Swarm loses in overtime to Knighthawks

A strong fourth quarter for the Georgia Swarm (5-7) was ultimately to no avail as the Rochester Knighthawks (6-6) took the season series against Georgia with an 11-10 OT home win on Saturday night.

Lyle Thompson (3G, 1A) and Kiel Matisz (1G, 3A) both finished the night with four points. Goaltender Mike Poulin earned the loss after 46 saves in 61:30 min. of action. He posted a 10.73 GAA and an .807 SV%.

Cody Jamieson came out scoring for the Knighthawks, but Matisz and Lyle took the lead for Georgia near the end of the first quarter.

In the second quarter, Jordan Hall widened the Swarm’s lead to 3-1 before Jamieson scored again. Rochester retook the lead with two more quick goals. Miles Thompson tied things back up at four apiece before the Knighthawks finished the quarter with two more goals. At the end of the first half, Rochester was up 6-4.

Georgia tied things up again quickly within the first 2:34 min. of the third quarter courtesy of team captain Jordan MacIntosh and Jerome Thompson. Rochester responded with a three-goal run of its own, taking its largest lead of the night, 9-6.

The fourth quarter started with a stickside goal from Lyle, followed by three more to retake the lead. The Swarm was unable to hold onto the lead as Eric Fannell netted the game winner, and for the second time this season, Georgia went to overtime, tied at 10.

In overtime, the Swarm played four-on-four ball due to penalties against both squads, and 1:30 min. in, Kyle Jackson netted the game winner with an ankle-high shot past Poulin. Georgia fell 11-10.

Rochester was led by Jamieson and his six points (2G, 4A). Brad Gillies, Austin Shanks, Joe Resetarits, and K. Jackson all finished the night with three points (1G, 2A) the exact same way. Goaltender Matt Vinc got the win after making 38 saves on 48 SOG, good for a 9.76 GAA and a .792 SV%.

Georgia returns home on Sunday, March. 18 to take on the Buffalo Bandits. The Swarm will be hosting its 3^rd annual Heroes Night presented by Axiom Corporation. In honor of our nation’s heroes, the night will feature a 12-minute musical military tribute at halftime and a 30-minute postgame performance from Wolfy’s America. Faceoff is set for 4:05 p.m. ET.

Early arriving fans will receive a camo rally towel courtesy of Axiom Corporation. Fans can purchase tickets at GeorgiaSwarm.com/Heroes or by calling 844-4-GASWARM.