DULUTH, Ga. (April 7, 2023) – The Georgia Swarm have a chance to advance their record to 8-8 this weekend after starting the season off 0-7. The Swarm start a two-game away stretch against the Albany FireWolves this Saturday, April 8, at 7:00 PM ET in MVP Arena.
After the Georgia Swarm (7-8) started the season 0-7 everyone counted them out of the playoffs, however after winning seven of the last eight games, Georgia currently holds the fourth spot in the playoff race. The Swarm are hot, sitting on a five-game winning streak, holding foes to less than 10 goals for four-straight games. Not only would a win make it six in a row for Georgia, but it would mark Head Coach Ed Comeau’s 122 career win, making him the second winningest coach in NLL history.
The Albany FireWolves (3-12) have been eliminated from the playoffs but continue to put up a fight game after game. The FireWolves defeated the Eastern Division third seed Rochester Knighthawks, 14-12 last Saturday, April 8.
This marks the third matchup between Georgia and Albany this season and the second in MVP Arena. The Swarm hold a 2-0 record over the FireWolves this season and a 29-17 advantage in the all-time series. Georgia posts a 13-11 record against Albany in enemy territory.
For the first time this season Georgia sees three players ranked on the NLL top-20 points leaderboard. Andrew Kew sits in sixth place, notching 97 points (36G, 58A). He is three points away from his first 100-point season, averaging 6.46 points per game. Lyle Thompson totals 93 points (41G, 52A), ranking seventh in the NLL. Lyle Thompson is coming off an eight-point performance, notching four goals and four assists. Shayne Jackson is the final Georgia member to rank in the NLL top-20 as he sits in 16th with 78 points (27G, 51A).
Georgia leads the league in power play record, converting 36-of-61 (59 percent) man up advantages. Kew leads the NLL in power play points, registering 29 (12G, 17A) and holds the record this season for most power play goals in a single game, notching four (Feb. 25). Georgia’s offense averages 12.20 goals per game, scoring double digit goals in six-straight games.
Throughout the last four games, Georgia’s backline held foes to less than 10 goals, averaging 11.47 goals against per game this season. The Swarm’s defense is guided by starting goaltender Brett Dobson who posts seven wins, 453 saves, a .78 save percentage, and a 10.60 goals against average. Dobson has earned NLL Rookie of the Week honors for two weeks straight, combining for 123 saves across the last three games. The defense is also anchored by captain Jordan MacIntosh who is second on the team in caused turnovers, forcing 22 behind TJ Comizio’s 27.
This week Georgia faces Kieran McArdle, Connor Kelly, and Tanner Thompson as Albany’s top offensive threats. McArdle is the team leader in points (55) and assist (40). Kelly leads the squad in goals (28) and sits second in points (54) while Thompson is third in team points (51) and second in assists (31).
The last time the Swarm faced the FireWolves Doug Jamieson played the entire game between the pipes, recording 52 saves and a .852 save percentage. However, when Georgia first played Albany on Feb. 25, Justin Geddie suited up against the Swarm, posting 21 saves and a .617 save percentage.
Saturday marks the first away matchup on Georgia’s two game road stretch. Following Albany, Georgia faces the Rochester Knighthawks in Blue Cross Arena on Saturday, April 22. Rochester currently holds the third spot in the Eastern Division and are riding a four-game losing streak.
The Swarm return to Gas South Arena for one last time during the regular season on April 29, marking Native Heritage Night. With three weeks of play left, the Swarm hold the fourth seed in the Eastern Division playing the top-seeded Toronto Rock on the road during the first weekend of playoffs (May 4-7).
Where to Watch:
- ESPN+ | Use your ESPN+ subscription to watch the Swarm take on the FireWolves at 7:00 PM ET on Saturday, April 15
- TSN+ | If located in Canada, use your TSN subscription to watch the Georgia at FireWolves game at 7:00 PM ET on Saturday, April 15
History:
- The all-time series between the two clubs stand at 29-17 in Georgia’s favor
- The Swarm post a 13-11 record on the road against the FireWolves
- The Swarm have defeated the FireWolves twice already this season with one being in MVP Arena in overtime
- During the 2021-22 season Georgia won two of the three matchups against Albany, winning one at home and one on the road
- Georgia outscores Albany 69-50 in the last five matchups
Milestones:
- Head coach Ed Comeau needs one win to pass Darris Kilgour for second on the all-time list with 122.
- Andrew Kew needs two points to reach 200 in his career.
- Jordan MacIntosh needs eight loose ball recoveries to pass Pat McCready for eighth place on the all-time list with 1594.
- Jeremy Thompson needs 16 faceoff wins to become the third player in league history to reach 2200 (Jay Thorimbert & Geoff Snider)
