NLL Georgia Swarm

Georgia Begins Back-To-Back Series against New York on the Road

Published on March 24, 2023 under National Lacrosse League (NLL)
Georgia Swarm News Release


DULUTH, Ga. - The Georgia Swarm and New York Riptide start the home-and-home journey this Saturday, March 25, in Nassau Coliseum at 7:30 PM ET. The two teams are neck and neck in the NLL Eastern Division standings with the Riptide in sixth place posting a 4-9 record while the Swarm trail in seventh with three wins and eight losses.

The Georgia Swarm (3-8) are coming off its third win of the season after defeating the Philadelphia Wings, 13-12 in Wells Fargo Center. This marked the seventh-straight game between the Swarm and Wings that was decided by one goal. The New York Riptide (4-9) are riding a two-game winning streak, topping the Albany FireWovles (10-3) and Philadelphia (13-10).

Saturday marks the sixth-ever meeting between the Swarm and Riptide with Georgia holding a 4-1 advantage in the all-time series. Georgia's lone loss to New York was the Riptide's first franchise victory on January 18, 2020. Since then, the Swarm are on a four-game win streak.

It will be a tough battle between Georgia and New York as they both have very similar statistics. The Swarm rank second in power plays, averaging a 59 percent success rate while the Riptide sit in fourth, converting 54 percent. Defensively, New York and Georgia rank ninth and 10th, respectfully, in power play kills. New York averages 11.85 goals per game while Georgia averages 11.64.

Both teams have players in the NLL top-20 points leaderboard in Jeff Teat, Lyle Thompson, and Andrew Kew. Teat leads the league in points (106) and goals (45) while ranking second in assists (61). Lyle Thompson climbed the ranks after another high-point performance now sitting in seventh place with 72 (32G, 40A). Kew cracked the leaderboard for the first time this season, ranking 11th with 66 (27G, 39A).

After making some heroic saves last week Brett Dobson clinched his third win in net. Dobson tallies 289 saves, a .75 save percentage, and a 12.20 goals against average. New York has seen a different starter between the pipes the last two games as Cameron Dunkerley not only started the last two games but secured wins for the Riptide. Dunkerley suited up in four games this season, recording two wins, a .81 save percentage, 83 saves, and a 10.00 goals against average. It is possible we see Steve Orleman get back out there as he logs 586:32 minutes with the team this season, totaling 407 saves, a .74 save percentage, and a 14.83 goals against average.

Defensively, the Swarm total 125 caused turnovers this season led by TJ Comizio (23) and Kason Tarbell (14) compared to New York's 114. Ron John leads the Riptide in caused turnovers, forcing 15 with Scott Dominey and Damon Edwards behind, notching 13 each.

Saturday marks the first game of the back-to-back series against New York with the second game taking place in Gas South Arena on Friday, March 31. Next weekend marks a double-header affair for the Swarm starting at home then traveling on Saturday for a 1:00 PM ET showdown against the Halifax Thunderbirds on Sunday, April 2.

History:

The Swarm and Riptide have gone head to head five times in franchise history

Georgia holds a 4-1 advantage over New York in the all-time series

The Swarm post a 2-1 record on Long Island, taking its first loss on January, 18 2020 in overtime

Georgia is currently riding a four-game winning streak

Throughout the last five meetings Georgia outscored New York 64-50

Milestones:

Head coach Ed Comeau will coach his 200th career game Saturday at New York.

Andrew Kew needs 11 loose balls to reach 200 in his career.

Jordan MacIntosh needs 14 loose ball recoveries to pass Steve Toll for ninth place on the all-time list with 1563.

Jordan MacIntosh needs one caused turnover for 200 in his career.

Mike Manley needs seven loose balls to reach 300.

Where to Watch:

ESPN+ - Use your ESPN+ account (or create a new one) to watch the game live Saturday, March 25, 2023, and all season long

TSN+ - If located in Canada, you can log into your TSN account to watch the game live Saturday, March 25, 2023, and all season long

Swarm Spotlight:

Georgia's offense ranks second in the league in power plays, converting 27-of-46 (59 percent) man up opportunities

The Swarm's backline stopped 18-of-35 (51 percent) power plays, ranking 10th in the NLL

Georgia averages 11.64 goals per game while holding foes to 12.82 goals per game

Lyle Thompson ranks seventh in league points, totaling 72 (32G, 40A); he ranks first in all Georgia Swarm offensive statistical categories as well as fourth in loose balls and totals nine caused turnovers

Andrew Kew sits 11th in NLL points with 66 (27G, 39A); Kew is tied for first in NLL highest individual game performance, notching seven goals against Albany (Feb. 25)

Seth Oakes ranks tied for second in NLL shorthanded goals, totaling three

Brett Dobson posts three wins, 289 saves, a .75 save percentage, and a 12.20 goals against average

Adam Wiedemann ranks fourth among NLL defenders in points (16) and goals (6) while tying for third in assists (10)

TJ Comizio ranks seventh in NLL defenseman points (11), tied for third in assists (10), tied for first in power play goals (1), and fourth in forced turnovers (23)

Kason Tarbell and Mike Manley lead the team in blocks, stopping 10 each

Jeremy Thompson picked up 105 loose balls this season, fronting the team; Jeremy Thompson posts a .50 faceoff win percentage, clamping 134-of-269

Eyes on the Riptide:

New York ranks fourth in power play record, converting 30-of-56 (54 percent) man up opportunities

The Riptide's backline ranks ninth in penalty kills, stopping 34-of-66 (52 percent) man up advantages

New York averages 11.85 goals per game while averaging 14.15 goals against per game

Jeff Teat leads the league in points (106), and goals (45) while ranking second in assists (61)

Cameron Dunkerly records two wins, 83 saves, a .81 save percentage, and a 10.00 goals against average; Dunkerly ranks third in league save percentage

Steve Orleman posts two wins, 407 saves, a .74 save percentage, and a 14.83 goals against average

Scott Dominey ranks eighth among NLL defenders in points, totaling 10 (4G, 6A)

Matt Mariner is tied for fourth in NLL defenseman shots blocked, stopping 16

Check out the Georgia Swarm Statistics

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National Lacrosse League Stories from March 24, 2023


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