Georgia Falls 18-9 to Buffalo in Gas South Arena

DULUTH, Ga. (January 7, 2023) – Four milestone achievements wasn’t enough for the Georgia Swarm (0-3) as they dropped its third-straight game of the season, falling 18-9 to the Buffalo Bandits (3-1).

The night started off with 2022 first round draft pick Brett Dobson making his first career NLL start in net. Other firsts of the evening came in the second quarter when 2021 first round draft pick Ryan Lanchbury scored his first career NLL goal. Additionally, Lyle Thompson eclipsed his 300^th career assist, posting three goals and two assists on the night. Captain Jordan MacIntosh picked up his 1,500^th career loose ball, making him the 10^th NLL player to do so all-time.

Dobson and Craig Wende shared time in net with Dobson logging 48:48 minutes, totaling 29 saves and a .674 save percentage. Wende totaled 11:12 minutes between the pipes, recording eight saves and a .667 save percentage.

Andrew Kew continued to show his dominance on offense with the Swarm, leading the team in points (6) and assist (3). Kew and Lyle Thompson led the squad in goals, recording a hat trick, both of their firsts of the season.

The Swarm were down by seven (9-2) at the nine-minute mark in the second quarter. With the aid of Kew twice, Lyle Thompson and Lanchbury, Georgia erased their deficit to four (10-6) before the end of the half.

Buffalo came out of the locker room firing four unanswered goals in the third quarter, marking the second time this season Georgia went scoreless in the third frame. Buffalo’s Brad McCulley and Ian MacKay netted back-to-back goals to open the fourth to leave the Swarm scoreless for 24:17 minutes.

TJ Comizio ended the scoring drought after Kason Tarbell grabbed the loosie and found Comizio in transition. Lyle Thompson and MacIntosh sunk shots in the remaining four minutes of the game, but it wasn’t enough for the team to rally behind.

Buffalo’s Tehoka Nanticoke (4G, 4A) and Kyle Buchanan (3G, 5A) led the floor in points, notching eight each. Dhane Smith ended the night scoreless but totaled seven assists while Matt Vinc recorded 30 saves and a .789 save percentage.

Georgia and Buffalo play each other back-to-back with the next contest taking place at KeyBank Center in Buffalo, N.Y. on Saturday, Jan. 14, at 7PM ET. This marks the Swarm’s first road game of the season and the start of a two-straight away streak.