DULITH, Ga. (March 17, 2023) – The Georgia Swarm take a road trip this weekend, paying Eastern Division rival, the Philadelphia Wings a visit. The last six meetings between the two foes have been decided by one goal.
A lot of tension lies between the Georgia Swarm (2-8) and Philadelphia Wings (5-6) as they always play a tough game against one another. Philadelphia holds a 6-3 advantage in the all-time series against Georgia. Philadelphia won the last five meetings, clinching the last one, 13-12 on Dec. 17, 2022. During the 2021-22 season, all three Swarm vs. Wings matchups went into overtime with Philly claiming the win each time.
The Swarm’s win streak came to an end last week after falling by one (19-18) to the Rochester Knighthawks. Lyle Thompson recorded his second 10+ point game of the season after totaling three goals and seven assists on the night. Thompson now ranks 11th in league points, tallying 63 (28G, 35A). Shayne Jackson followed Thompson in points against the Knighthawks with eight and lead the squad in goals, notching five. During the affair, Jackson surpassed his 300th career goal now totaling 302.
After defeating the New York Riptide earlier in the season, the Wings fell 13-10 to the Riptide last week. Prior to the loss, Philadelphia upset the Toronto Rock, 11-10 during Week 14. Philadelphia is led by Joe Resetarits who leads his team in points (68), goals (27), and assists (41). Ben McIntosh follow Resetarits in points (46) and goals (25) while Mitch Jones ranks second in assists (28). However, Jones ranks fourth in the league in points, totaling 79 after recording 35 with the Vancouver Warriors earlier this season.
Georgia and Philadelphia rank 10th and 11th, respectfully, in goals for per game with the Swarm averaging 11.50 per game and the Wings 11.27. The Swarm rank second overall in power play record, converting 24-of-41 (59 percent) opportunities. Andrew Kew ranks first in power-play goals in a single game, sinking four against Albany (Feb. 25) while Lyle Thompson sits second, recording three against Buffalo (Jan. 14). The Wings sit 11th in power play record, converting 20-of-44 (45 percent) chances.
When Georgia and Philadelphia went head-to-head earlier this season, Craig Wende started in net, totaling 32 saves and a .727 save percentage. Brett Dobson played 6:18 minutes in net that day only facing one shot. Since then, Dobson has become the Swarm starter, posting two wins, 247 saves, a .750 save percentage, and a 12.23 goals against average. Back in December, Zach Higgins earned the win in net, comprising 37 saves and a .755 save percentage against Georgia. Higgins now ranks fifth in NLL saves, totaling 427 along with five wins, a .790 save percentage, and a 11.81 goals against average.
Georgia ranks eighth in penalty killing record, stopping 17-of-32 (53 percent) power plays.TJ Comizio averages 2.00 caused turnovers a game, forcing 20 this season; he currently leads the team and ranks sixth in the league. After totaling two blocks this weekend, Adam Wiedemann now ties Mike Manley for first on the team with nine.
Philadelphia marks the first stop on the Swarm’s two-game road stretch. Following the Wings, the Swarm face the New York Riptide in Nassau Coliseum. Georgia and New York are neck and neck in the Eastern Division standings with the Riptide sitting sixth and the Swarm in seventh.
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