DULUTH, Ga. (February 3, 2022) – This weekend, the Georgia Swarm (2-4) competes in a home-and-away double-header against the Albany FireWolves (3-2). The action begins on Harrah’s Cherokee Casino and Resort Field on Friday, Feb. 4 at 7:30 P.M. ET, and then both teams travel to MVP Arena in Albany, N.Y. on Saturday, Feb. 5 for a 7:00 P.M. ET faceoff.
The Swarm are coming off a low-scoring overtime loss to the Philadelphia Wings on Jan. 29 and now sit sixth in the Eastern Division standings. Georgia had a 6-2 advantage over the Wings heading into halftime, but the Swarm relinquished five unanswered goals and only mustered one goal in the second half to push the game into overtime. After three strong Swarm defensive sets in the extra frame, Philadelphia clinched the golden goal with 8:39 left in the first OT period, handing Georgia its second overtime loss of the season – both to Philadelphia.
The Albany FireWolves are currently riding a three-game win streak after defeating the Halifax Thunderbirds (Jan. 29; 8-6), the Philadelphia Wings (Jan. 15; 9-8) and the Saskatchewan Rush (Jan. 8; 10-5). In the last three games, Albany has averaged 9.0 goals per game compared to the Swarm’s 9.67 goals per game. On the season, Albany tops the National Lacrosse League defensively, surrendering only 9.0 goals per game through 5 games, while the Swarm has surrendered 11.0 goals per game through six.
The all-time series between the Albany FireWolves (formally New England BlackWolves) and the Georgia Swarm is 25-16 in the Swarm’s favor. Fourteen of Georgia’s victories were claimed on its home turf, while they are 11-10 on the road.
After last weekend’s NLL matchups, Lyle Thompson now ranks third in league points (35) and goals (15). After totaling eight points against the Wings when they met on Jan. 8, Philadelphia held Thompson to one goal and two assists last week.
In the month of January, Mike Poulin recorded 161 saves averaging 40.25 saves per game. The Swarm’s starting goaltender amasses 230 saves throughout six games, 10.78 goals-against average and .782 save percentage. Poulin has one more game between the pipes under his belt compared to the FireWoleves goaltender, Doug Jamieson. This season, Jamieson totals 194 saves in net, 9.02 goals-against average and .812 save percentage. Throughout the last three wins in net, he averages 38.33 saves per game.
As Thompson tops the Swarm standings in points (35), goals (15) and assists (20), Jordan Hall follows in points (22) and assists (16) while Shayne Jackson sits second in goals (10). Last weekend, Jackson and Bryan Cole were the only two Swarm players to record multiple goals netting two apiece with one of them being a power play goal.
Albany’s offense is led by Ryan Benesch and Andrew Kew. Benesch leads his team in points (20) and assists (13) while Kew ranks first in goals (10). When the FireWolves defeated the Thunderbirds on Jan. 29, Benesch registered three points (1g, 2a) while Kew tallied one goal and one assist. Joe Resetarits, the team’s second leader in goals, was Albany’s frontrunner in points notching four (1g, 3a).
Prior to the Swarm vs. Wings game on Jan. 29, Georgia scored on 33.3 percent of man-up opportunities. Against Philadelphia, the team notched 3-of-4 (75.0 percent) man-up goals. In the last two games the Swarm are 5-of-9 (55.5 percent) on power plays compared to the FireWolves’ 3-of-8 (37.5 percent) man-up goals.
The Swarm’s backline is led by Kason Tarbell’s eight caused turnovers while Jordan MacIntosh, Chad Tutton, and Connor Kirst are tied for second totaling seven each. Tutton played tough defense against the Wings forcing two turnovers and collecting seven loose balls, he currently ranks ninth in team loose balls (23) while MacIntosh leads the way with 50.
After the Swarm hosts the FireWolves on Harrah’s Cherokee Casino and Resort Field at Gas South Arena on Feb. 4, both teams hit the road and face each other the next day at MVP Arena in Albany, N.Y. Following the Feb. 5 matchup, Georgia hosts its third-straight home game on Feb. 12 when they invite the New York Riptide to town for Native American Heritage Night.
Chad Tutton: Needs to cause four more turnovers to achieve his 100th career forced turnover; he will become the second Swarm player to do so since 2011
Jordan Hall: Needs two games played to reach 200 for his career
Jordan MacIntosh: Needs 16 faceoff wins to achieve 1,651 and pass Stephen Hoar for 6th place in league history
Mike Poulin: Is four wins away from his 100th career win, which would make him the fourth NLL goalies to do so all time
Mike Poulin: Is 112 saves away from his 6,000th career save
