DULUTH. Ga. (February 9, 2023) – The Georgia Swarm and Toronto Rock go head-to-head in the first game of the back-to-back series against one another this Friday night at 7:30 PM ET. Georgia looks to snap its five-game losing streak as they have yet to clinch their first win of the season.
The Georgia Swarm (0-5) fell 13-10 in a close back-and-forth battle to the Colorado Mammoth (4-3) last week. Seth Oakes turned heads as he recorded a hat trick in the second-ever game he suited up with the Swarm. Andrew Kew continued to be a dominate force on offense after giving out seven assists and netting one goal.
The Toronto Rock (6-2) is currently riding a five-game winning streak not losing since Dec. 17 in an 11-8 affair against the Buffalo Bandits. Toronto is coming off a 22-14 win over the New York Riptide, a game that started the second quarter tied at four. Tom Schreiber led the floor in points and assists, notching 15 and 12, respectfully.
The Georgia Swarm and Toronto Rock faced each other twice last season with both teams taking a win on the road. Georgia secured a 10-6 road win to open the series as Toronto won the second meeting, 13-9. Saturday marks the 29th matchup all-time between the two organizations. Georgia holds a 15-13 record over Toronto, clinching seven of those wins at home.
The Swarm are led by Kew’s 29 points and 21 assists while Lyle Thompson tops the team in goals with 12. Georgia’s offense ranks fourth in power plays, landing 12-of-21 (57 percent) man up shots between the pipes. The Swarm rank 12th in goals for per game, averaging 10.20 (51 total).
Schreiber, Toronto’s top offensive threat ranks second in NLL points (56) and goals (24) while sitting fourth in assists (32). Corey Small also sits on the league top-10 leaderboard in points, recording 41 (21G, 20A). The Rock totals the second most goals scored in the league, totaling 113. Toronto averages 14.13 goal per game, sitting first in the league. Toronto’s backline averages 9.25 goals against per game, ranking first in the NLL.
Both teams have active defenders in transition as five total players rank top-7 in defenseman points. For Toronto, Mitch de Snoo (9G,7A) ranks first with Latrell Harris (3G, 8A) and Brad Kri (3G, 5A) in third and fourth place, respectfully. Georgia sees TJ Comizio (1G, 6A) and Adam Wiedemann (5G, 1A) rank fifth and sixth, respectfully, among NLL defenders.
Brett Dobson started the last three-straight games in net, totaling 113 saves, a .750 save percentage, and a 13.02 goals against average this season. Toronto’s Nick Rose marks the best save percentage in the league, posting a .810 save percentage as well as 295 saves and a 8.98 goals against average.
Friday marks the first game of the back-to-back series against the Swarm and Rock. Following the conclusion of Friday’s game, both teams face each other once again the following week on Saturday, Feb. 18 in FirstOntario Centre at 7:00 PM ET.
Swarm Spotlight
- Andrew Kew leads the team in points (29) and assists (21) while sitting second in goals (8)
- Lyle Thompson tops the squad in goal and shots, recording 12 and 56, respectfully; Thompson sits second in team points (23) and third in assists (11)
- TJ Comizio leads Georgia in caused turnovers, forcing 11; Comizio ranks tied for first in NLL shooting percentage (100 percent) and tied for fifth among NLL defender in points, totaling seven (1G, 6A)
- Adam Wiedemann ranks second in NLL defenseman goals, scoring five; Wiedemann ranks tied for sixth in NLL defenseman points, totaling six (5G, 1A)
- Georgia ranks fourth in NLL power play record, converting 12-of-21 (57 percent) man up opportunities
- The Swarm rank 12th in goals for per game, averaging 10.20 (51 total) and 13th in goals against per game, averaging 14.20 (71 total)
- Brett Dobson started the last three-straight games in net, totaling 113 saves, a .750 save percentage, and a 13.02 goals against average this season
Eye on the Rock
- Tom Schreiber ranks second in league points (56) and goals (24) while ranking first in shots (119)
- Corey Small is tied for eigth place in NLL points, totaling 41 (21G, 20A)
- TD Ierlan is tied for third across the league in loose balls, scooping 96
- Mitch de Snoo has blocked 10 shots in eight games, ranking him tied for third in the NLL
- Brad Kri totals 18 caused turnovers, placing him second on NLL leaderboards
- Goaltender Nick Rose leads NLL goalies in save percentage, averaging .810 percent as well as ranking third in saves with 295
- De Snoo leads NLL defenders in points (16) and goals (9) while ranking third in assists (7)
- The Rock sunk 16-of-36 (44 percent) power play goals while stopping 25-of-40 (62 percent) man up opportunities
- Toronto ranks first in goals for per game, averaging 14.13 (113 total) and first in goals against per game, holding foes to 9.25 per game (74 total)
Milestones
- Brendan Bomberry needs one point to reach 100 in his career.
- Shayne Jackson needs seven points to reach 700 in his career.
- Kason Tarbell needs one loose ball to reach 100 in his career.
- Jeremy Thompson needs 16 loose balls to pass Steve Toll, becoming the eight-leader all-time in loose balls with 1,563
Where to Watch
- Watch LIVE and in person for tickets as low as $15 a seat at georgiaswarm.com/tickets
- ESPN+ – Use your ESPN+ account (or create a new one) to watch the game live Friday, February 10, 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 Friday, February 10, 2023, and all season long
