NLL Georgia Swarm

Georgia Visits Toronto in Game 2 of Back-To-Back Series

Published on February 17, 2023 under National Lacrosse League (NLL)
Georgia Swarm News Release


DULUTH, Ga. - The Georgia Swarm seek redemption over the Toronto Rock as Toronto edged Georgia, 11-10 last week. The Swarm pack their bags for the third time this season, heading up North to Hamilton, Ontario to face the Rock on Saturday, Feb. 18 at 7:00 PM ET.

Saturday marks the 30th meeting all-time between the Georgia Swarm (0-6) and Toronto Rock (7-2). The series is nearly tied as the Swarm have a one-game advantage over the Rock, leading the series 15-14. Georgia is 8-6 against Toronto on the road, securing a 10-6 win in Hamilton last season (March 26, 2022).

Last week, the Swarm climbed back from a 7-2 deficit in the second quarter to even the score at eight a piece towards the end of the third frame. Andrew Kew and Lyle Thompson recorded six points each with Kew recording three goals and three assists and Thompson tallying two goals and four assists. Toronto's Tom Schreiber was the only Rock member to notch a hat trick (3G, 2A) with Josh Dawick not far behind with two goals.

Kew leads the Swarm in points (35) and assists (24) while ranking second in goals (11). Thompson tops the team in goals, comprising 14 while ranking second in points (29) and assists (15). After securing a hat trick last week, Shayne Jackson totals nine goals on the season, placing him third on the team. The Swarm has only played two road games, with the offense averaging 9.5 goals per game in enemy territory.

Schreiber currently ranks third among NLL players in points with 61 (27G, 34A) while sitting second in goals. Schreiber is joined by teammate Corey Small on the NLL top-20 points leaderboard as he totals 43 (21G, 22A), ranking tied for 12th.

Brett Dobson earned the start in net for the Swarm against Toronto, totaling 12 saves and a .632 save percentage across 22 minutes played. Craig Wende relieved Dobson in net mid-way through the second frame, ending the game with 26 saves, four goals against, and a .866 save percentage. This season, Wende leads the two in save percentage (.760) while Dobson posts 20 more saves, totaling 125.

Nick Rose played the full 60 minutes in net for Toronto last week, recording 37 saves and a .787 save percentage. Rose saved a high of 15 Swarm shots in the second frame while stopping 11 in the final frame to give Toronto its seventh win of the season. Rose is tied for first in NLL save percentage and wins, recording 81 percent and seven, respectfully. The starting netminder also totals 332 saves on the year, ranking third.

Last week the Swarm held the Rock scoreless on both man-up opportunities while Kew notched one-of-two power play goals for Georgia. The Swarm rank third in overall power-play record, converting 13-of-23 (57 percent) opportunities. Toronto ranks 11th, finishing 16-of-38 (42 percent) man-up advantages.

After a near comeback victory for the Swarm last week, and their hunger for a win, this will be another close affair for both franchises. Following the road trip against Toronto, Georgia heads back home to host the Albany FireWovles on Saturday, Feb. 25 at 7:00 PM ET. Three-of the-four Thompson Brothers go head-to-head this night in Lyle Thompson and Jeremy Thompson with the Swarm and Hiana Thompson in Albany threads. Albany currently posts a 2-5 record, riding a three-game losing streak.

Milestones:

Brendan Bomberry needs nine loose balls to reach 200 in his career

Jordan MacIntosh needs seven caused turnovers to reach 200 in his career

Shayne Jackson needs:

Nine goals to reach 300 in his career

Three points to reach 700 in his career

Andrew Kew needs two loose balls to reach 150 in his career

Jeremy Thompson needs:

33 faceoff wins to pass Jamie Hanford for third place in league history with 2,092

Eight loose ball recoveries to pass Steve Toll for eighth place in league history with 1,563

Lyle Thompson needs one goal to reach 250 in his career

Where to Watch:

ESPN+ - Use your ESPN+ account (or create a new one) to watch the game live Saturday, February 18, 2023, and all season long

Watch in person at six Gwinnett County Taco Mac locations: Buford, Cumming, Duluth, Johns Creek, Lawrenceville & Suwanee

TSN - If located in Canada, you can log into your TSN account to watch the game live Saturday, February 18, 2023, and all season long

Swarm Spotlight:

Andrew Kew leads the squad another week in points (35) and assists (24)

Lyle Thompson tallies 14 goals on the year ranking first on the team; Thompson is on pace to achieve 40 goals and 40 assists this season which would mark the fifth of his career

Shayne Jackson ranks third in points (23), assists (15), and goals (14); Jackson has recorded two hat tricks this season

Jeremy Thompson tallies the most loose balls on the team, scooping 53; Thompson won 64-130 faceoffs, producing a 49 percent clip

TJ Comizio caused a turnover in every game this season, totaling 12 on the year; Comizio ranks seventh in defenseman points, notching seven (1G, 6A)

Ryan Lanchbury ranks tied for ninth among NLL rookies in points, collecting 1 goal and five assists

Adam Wiedemann ranks second in NLL defenseman goals, notching six this season; Wiedemann also ranks sixth in defenseman points, totaling eight (6G, 2A)

Mike Manley blocked six shots this season, marking the most on the team

Brett Dobson started four-straight games, totaling a .740 save percentage, 125 saves and a 13.68 goals against average

Craig Wende logs 162:39 minutes in net, comprising a .760 save percentage, 105 saves, and a 12.54 goals against average

Georgia's offense ranks third in power play record, sinking 13-of-23 (57 percent) man up opportunities

Georgia's backline held opponents to only one short handed goal, ranking second in the league

Eyes on the Rock:

Toronto is currently riding a six-game winning streak

Tom Schreiber ranks third in NLL points (61) and second in goals (27) while totaling 34 assists

TD Ierlan posts 159 face off wins, sitting second in the NLL; Ierlan sits fifth in NLL loose balls, totaling 108

Brad Kri forced 20 turnovers this season placing first in the league; Kri ranks fifth in NLL defenseman points with nine (3G, 6A)

Mitch de Snoo leads all NLL defenders in points (19) and goals (10) while ranking second in assists (9)

Latrell Harris totals 13 points (4G, 9A) on the year ranking fourth in NLL defenseman points and second in assists

Nick Rose totals seven wins this season, ranking him tied for first against other league goalies; Rose posts a .810 save percentage and 332 saves

Toronto ranks first in overall short handed goals, sinking eight this season

The Rock's backline ranks fourth in penalty killing record, stopping 26-of-42 (62 percent) man up opportunities

Toronto sunk 16-of-38 (42 percent) power play goals, sitting 11th in the league

Check out the Georgia Swarm Statistics

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National Lacrosse League Stories from February 17, 2023


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