Thursday, October 1, 2026
After waiting 637 days between games from the end of its inaugural season to the opening of the 2021-22 National Lacrosse League (NLL) campaign, the New York Riptide have to hit the restart button once again due to COVID-19 protocols.
Primed to get into the win column after dropping its first three games by a total of 7 goals, including a heartbreaking opener at home in overtime to Rochester, the Riptide is in the middle of a 33-day layoff thanks in part to a built-in bye week, followed by a league-wide bye week prior to the holidays, and also in part to two pandemic-related cancellations.
New York’s games at Colorado and Halifax on Dec. 31 and Jan. 8 were postponed and makeup dates have yet to be announced.
“I feel like Bill Murray in the movie Groundhog Day,” Executive Vice President of GF Sports & Entertainment [Riptide ownership] Rich Lisk said. “I’ve been in the sports business for 30 years and these past two have been the toughest stretch of all. Our offices have been closed again the past two weeks because I want to take all the precautions we can. They’re also back to a basic lockdown in Canada where the majority of our players and coaches live.”
Lisk, along with new General Manager Jim Veltman and first-year head coach Dan Ladouceur, revamped the roster after a one-win shortened debut season. Twelve of its 19 players have never played a full NLL season, Lisk noted.
The one silver lining, Lisk said, to struggling as an expansion franchise was the Riptide was rewarded the first pick of the 2020 NLL Draft. It selected former Cornell University star Jeff Teat, who is widely considered a generational talent. Teat had 3 goals and 2 assists in his pro debut. Other major additions include Callum Crawford, a four-time NLL All-Pro who led the league in scoring last season with 76 points and is off to a huge start with 18 points through three games, goaltender Steven Orleman, defender Damon Edwards, and faceoff specialist Jay Thorimbert, winner of 52.5 percent of draws so far.
“We wanted men with character and guys who wanted to help us build a winner here in New York,” Lisk said. “Most of the guys we have signed multi-year contracts and are here because they want to be here.”
The Riptide, which last played Dec. 12, host Panther City Lacrosse Club (0-3) on Jan. 15 at Nassau Coliseum. Faceoff is 7:30 p.m. and fans can take advantage of a special ticket promotion for this game as well as Jan. 29 versus Buffalo and get a pair of seats and a team hoodie for $72.
Until further notice, all guests ages 2 and up must wear a mask while inside the arena except when eating or drinking.
The Riptide drew 4,494 fans opening night. “It was such a great opener we set franchise records for everything from a business standpoint,” Lisk said. “It’s a tremendous fan experience and we want everyone to feel comfortable coming to games. If they’re not comfortable considering everything that’s going on, we will work with them and be more than happy to accommodate them later in the season.
“First and foremost, I’m concerned about the health and safety of everyone; players, staff and fans,” Lisk added.
The Jan. 29 game features a unique theme. It’s Superhero Night and the Riptide unveiled a special edition “Healthcare Heroes Jersey” to honor the unwavering commitment and heroic care given by healthcare workers nationwide to individuals impacted by COVID-19. A limited quantity of the jerseys are available for purchase on NewYorkRiptide.com. Fans who purchase a jersey will have the ability to customize it with their name on the back or the name of their personal healthcare hero. All proceeds ($50) from every jersey sold benefit St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.
