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Halifax Thunderbirds win NLL debut over New York Riptide 

Click to play video: 'Halifax Thunderbirds prepare for their professional debut'
Halifax Thunderbirds prepare for their professional debut
WATCH: The team will square off against the New York Riptide on Saturday night at the Scotiabank Centre – the first game of its inaugural season. Elizabeth McSheffrey has more. – Dec 7, 2019

Eric Fannell, Austin Shanks and Stephen Keogh had two goals apiece as the Halifax Thunderbirds downed the New York Riptide 12-4 in both teams’ National Lacrosse League debut.

Kyle Jackson and Ryan Benesch both scored and added two assists for the Thunderbirds (1-0), who moved to Halifax from Rochester, N.Y., in the off-season. Brad Gillies, Mike Burke, Jake Withers and Cory Becker also found the back of the net.

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Warren Hill made 40 saves for the win.

READ MORE: Halifax Thunderbirds focus on legacy as they kick off inaugural season

Dan Lomas had a pair of goals for the expansion Riptide (0-1), while Connor Kelly and Tyson Gibson added singles.

Alex Buque stopped 46 shots in New York’s net.

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READ MORE: Halifax Thunderbirds announced as city’s National Lacrosse League team name

The Thunderbirds were 1 for 5 on the power play and the Riptide went 1 for 3 with the man advantage.

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