DULUTH, Ga. (January 13, 2023) – The Georgia Swarm pack their bags for the first time this season as they face the Buffalo Bandits on the road. The Swarm and Bandits faced off against one another last week and meet again this Saturday, Jan. 14 at 7:30 PM ET.
Last weekend, the Georgia Swarm (0-3) took its third loss of the season, falling 18-9 to the Buffalo Bandits (3-1). Half of the Swarm’s wins all-time against the Bandits are on the road, totaling six. Georgia looks for its seventh road win and 13th overall, in franchise history against Buffalo.
Buffalo is currently riding a three-game win streak, topping the Toronto Rock 11-8 (12/17/22), Halifax Thunderbirds 18-13 (12/30/23), and the Swarm 18-9. Last week, four Bandits recorded hat tricks in Brandon Robinson (5G, 1A), Tehoka Nanticoke (4G, 4A), Kyle Buchanan (3G, 5A), and Josh Byrne (3G, 4A), while Dhane Smith totaled eight assists.
Georgia’s Andrew Kew led the team in points and assists, totaling three and three, respectfully. Kew tops the Swarm in points (17), goals (7), and assists (10) while Lyle Thompson follows with 13 points, six goals, and seven assists. Against the Bandits Lyle Thompson notched his first hat trick of the season and dished out two assists, eclipsing the 300-career assist mark.
The Swarm’s offense improved on power-plays finding the back of the net on 2-of-4 opportunities. Rookie Ryan Lanchbury netted his first career NLL goal on a power play as TJ Comizio notched the other man-up goal in transition. Georgia’s defense shut down Buffalo’s lone power-play, making it the second-straight game where they held opponents scoreless on man-up opportunities.
Brett Dobson started his first NLL game in net, totaling 29 saves and a .674 save percentage across 48:48 minutes played. Craig Wende played 11:12 minutes between the pipes, comprising eight saves. Buffalo’s Matt Vinc held down his backline, totaling 30 saves and a .789 save percentage.
After the Swarm face the Bandits, Georgia goes on a two week break before suiting up again. Georgia’s next game is on Friday, Feb. 3 in Denver, Co. where they face NLL defending champions, the Colorado Mammoth.
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