Swarm lose late lead to Roughnecks, 16-12

#93 Johnny Powless – Photo Credit: Paul Sasso

SCORING SUMMARY

Team
1st
2nd
3rd
4th
Final

Georgia Swarm (4-8)
3
5
3
1
12

Calgary Roughnecks (6-7)
4
2
4
6
16

Official Box Score: Roughnecks 16, Swarm 12

NLL.COM

(March 25) – The Georgia Swarm (4-8) could not hold onto a late lead Friday night against the Calgary Roughnecks (6-7), falling 16-12 at Harrah’s Cherokee Casino Field at Infinite Energy Arena.

Things looked promising for the Swarm who built an 11-8 lead after forward Shayne Jackson tallied his third hat trick of the season with 2:35 remaining in the third quarter. Unfortunately for Georgia, Calgary would score the game’s next eight goals to send the Swarm home with their fourth consecutive defeat.

Despite the loss, rookie transition player Chad Tutton continued his strong play, notching a career-high three goals to go along with five loose balls. Forward Josh Gillam registered two goals in his second appearance of 2016, and captain Jordan MacIntosh also added two scores.

“We talked about keeping our composure, but I think we tried to force a couple looks,” Swarm head coach Ed Comeau said. “When you’re down to a possession game like that and give away a few possessions, it makes it difficult when you’re not getting anything and they’re getting looks at the other end. They made some nice plays; they play hard, a lot of veterans over there.”

Leading the Roughnecks in scoring were forwards Curtis Dickson, who scored a game-high 11 points (6G, 5A) and Dane Dobbie with nine points (4G, 5A).

After trailing 4-3 in the first quarter, Georgia responded nicely in the second quarter, outscoring Calgary 5-2 to build a 8-6 halftime lead. Both of MacIntosh’s goals came in the second quarter; Georgia’s captain also collected a game-high 18 loose balls and three forced turnovers.

A pair of rookie forwards also posted solid numbers for the Swarm as Randy Staats recorded a team-high four points (1G, 3A), and Jesse King posted three points (1G, 2A).

“We are a young group, but that doesn’t count for anything in the standings,” Comeau said. “We got to go out and play and compete with the teams in this league.”

The Georgia Swarm and Atlanta Rollergirls will be “Seeing Double” as they team up to bring a one-of-a-kind doubleheader experience to Infinite Energy Arena on Saturday, April 2.

Fans will be able to catch both the exciting action of pro lacrosse and roller derby on the same night, with one ticket. To kickoff the evening, the Swarm will face off against the Buffalo Bandits at 7:05 p.m. at Harrah’s Cherokee Casino Field. Immediately following, the Atlanta Rollergirls will compete in a derby bout against the Blue Ridge Rollergirls (Asheville, North Carolina). Fans are encouraged to visit www.georgiaswarm.com/arg to purchase tickets and use the promo code “Roller” to receive special event pricing.