DULUTH, Ga. (March 30, 2023) – The Georgia Swarm host the New York Riptide to commence the doubleheader weekend at home on March 31 for a 7:00 PM ET faceoff against the New York Riptide. The matchup will be broadcasted live on ESPNEWS and ESPN+. The Swarm continue Week 18 on Sunday, April 2 when they pay the Halifax Thunderbirds a visit.
The Georgia Swarm (4-8) and New York Riptide (4-10) went head-to-head last week on Long Island which resulted in the Swarm clinching its second-straight win. After defeating the Riptide 13-8, New York now sits in a place where they can be eliminated from playoff contention. New York will miss the playoffs if Georgia wins AND if either Colorado defeats Las Vegas OR Georgia Wins at Halifax, AND Philadelphia wins vs Rochester, AND Albany loss at Panther City. The Swarm are neither in a position to clinch or be eliminated from playoffs yet.
Although Georgia took a commanding 11-5 lead heading into halftime last week, New York’s defense held the Swarm to only two goals the entire second half. Georgia’s defense also put up a good fight in the final thirty minutes only allowing New York to score three goals.
Last week, Georgia strung up six-straight goals to kick off the game with Lyle Thompson recording a hat trick only 17 minutes into the affair. Teammate Andrew Kew tallied a hat trick in the second quarter and two more goals in the third along with four assists to lead the floor in points with nine. Jeff Teat was once again the Riptide’s top offensive threat, notching four goals and three assists.
The Swarm lead the NLL in power play record, converting 29-of-49 (59 percent) man-up opportunities. Kew ranks second in league power-play goals, totaling 10. After holding New York to 1-of-5 (20 percent) power plays on March 25, Georgia ranks sixth in penalty killing record, stopping 22-of-40 (55 percent) advantages. New York posts a 51 percent power play record while also killing 51 percent. Halifax averages a 42 percent power play conversion and a 59 percent killing record, ranking third.
A couple of foes we see this weekend, ranking in the NLL top-16 points leaderboard is Teat (113) who leads the league and former Swarm player and current Halifax Thunderbird Randy Staats (70) who ranks 16th. For the Swarm, Lyle Thompson (79) ranks eighth while Kew sits in 12th (75).
This marks the first meeting between the Swarm and Staats since he was traded in September of 2021 to Panther City in exchange for their First-Round selection in the 2024 NLL Draft, Second-Round pick in the 2023 NLL Draft, and a conditional Third Round selection in the 2022 NLL Draft. Staats never suited up in Panther City after and was traded to Halifax in August of 2022.
After splitting time last week, the Swarm might see both New York’s Cameron Dunkerley and Steven Orleman in net again on Friday. Last week, Dunkerley posted 26 saves and a .72 save percentage while Orleman recorded 12 saves and a .80 save percentage. Dunkerley started the last three games for New York, posting a 2-1 record. Georgia faces Halifax’s Warren Hill for the first time this season. Hill totals 430 saves, a .77 save percentage, and a 11.14 goals against average. Brett Dobson remains to be the Swarm’s go to as he now totals 330 saves, a .76 save percentage, and a 11.72 goals against average.
The double-header weekend against New York and Halifax is a very important weekend for Georgia as two wins and a loss for Philadelphia could put the Swarm in fifth place in the Eastern Division standings. Following the double-header, Georgia hosts another home game on Saturday, April 8 against the Saskatchewan Rush. After this weekend the Swarm only have four more games left, marking two home (April 8 and 29) and two away (April 15 and 22).
Where to Watch:
- Watch New York at Georgia live an in person for just $15 a seat in Gas South Arena on Friday, March 31 at 7:00 PM ET
- ESPNEWS | The Riptide vs. Swarm game will be nationally televised at 7:00 PM ET on ESPNEWS
- ESPN+ | If you do not get ESPNEWS you can still watch Georgia take on the Riptide at 7:00 PM ET on ESPN+
- ESPN+ | Enjoy some Sunday lacrosse at 1:00 PM ET as the Georgia Swarm face the Halifax Thunderbirds on the road
Milestones:
- Mike Manley needs one loose ball to reach 300 in his career
- Adam Wiedemann needs eight loose balls to reach 300 in his career
- Andrew Kew needs eight loose balls to reach 200 in his career
- TJ Comizio needs 11 loose balls to reach 200 in his career
- Jordan MacIntosh needs three loose balls to rank ninth all-time
History:
- Against New York, Georgia posts a 5-1 record all-time
- The Swarm are 2-0 against the Riptide at home
- The last win Georgia clinched over New York at home was on February 12, 2022 where the Swarm topped the Riptide, 13-11
- Georgia is currently riding a five-game win streak over New York
- This marks the 36th meeting all-time between Georgia and Halifax
- Halifax holds a 19-16 advantage over Georgia in the all-time series
- The Swarm post a 7-10 record against the Thunderbirds on the road
- Last season Georgia and Halifax split the series with both teams taking the win on their home turf
