they did not make the NLL playoffs.
Weaknesses
The Team Struggled After the Win Over the Toronto Rock
The FireWolves lost 11-straight games after winning their home opener to the Toronto Rock. This streak was a big reason why they did not make the NLL playoffs.
Glenn Clark talked about this in length. This also included the last two years the team was in Albany. Clark said this is a five-year process, and the conclusion of the Oshawa FireWolves season in 2025-26, would be season three of that process according to the FireWolves YouTube Account on April 11, 2026:
“It’s been a blessing and a curse with this group,” said head coach and general manager Glenn Clark. “The blessing is that we went to the Finals three seasons ago and we made it to the top, the curse is that people think that we’re still there and we’re not. I knew we weren’t. You need to grow into that consistency in this league, and that’s never changed, and we’ve still got our core that is learning how to win in this league.”
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They now look to find that spark as the FireWolves is now heading into year four of five of the process. This includes giving up less goals for Oshawa’s second season in the NLL.
The Oshawa FireWolves Gave Up Too Many Goals
The FireWolves were ranked one of the teams that gave up the most goals in the league. Three games that came to mind took places in January. This included giving up 15 goals each to the Saskatchewan Rush (January 17) and the Colorado Mammoth (January 24). They also gave up sixteen goals against the Las Vegas Desert Dogs (January 31).
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However, the game most people will remember that got away from them, was the 14-13 loss to the Ottawa Black Bears on February 28 at the Canadian Tire Centre. The FireWolves were winning the game 13-9 with 01:51 minute left in the game. They gave up four goals within that time and very early on gave up the game-winning goal in overtime.
Yes, Ottawa was traditionally a good fourth-quarter team in the 2025-26 NLL season, as pointed out by the Oshawa FireWolves website. However, if the FireWolves want to contend for a playoff spot, in these types of games, they will need to capitalize on them. The Black Bears pulled their goalie to get an extra attacker, but there are still ways for the FireWolves to find a way to win a game like that.
Notable Game: Oshawa FireWolves Win Over the Buffalo Bandits
The FireWolves win against then the three-time defending NLL champions, the Buffalo Bandits was a great game to end the 2025-26 NLL season. After a disappointing loss to the Calgary Roughnecks at home, the Oshawa FireWolves found a way to get it done against the Buffalo Bandits.
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The game was about “Tucker Out Lymphoma Night.” It is a series of games between the Buffalo Bandits, Las Vegas Desert Dogs, and the Oshawa FireWolves used to raise money for cancer, as mentioned on the Neighbour Today Oshawa Facebook Page.
Also, it is about celebrating the life of Tucker Williams, a boy who loved lacrosse. However, he unfortunately passed away from Burkitt’s Lymphoma, at only eight-years-old, in 2014.
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Tucker was the brother of FireWolves forward, Dyson Williams, as well as the son of Las Vegas Desert Dogs head coach and general manager, Shawn Williams.
This is what Dyson said about the win according to the Oshawa FireWolves YouTube Account on April 19, 2026:
Dyson was understandably emotional about the game in the post-game press conference. He said it also showed character in the locker room of the FireWolves, as Durham region’s team ended the season on a high note.
Season Overview
B-
The only reason this ranking is so high is because the support and demand for the team is there. In a league where so many teams are relocating and/or folding, this is a good situation to be in.
What this team means to the Durham Region can be seen across the region. This is what a season ticket holder said in Lucas Argier, FireWolves PR’s website:
“I first heard about the FireWolves coming to Oshawa in the summer,” says Jen, a season ticket holder. “As a longtime fan of the Brooklin Lacrosse Club and the Merchants, having an NLL team in my backyard is fantastic.”
The Brooklin Lacrosse Club is a Senior A box lacrosse team that plays in Major Series Lacrosse (MSL) and the Brooklin Merchants is in the Ontario Series Lacrosse (OSL).
In addition, this is what Oshawa mayor, Dan Carter said about it as well in the same Argier article:
“A lot of people can’t afford to travel to Toronto to see some of the major sporting teams,” said Mayor Carter. “Imagine 6,000 people inside the TCC watching the FireWolves right here in the great City of Oshawa, and it being only 10 minutes from home. This is also an opportunity for families to go out on a night and see high-level athletes play close to home.”
Expect the popularity of the team to rise in the city of Oshawa, especially with renovations happening to the arena.
Photo Credit: David Pickering/NLL on November 28, 2025.
